The Doctor's Daughter
Chapter 7 – The Nestene Consciousness
With that pleasant thought from the Doctor, they trouped outside and met the Auton versions of Donna, Jack, Martha, and Mickey by the gates to the Tower. "We have been granted an audience with the Nestene Consciousness," the Doctor informed them evenly.
"We know," Auton Martha responded robotically. "We will guide you." They turned and began walking away in unison.
"Hope everyone has comfortable shoes," Gwen remarked and Amy grumbled, scuffing her heeled boots. It was a long way and everyone was on red alert and ever vigilant just in case it was a trap. The Doctor was the only one not remotely phased by what was happening, he strode confidently behind the Autons chattering about his issues with Admiral Nelson.
"I really don't understand your problem with him Sweetie," River shook her head. "I thought he was a lovely man."
"It was a matter of principle, he accused of me being a cheat," the Doctor insisted. "I made one hit during a round of Battleship and he got all huffy about it. The man had an ego bigger than whole British navy."
"So what do you think about your first day on Earth Jenny?" Amy asked.
"Is it always like this?" Jenny asked.
"Not really but it feels like it," Rory shrugged.
"Fantastic," Jenny beamed. "Wouldn't want things to get boring."
"Atta girl," the Doctor grinned over his shoulder.
"You are so your father's daughter," Amy rolled her eyes. "Does this means Jenny will be staying on the TARDIS as well?"
"We'll talk about it after things calm down," the Doctor answered. "With the Pact around, I think it would better if she stayed somewhere more permanent until they've been dealt with."
"What? You mean like going into hiding?" Jenny frowned. "Father I can take care of myself."
"I know that Jenny, I just want you to be safe. Like I said, we'll talk after," the Doctor concluded and everyone fell silent after that. They continued walking until they finally came to Trafalgar's Square bustling with cars and people. The Autons signalled for them to follow them down an inconspicuous alley way across from the square. The Doctor surreptitiously passed back the psychic paper to them and said, Be careful what you say, their hearing is very sensitive. Sky, you have the anti-plastic, if things go wrong just throw it on the Consciousness. Do not hesitate. You'll have about a minute to get out before the Consciousness explodes. Worst case scenario, get back to the TARDIS and get out of here. River you know what to do. All of them could see the elephant in the plan but with Autons so near, they couldn't risk being heard which most of them realized was how the Doctor had planned it. River particularly looked ready to shoot the Doctor. The Autons had lead them to very end of the alley where there was a small grate in the ground. They removed the grate and they saw a ladder leading into the darkness. The Autons indicated for them to go first. "Doctor," River said in a sugary sweet voice as they moved to climb down. "You dropped this." She handed him the psychic paper and whatever was written on it amused the Doctor.
"Thank you Doctor Song," the Doctor chuckled. "Could've done without the illustrations though."
"Just making sure you got the picture Sweetie," River was the first down the hole, followed by the Doctor, then Jenny, Sky, Amy, Rory, Gwen, and Ianto. The Autons went last, replacing the grate at the same time. Another short trip through the twisting passages and they arrived to a massive stone room. They couldn't be sure but it was probably right underneath Admiral Nelson's monument. The Nestene Consciousness was in a huge vat in the centre while a stone staircase ran along the side, leading to a loft-like platform attached the wall. There on the wall, the real Donna, Jack, Martha, and Mickey were chained. The prisoners were slumped until they saw their friends and immediately began calling to them.
"YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"DOCTOR! IS THAT YOU?"
"GET OUT OF HERE IT WILL KILL YOU!"
The Doctor held up a hand and they fell silent, "How did you survive?"
"They brought us food -" Donna began but the Doctor cut her off.
"No not you, him," he nodded at the vat. "We meet again." The vat with its orange lava gurgled. "Yes it has been a while. I thought I had killed you." Gurgle. "Who saved you?" Gurgle, gurgle. The Doctor laughed. "You're avoiding the question, don't worry I have an idea. Anyway the blonde one is gone."
"Wait you mean," Mickey kicked his foot towards the Nestene Consciousness. "It's the same one?"
"The very same, diminished since our previous encounter, but yes," the Doctor jogged up the stairs and onto the platform. "Unfortunately I cannot offer you any mercy, the Pact has left me with no choice but to eliminate you." Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, pop. "I know it looks that way but think about it, HA Consciousness…think about it…get it?" No one answered and the Doctor coughed awkwardly. "Right yes anyway, consider for a second that there is time storm raging around London right now. No one gets in, no one gets out unless the Pact leaves. Now that can happen one of two ways; I hand over my friends and allow them to be killed, not likely, or I destroy you and the Pact is forced to move on. Either way, they have to end the storm so they can leave. If I were to destroy the Pact, the storm would remain, this time for good. Don't you see? They planned this in their favour, you are the dispensable one in this whole equation. Unless…" The Consciousness began to pulse and boil. "Calm down, calm down, I did say unless didn't I? You could always lie to the Pact, say you've killed the Children of Time." There was some rumbling that shook the very ground. "I see, well then I am truly sorry they have done this to you."
