Chapter 2 – First Impressions

Superman sat alone in his fortress of solitude. Usually the crystalline structure would offer him some solace. It was his own little corner of the world where he could relax and find peace. Today however peace would not settle upon him. He walked the lonely corridors, his mind roaming over the most recent events of history. It had been three months since Lois had disappeared. Three months of searching the planet for any place that she might be. Three months of futile effort. Add to that the typical day to day stress of saving Metropolis from one threat after another and the guilt he shouldered for losing his wife and one could see why he sought such solitude.

However the fortress only reminded him of the times he shared with Lois. Every room he entered he saw echoes of his past life with Lois. Past conversations trickled to the forefront of his mind. He could see her face, her smile, the chaotic twinkle that sparkled in her eye when she had a story that she was working on. She lived for the news. She longed for a mystery to unravel. It was that nose for the truth that attracted him to her. It was at the very least one thing on a list of many.

And now she was gone. He had searched the entire planet for her, from top to bottom. She was nowhere to be found. He searched from the darkest jungles of South America to the sweltering deserts of Africa and each day was as fruitless as the last. He had even used the systems on Watchtower to scan the earth for her distinct bio-readings, but nowhere on earth were any signs of Lois Lane. Superman's spirit was slowly dwindling. Then a familiar voice echoed through the crystalline halls.

"Clark, its Bruce. I have been doing some research on the blue box that you said you saw." came Batman's disembodied voice.

"What did you find?" he responded grimly. The dark knight had successfully captured his attention.

"According to some top secret files I have unearthed from a now defunct special forces unit in Britain called Torchwood, the blue box that you have found is called the Tardis. It stands for 'Time And Relative Dimensions In Space'. The blue box has actually been seen throughout the centuries and recorded in a variety of different ways. There have been sightings in ancient Egypt, stories telling of a blue box in Aztec lore, I have even discovered a painting done by Picasso himself that was an abstract of the same blue box."

"So what are you saying Bruce? Is this some sort of immortal? Some sort of god that lives forever inside a blue police box? That seems a little farfetched. Since when did you start believing in fairy tales Bruce?" Superman said sharply.

"I don't believe them. I have been able to verify all these stories on my own though. I even purchased the Picasso. It's not as farfetched as it seems. No more than say an orphan from another planet that gets super powers from a yellow sun." Superman squinted at Batman's response. Sarcasm never was Batman's strong suit, nor was sympathy.

"How reliable are these sources of yours?" He questioned.

"The Torchwood is a non-existing government program that answers only to British rule. It's very similar to Area 51 here in the states. Torchwood was formed in 1879 by Queen Victoria herself and their files date back just as far. They are quite extensive. It was created in order to protect the British Empire against the threat of alien forces. So I would have to say they are quite reliable."

"A top secret branch of the government designed to protect against alien incursion. How exactly did you get these files if they are defunct, and don't exist in the first place?" Superman asked. There was a long drawn out silence.

"The person that is known to operate the Tardis is one called 'The Doctor'." Batman continued avoiding the question all together. "According to the files he is not a god as you would put it but more described as an alien. However the reports get convoluted as they implicate him as starting as many of the alien disturbances as he stops. So it's still not clear as to his intents and purposes. He has taken several forms throughout the years so either he has some kind of shape shifting ability or perhaps able to swap forms. Usually he travels with several companions who, according to the files, are to be considered as equal of a threat to national security as the Doctor himself. And just to warn you, the defunct Torchwood is not quite as terminated as they would like us to believe. They have quite the extensive file on your alien activities as well." Just then Superman could hear an alert beacon in the background of the intercom.

"What was that?" He asked curiously wondering if he was needed somewhere.

"Thanks to the Torchwood files, I was able to isolate and extrapolate an energy signature that is unique to the Tardis. I programmed it into the Watchtower computers and set up a global scan. That was notifying me that a similar signature has been found."

"Are you telling me you found the blue box?" Superman questioned. His went eyes wide.

"Yes. The Tardis is located in Cardiff." Now it was Batman's turn to receive no response. "Clark, be careful. There is no telling the extent of this being's capabilities." But the intercom remained silent. Superman was already out of his fortress and on his way to Cardiff, a simple red streak, soaring across the arctic skies. Something very precious had been taken from him. He would not rest until it had been returned.

xXxXx

When all was said and done, it had been quite the refreshing trip. It usually was when the good Doctor traveled with the Ponds. Throw in his future wife River Song and an adventure was sure to ensue. And ensue it did. It was quite the romp it was. And just like always it had started with the most innocent of all endeavors. Who knew that a simple run to fields of Diagonia 12 to watch the blooming of the Jentin groves would have turned into such a haphazard misadventure? The Doctor knew. Or at least he had the inkling of the idea that such a thing would happen.

