Chapter 4: Into Time and Space
Thanks to everyone who read or reviewed or followed. The reviews make me so Happy and inspire me to write more. And to those of you who asked questions I am going to answer them in the author's note
To BewaretheWalkers: Glad you like the story. As for your theory, maybe, maybe not. It shall be a surprise to be uncovered.
To Beulah2013: They will find know, eventually. As for her Gran, who she is will be revealed later, but I did address the other issue in the chapter. And for your last question, Christina is 16 and she looks like a teenager, so but The Doctor and Martha know she is a teenager.
To Guest: You will just have to wait to find out.
To Guest: Like I said, the Doctor will find out, eventually.
Well all questions answered, hope you like the story.
Previously…
Inside was a giant cavernous room, it had coral like pillars supporting the roof and wires going everywhere, and in the center of the room was the grand master piece: A giant consul with a glowing rod in center and a board covered with levers, buttons, knobs, and switches of every kind. In the middle of the entire splendor was the Doctor, grinning like a mad man.
"So, Christina, fancy another adventure?"
"But…But…it's…it's…." I stammered. There was no way this was possible. This took every law of matter, of physics, of gravity and just chucked it out the window. There was no way this was real, no absolute way. It was straight out of science fiction novels. More like straight out of you wildest dreams, Christina. After looking around fervently, I ran back out to get another look at the outside. It was the same as before, a Blue Police Call box, nothing bigger than the standard telephone booth. I stepped back inside slowly and looked around carefully. It truly was beautiful.
"If this is real…" I said slowly, "This puts the Enterprise to shame." I laughed nervously. The Doctor grinned wider, if that was even possible.
"You bet it does!" He whooped running behind the consul. "Starfleet has nothing on this. Come over here." He waved me over. Now that my shock was wearing off, excitement was building up. I was in spaceship, a real spaceship! With a real alien! It felt like I was dreaming. I ran over to where the Doctor was by the consul, and I ran my hand all over the device, taking it all in. There were a few I recognized, or at least had a vague idea of what they did, while some were completely foreign.
"Is this the Artron Mainframe?" I asked pointing to what look like a Guider Counter at the top of the consul.
"Yep, and this is the…" The Doctor started pointing to rotating lever.
"The Temporal Stabilizer?" I finished.
"Yeah, and these are the materialization and dematerialization switches." He grinned pointing to two big switches side by side. I was in heaven.
"But how do they keep the molecules from separating during dematerialization?" I asked staring at the levers, studying them. "Wait, don't tell me. Let me guess. This button," I said pointing to button by the switches. "Freezes the molecules after dematerialization so they remain stable?" I asked. He nodded. "That's amazing! Were did you get all the technology? This is beyond Earth." He gave her an incredulous look. "Oh, right forgot you were an alien for a second. But seriously this stuff is amazing." I began running around the consul, gazing in awe at all the different devices.
"You have got External Receptors, a Fault Locater, Fluid Links. This is every science fanatics dream. And it's all here." I laughed. "What is this?" I said pointing device I could not even describe.
"That's the thing that goes ding." And sure enough right after he said that the device went ding. "See. It goes ding I love things that go ding." He grinned.
"I prefer bing myself." I laughed. "Now what's this do?" I pointed to a knob surrounded by what looked like short-circuited wires.
"That's the Chameleon Circuit. It's what makes it look the way it does on the outside. It broken though, that's why the TARDIS is stuck looking like a police box." He said.
"Is that what the ship is called? The TARDIS?" I asked. He nodded.
"Yep, and I think she rather likes her name, don't you?" it seemed he asked no one and then a faint beeping was heard.
"Was that the ship, she can communicate with us? She is alive?" I asked. This was so much cooler than anything I could have hoped for. The Doctor scoffed playfully.
"Course she is alive. What, you think she was just a big hunk metal? Nah, she is alive and can hear everything we are saying." He sated matter-of-factly. With that newfound knowledge I raised my head and shouted to nowhere in particular.
"In that case, you are AMAZING!" I shouted to the ship. "Just amazing." And the TARDIS made sort of happy beeping noise in response. "Was that, is she talking to me?" I asked dumbfounded.