"Why can't it lie?" Jenny looked at the Doctor.
"The Pact will want to see proof, your bodies, and they will know real from fake, the dead from the living," the Doctor sighed. "I am so sorry ****" He used a word in a language that none of them, not even River understood but they all assumed it was Gallifreyan. The Nestene Consciousness began to heave and expand, almost spilling over the vat. "Hang on, there's no need for that," the Doctor begged but the Autons grabbed the others in vice grips and began hauling them towards the platform. "This is what they want you to do!" The Consciousness began spit and hiss. "This is NOT my fault, THAT wasn't my fault." By this point, everyone was on the platform. Auton Donna shoved the Doctor off the platform before joining the others facing the prisoners, hands opening to reveal weapons. "NO! LEAVE THEM ALONE!" The Doctor roared as he charged back up the stairs but a warning shot from Auton Mickey stopped him in his tracks. That was all the opening necessary for River to knock down that one and take on Auton Martha next to him. This then allowed the others to charge forward begin to fight but the Autons weren't giving up easily. The Doctor got back on the platform and tried to sonic the others' shackles to no avail. "Where are the keys?" he demanded.
"Up there on the wall," Donna jerked her head to spot far above their heads.
"Jack give me a boost," the Doctor stepped up on Jack's hands, snagging the keys. He hopped down and opened the chains but an 'Uh oh' from behind made them turn to a startling new sight. Apparently while they had been distracted about a dozen more Autons appeared, these ones not resembling anyone, more like living mannequins. The Donna, Jack, Martha, Mickey ones joined them forming a wall and trapped the group. Even with the real Donna, Jack, Martha, and Mickey, all of whom still very weak, they were severely outnumbered.
Suddenly an idea occurred to Sky, "Doctor," she said as softly as possible but enough for their group to hear her.
"Sky," the Doctor hissed back thinking she had forgotten the Autons could hear her.
Sky tried to make as meaningful a look as possible, her eyes deliberately going to each team member, "You have the anti-plastic I gave you right?"
Thankfully the Doctor caught on quickly, "I gave it to River."
"I passed it Amy," River whispered and imperceptibly nodded her understanding.
"I gave it to Rory," Amy pinched her husband lightly.
"I handed it to Jenny," Rory mumbled.
"I gave it to Gwen," Jenny continued quietly.
"Ianto has it now," Gwen mumbled as she raised her fists.
"Slipped it into Jack's pocket," Ianto mirrored Gwen.
"Really?" Jack patted his pants and pretended to find something. "Huh, interesting."
"You know what to do Jack," the Doctor said faintly.
"Yup, sadly I do," Jack sighed and took a second to build up some energy before straight at the Autons, bowling over some and falling onto the floor with Autons giving chase.
"Gwen, Ianto, get them out of here," the Doctor ordered and the rest of prisoners were lead out by the Torchwood team. Those that remained tried to help Jack as he made to climb the vat but one of the Autons shot him mid-climb and he fell to the floor dead…for the moment. The autons searched him but couldn't find any anti-plastic. The Consciousness pitched and boiled.
"Of course we were lying," the Doctor laughed. "Now the question is, which one has it?"
But before the Autons could move Sky replied loud and clear, "That would be me," she was back on the platform with the blue vial uncorked and in hand. She threw it as hard as she could and it landed squarely in the vat. The blue liquid caused the Consciousness to bubble violently, all of the Autons began to fall and flail about.
"RUN!" the Doctor shouted. Jack still hadn't revived yet so they worked together to pick him up and took off. They pelted through the passages as the ground rumbled at their feet. Jack came around only to realise he was being carried the Doctor, River, Rory, and Amy.
"I've had dreams like this," Jack grinned.
"Not now Jack," the Doctor said exasperatedly. Right then, there was an almighty explosion that took them off their feet. It take some time to untangle themselves amidst the limbs and coughing, dust and dirt that had come loose in the blast hung in the air. They spared a glance down the passage to where the Consciousness had been.
"GUYS?!" Gwen's worried voice came from ahead.
"Come on," the Doctor waved an arm forward. "Let's get out of here."
A/N: Hey guys, I know some of this didn't make much sense but I promise there was a reason behind everything. I'll clear it up in the next chapter promise. Until next time, ENJOY! R&R PLZ!