He so did enjoy traveling with company. It sure did beat traveling alone. He let out a soft sigh as he opened the door to the Tardis and stepped out onto the streets of Cardiff. He had just left the Amelia and Rory in a nice little cozy hideaway in the Alps for some much wanted alone time. That was right after he dropped River off at her cell. So here he was in Cardiff, home of a stable lay line of energy that the Tardis could use to recharge her batteries. Which left him alone. Always alone.

He didn't even have the antics of Captain Jack Harkness to lighten his spirits. Ever since Torchwood shut down his trips to Cardiff became increasingly uneventful and dull. He walked along the streets, his hands tucked deep into his pockets. It was a sad and lonely existence, being the last of his kind. He slowly replayed the events of his life in his mind. The faces of all the different companions he had had throughout the years. The smiles and adventures they had shared. And as always his thoughts would eventually come full circle to the goodbyes that they shared as well.

With his mind deep in the fog of his own memories he barely had noticed when a woman approached him. She was an older woman, mid to late forties. Her hair was matted grey with streaks of blond. In her hands she had a bundle of fliers, one of which she thrust toward him.

"Excuse me sir, have you seen my Jenny?" She asked a hint of sorrow in her voice. It was this inflection of sadness that pulled the Doctor out of his own melancholy haze. It was always easier for him to avoid his own feelings by helping others. He accepted the flier and looked at it as the woman continued. "She was last seen three days ago in this neighborhood. She has blond hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a pink sweater. Have you seen her?"

"I'm afraid not Mrs….?" He asked, a soft comforting smile on his face.

"Mrs. Hagen sir."

"Fantastic, Mrs. Hagen. You said your Jenny has been missing for three days now?" he questioned? She nodded her ascent.

"I went to the police right away I did. But those good for nothings said she had to be missing for at least twenty four hours before they could investigate. And when I went back they told me they would 'do their best'. Their best!? It's been three days since I saw my little girl. Heaven knows where she is or what has happened to her."

"Well it's settled then. I will be more than happy to help you find your Jenny, Mrs. Hagen." He replied eagerly. Perhaps a bit too eagerly given the situation. But there was nothing like a good mystery of the missing daughter to pass the time while the Tardis was recharging. "Now you say she was last seen in this neighborhood? Excellent. Why don't I have a poke around and see what I can find. Stay right here, back in a tic." He removed his sonic screwdriver and flicked it open with a snap of his wrist. A move he had done dozens of times before. He glanced at the readings and began walking down the street, far more enthusiastically than he had previously. The woman watched him curiously for a moment or two before she continued to pass out fliers.

The Doctor rounded the corner and found an alleyway tucked between a small convenience store and a butcher shop. He tilted his head to once side, his eyes narrowing. He brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead and looked down the street.

"Well if I were one to go missing, that seems like the perfect spot to go missing in." he said quietly to himself. There was little lighting, and even in the mid-day as it was the height of the surrounding buildings had cast the alley into deep shadow. Cautiously he walked down the alley his eyes peeled for any signs of… well anything really. He flicked open his screwdriver again and glanced at the readings.

"Now that seems oddly familiar." He was registering something that he knew he should recognize but didn't. The alley turned a corner behind the butcher shop, and unfortunately it reached a dead end right there. He crossed his arms over his chest and glanced around pondering. The back door to the butcher shop was locked tightly. Beside it there was a short stairwell leading to the shops basement. On the opposite side of the alley was a tattered green dumpster. He flipped open the screwdriver once more and read the readings. What were they? Why should he know this? He changed the setting on the device to narrow the field array. It beeped repetitively as he meandered around the alley, but it grew faster as he approached the dumpster.

"Ah ha… that's more like it." He said to nobody. He pushed the dumpster to one side and sorted through the refuse that lined it.

"And what do we have here?" he asked out loud. He reached down and picked up a scrap of pink cloth. Judging from the fabric it very well could have been a sweater. The Doctors mind raced. There was a trace amount of blood on the swatch of cloth… quite possibly Jenny's blood. He swallowed as his mind calculated the facts and reeled with what was the only outcome. But he had to be sure. He would take the swatch back to the Tardis and run it through the systems there. If what he feared was correct the situation might just be a lot direr than he had first thought. Tucking the piece of cloth in his pocket he exited the alley and started to run back to the Tardis.

On the way he passed Mrs. Hagen again and skidded to a halt. He ran up to her and flashed her the best hurried smile he could muster.

"Mrs. Hagen. Have no worries I think I have found your daughter. Well not your daughter exactly per say, but I think I have a clue that could lead me to your daughter. Unless the clue is something far worse than it is, which I imagine it very well may be, but if that's the case then your daughter may actually be the least of your worries. Right? Right. Um… stay here. I'll be back." And before the good woman could even raise an eyebrow at the odd man he was off again.