"Beeping to you more like, means she likes you." He said.
"What does TARDIS stand for?" I asked.
"Time and Relative Dimension in Space, but that's a bit long to say, so TARDIS for short." He said.
"That's cool so…wait, did you say TIME? As in…?" I started but he cut me off.
"This is a time machine AND a spaceship. Pretty great, right?" He laughed, his voice rising an octave.
"So great. This technology…is beyond amazing. The human race is nowhere near this, but then again you aren't human…" I paused. "What are you?"
"Time Lord." He said a bit more seriously, his tone growing dark. But he immediately perked back up.
"But I don't think you answered my question, so Christina what do you say? Just one trip of course, then I'll bring you back safe and sound to your Gran like I promised. So we have a deal?"
What do I say? This is what I have been waiting for. But what if I don't make it back? We did almost die last time. But the Doctor promised he would get me back to my Gran, and he seems he keeps his promises. But do I want to push my luck; I could die at any time. But was I really afraid of death? It had been knocking on my doorstep. Speaking of death on my doorstep, could I risk going without treatment? But on the other hand, he did say just one trip. How long could that take? A Day? Maybe two? On the other side…
Bloody Hell, Christina, just say yes already!
"Yes!" I blurted out as fast as I could. He grinned and so did I.
"Brilliant. Glad to have you aboard. Now let's go get Martha shall we?" he said, starting to flip switches on the TARDIS. "You might want to hold to something." He laughed as he flipped the final switch and the TARDIS jerked, forcing me to immediately grab hold of the consul, clutching for dear life and laughing all the way.
When we landed, the Doctor headed for the doors, and I was about to follow him when he stopped me. "It might best for you to wait in here. Just while I explain things. I'll be back in a minute, just don't wander off." He said as he slipped out of the TARDIS, leaving me in the ship.
"We just traveled in TIME, and you want me to stay inside." But he had already left. "That's fine." I said to no one but myself. "Leave me all alone in a spaceship." The TARDIS hummed. I laughed. "It's too bad I can't understand you, with all the places you have been you must have some great stories. Wonder what it's like, going to all those places? Seeing all those people? Not that I would ever get the opportunity to do it. This one little trip is as close as I will ever get, but that's okay. There are downsides to all the traveling, I'm sure. What with all the people you have to leave behind…Gran! I haven't told Gran where I am! She is probably having a panic attack for the second time today! I have to call her. Thank you for talking some sense into me." I ran to grab my mobile out of my bag as the TARDIS hummed in reply. I dialed Gran's number and she didn't pick up. Of course she didn't, she is probably to busy looking for you. So I left a voice mail.
"Hey, Gran. It's Christina. I bet you didn't answer your phone because you are looking for me. Sorry about running off, I didn't mean to scare you. Just wanted to let you know I am okay. I just…might be gone for a bit. I'm…I'm going on an adventure Gran. Just like all the ones you went on. I'll be back soon, and I promise I will be careful, so don't worry. I'm in good hands. The machine is gonna go off soon, so I guess I should wrap this up. Just wanted to say that Gran, I…" But the machine cut me off before I could finish. I looked at my mobile dejectedly before turning it off and putting back in my bag. As I turned back the Doctor came through the doors and up to the consul. He then started flicking switches and pressing buttons; preparing for a takeoff.
"Wow…uh why are you still there?" he asked looking shock.
"What do you mean? Don't tell me that was the one trip?" I exclaimed.
"No it's just, you didn't wonder off." He said bemused.
"Well you said not to." Where was he going with this?
"Even when I say that most people don't listen…it's… refreshing." He smiled.
"Never mind refreshing, what happened? Where is Martha? Did she not want to come?" I asked, already bracing myself for the takeoff.
"Nah, she just needs a little proof. Doesn't quite believe me about the whole time travel bit." He stated.
"After everything today, she doesn't think time travel is possible?" I implored. Before the Doctor could respond the TARDIS took off, and landed quite quickly. The Doctor ran over to the door, and then turned back to me.