He ran several blocks to where he had left the Tardis. He had already formulated several plans in his mind depending on the severity of the situation. However, before he could put any kind of plan into motion he had to know what he was going into motion against. While he had an inkling of a suspicion what he needed was concrete proof. Even though the Tardis was recharging, it had ample power to be able to do a full spectrum diagnostic on the piece of cloth. He rounded the corner and the Tardis came into view. Time certainly was of the essence here so he hurried as quickly as he could to the Tardis. However, just as he got near, everything became a blur.

xXxXx

It had happened so fast the Doctor barely had time to comprehend what was going on. One minute he was about to enter the Tardis, the next he was sprawling on the roof of a nearby tenement building. It took a great deal to stun the good Doctor into silence, and the man of steel had done just that. The Doctor sat there where he had been dropped, staring directly at the man who abducted him. The dark haired man was still floating a good foot above the roof. Awe inspiring was too little of a word for it. The man in blue and red had swooped from the sky and plucked the Doctor from the street, much like an eagle or falcon would snatch up its next prey. The Doctor shook his head gently things coming back into focus.

"Where's Lois." He barked at the Doctor.

"I'm sorry who? I'm not sure who you're talking about." The Doctor picked himself up and dusted himself off. "This Lois person you are looking for? Was she abducted from this area too?" Perhaps there was a link between this person and Mrs. Hagen's Jenny. If that were the case things were going to get increasingly more difficult.

"You took her and I'm here to get her back." Superman said as he landed atop the roof. The Doctor looked at him a bit quizzically. He didn't recall taking anyone.

"My um… good fellow. I believe there has been some mistake. I don't know of any Lois. But I would be…"

"You are the Doctor, right? I saw her get into your Tardis and disappear. So I know you have her. If you don't give her back I will tear apart that box until I find her."

"Yes, I am the Doctor. " Now he looked even more puzzled. But he didn't have time for this. If Lois and Jenny had been taken they were in need of help now. "But no, I do not know of this Lois. I did not take her, nor do I have any intentions of taking anyone. Now if you'll excuse me, it is imperative I return to the Tardis before something disastrous happens."

"I'm afraid I can't let you leave. Not while Lois is still being held prisoner, and seeing as how you are the last person who has seen her. You need to tell me what you did with her." Superman reached out and grabbed the Doctor by the shirt hoisting the man up off his feet. The Doctor showed no signs of resistance. In fact, the only real expression he showed was amusement.

"You aren't exactly from around here are you?" The Doctor asked reflexively. It wasn't the response Superman was expecting. He arched a brow. "Right, obviously not. I mean, no normal person can do what you did. Are doing. What were we talking about? Ah yes. Lois, don't know where she is. But if you just…"

"I know all about you Doctor. You are a menace. You have brought alien forces to our planet time and time again. Whether purposely or not, you have put lives in jeopardy with absolutely no consideration for anyone but yourself. Where ever you go, destruction and misery follow. I don't have time for your games Doctor whoever you are. Just tell me where Lois is or you will never set foot on this planet again."

"Are you mad? Have you not been listening to me? Well obviously you haven't. I do not bring… well… not purposely… I mean… do you know how many times I've saved this planet? This universe? I mean some of my favorite people are here." The Doctor sighed. For the most part what the spandex clad hero was saying was correct. If it weren't for him being here the earth wouldn't have had nearly as many aggressors against it as it had. Even though he did save it multiple times over; in many different time streams.

It was then that a soft whine was heard by both the Doctor and Superman. It was the sound of some type of machinery powering up. It was a sound that was all too familiar to the Doctor. Suddenly an ionic particle ray seared the air and a flash of bright white light tore across the rooftop heading straight for the Doctor. As fast as the beam was, Superman was even faster. Dropping the Doctor to the rooftop he intercepted the beam and caught it full in the chest. It exploded into a shower of sparks and crackling energy.

The beam staggered the man of steel, forcing him to take half a step back. Across the rooftop a metallic being shimmered into view.

"Well that's a new trick." The Doctor said as he watched the man of metal materialize from seemingly thin air. A chill began to run down his spine as his previous suspicions were confirmed. "Cybermen." He said under his breath. Apparently upgraded Cybermen to boot. The first of the Cybermen stood across the rooftop from them, a ionic rifle in its hands. It was soon joined by another then two more, then another five. All materializing into view just as the first had done. It wasn't long before a whole squadron of Cybermen stood across from them. Each in turn began charging their rifle. The same soft whine repeated two dozen times.

"Destroy the Doctor." Came the metallic voice of the first of the Cybermen.