"Come on we don't have all day. Well, technically we do. Time Machine and all that but…oh you know what I mean, just hurry up." He urged.
"Oh, so NOW I can leave the ship." I teased. He rolled his eyes. I stepped, out of the ship to discover that outside it was morning. Morning!
"Oh my gosh we really did it! We just traveled in time!" I exclaimed but the Doctor had already moved down the alleyway, and turned back to give me a pointed look. "Yep, sorry. Hurrying up." He led us out into a crowded street, where we were moving against the crowd, I might add. Ahead off us, I saw Martha.
"Doctor, are you sure we are allowed to do this?" I asked. "Aren't we at risk of breaking some rules of time travel?" But it was too late because we were already face to face with Martha.
"Like so." He said taking off his tie. "See?" he asked before walking off. I turned and looked at him, and then I looked back at Martha, who had the most flustered look on her face. I laughed nervously, remembering what Martha had told me earlier. "Oh, today is gonna be fantastic!" And then I ran off to follow the Doctor back to the TARDIS.
We got back, this time the Doctor ushered me out with him. Martha was waiting there, and the Doctor began to put his tie back on.
"Told you." He smirked.
"No, but, that was this morning. Did you? Oh, my God. You can travel in time." She stammered. "And you." She pointed at me. "Where did you come from?"
"I was waiting inside cause someone didn't want me to come out."
"But hold on. If you could see me this morning, why didn't you tell me not to go in to work?" she asked.
"Crossing into established timelines is strictly forbidden." He said seriously. "Except for cheap tricks."
"So this is your spaceship?" she asked, placing a hand on the TARDIS.
"It's called the TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimension in Space." He grinned.
"Oh wait till you see the inside Martha. It's beautiful." I urged her. So hesitantly she stepped inside and the Doctor and I followed her. The look on her face was priceless as she took in the splendor of the TARDIS.
"No…no…" she stuttered, running outside then running back in. "But, it's just a box." I laughed, and went to go stand by the Doctor at the consul. "It's bigger on the inside…"
"Really. I hadn't noticed." He smirks. "Right then let's get going."
"But is there a crew, like a navigator and stuff? Where is everyone?" Martha asked walking over to them.
"Just me." He said quietly.
"That's okay, we… we can form our own crew." I said trying to ease the tension. "You are the Captain, Martha is the Commander, and I am the Lieutenant." But no one would accept the change of subject.
"All on your own?" Martha kept questioning.
"Well, sometimes I have guests. I mean some friends, traveling alongside. I had. There was recently, a friend of mine. Rose, her name was. Rose. And we were together. Anyway." He stuttered sadly. So that was the Rose he said I had sounded like. I couldn't help but noticed how sad his eyes went talking about her or the pain on his face, as if pealing a band-aid of a fresh wound.
"So, anyway. Just one trip, to say thanks. One and then home, for the both of you. I would rather be on my own." He said getting the TARDIS ready.
"I doubt that." I said and he looked at me strangely. "That you want to be alone I mean. No one wants to be alone, not really. I know I don't." he looked like he was about to reply, but then shook his head as if thinking better of it and going back to the consul.
"You were the one that kissed me." Martha laughed.
"That was a genetic transfer." The Doctor defended.
"You do where a tight suit." She teased.
"And have great hair." I laughed.
"Now don't…" he continued.
"And you did come halfway across the universe to ask me on a date." She grinned.
"And to kidnap a little girl. Honestly Doctor you should be ashamed." I finished.
"Stop it." He protested and Martha and I shot him innocent looks.
"For the record, not interested. I am only into humans." Martha noted sarcastically and I laughed.
"Well, Good then, off we go." And we no warning the Doctor flipped the final switch causing the TARDIS to shake. I latched on to the control panel and looked at Martha who was smiling widely.
"Welcome aboard Miss Jones, Miss Christina." The Doctor laughed. Martha and I glanced at each other and replied in perfect unison.
"It's our pleasure Mr. Smith."
Another Chapter down. Next up: the Shakespeare Code. Review if you like. Tile next time.
~The Bookworm