(Doctor's P.O.V)
He struggled against the two burly arms which had wrapped around both of his biceps and were currently pulling him away from Rachael and out of the interrogation room.
Narrowed eyes watched her form disappear behind the metal door as it slammed shut in his face, his thoughts pounding simultaneously against his skull as they begged for his attention.
"Just who was she? How did she know about Rose? Why did she talk as if she was familiar with him, he had never met her before…then again there was something about her…her appearance, her name, which triggered a memory, one he couldn't quite recall…perhaps he was talking nonsense, he couldn't remember having met her before, it could just be his age. More importantly, was she from his future?"
There were so many questions he needed answers to and these men had stopped him from finding even one acceptable reply. Said men had come to a stop in front of Mr Van Statten and he pulled his arms out of their grip when he realised they were going nowhere else, wiping down his jacket and glowering at them from the corner of his eyes.
His attention was diverted by Van Statten mock scolding him, "Now, now Doctor, I can't have you breaking all my toys" referring to his earlier confrontation with the Dalek.
He scowled openly at Van Statten "Breaking? I wouldn't have hurt her" he scoffed before adding "What? So suddenly she's your property?" whilst raising his eye brows questioningly.
"Anything alien belongs to me" Van Statten said as if stating a fact.
"What makes you think she's an alien?" The Doctor retorted his final pretences at getting along with the man completely gone.
"You saying she's not? Well apart from the fact she spewed out that weird gas stuff I heard you in there…" he nodded his head towards the interrogation room, "Parallel worlds you said, oooohhh the possibilities, can you imagine?" Van Statten exclaimed, his eyes shining with greed.
"She's still human, you have no say over her" the Doctor snapped back feeling aggravated by the man's one track mind, all he cared about was helping himself. It was disgusting.
"Oh don't I? If she's travelled through Parallel worlds then she won't be missed from any one here, not just that but I also heard a mention of time travel. You think I could let such a gem go?" he sneered.
"You didn't even care about her five minutes ago!" the Doctor raised his voice as he glared down at the arrogant man before him. As if he would let this idiot go through with what he was planning.
"That was before I found out her backstory" Van Statten explained with a smirk "And she's not the only one with an interesting background. Don't think I overlooked your conversation with the Metaltron" he finished before glancing at Goddard.
"You talked about a war?" she asked after nodding discretely at Van Statten's look.
"The Time War. The final battle between my people and the Dalek race" the Doctor explained as briefly as possible, not wanting to go into this now.
"But you survived, too" Van Statten commented making him frown.
"Not by choice" he replied his persona now subdued.
"This means that the Dalek isn't the only alien on Earth. Doctor, there's you. The only one of your kind in existence" Van Statten pronounced whilst giving him a smile that revealed far too many teeth for comfort.
"eh…I think I might be in a bit of trouble…" he thought far too late to get away as the guards once again apprehended him.
…
(Rose's P.O.V)
She soon found herself in a workshop of sorts where the boy who's name she had discovered was Adam had begun to show off some of his "toys."
His enthusiasm reminded her of a certain time traveller and she couldn't help but laugh along with him as he explained what his job was, he being so cute certainly helped matters.
Still…despite all his stories and bits and pieces he had to show her she couldn't help but find the place somewhat lacking.
Maybe it was because of everything the Doctor had shown her but she just didn't find it as interesting as the stuff he could be doing if he was a bit bolder, she decided to voice these thoughts.
"So, wouldn't you rather be downstairs? I mean, you've got these bits of metal and stuff, but Mister Van Statten's got a living creature down there" she exclaimed trying to engage his interest.
"Yeah. Yeah, well, I did ask, but he keeps it to himself." He explained before a sly look came across his face and he added, "Although, if you're a genius, it doesn't take long to patch through on the com system."
"So does that mean you can check up on the female?" she questioned as innocently as she could manage.
"Well, yeah I guess but-…" he started however she quickly cut him off sensing his hesitation.
"Come on, you were there too, don't tell me you're not interested?" she questioned noticing the look of consideration on his face. Deciding to give him that extra push she added, "Oh! I see…her security must be too hard to hack…sorry I didn't reali-…"
"Pfft of course I could get in, look I'll show you" he scoffed interrupting her whilst typing into his laptop, entering some sort of code to override the system.
She moved to look over his shoulder as he spoke, "According to protocol she's most likely in one of the interrogation rooms…" he trailed off a moment before he exclaimed, "Aha found her. Cage D…here we go." And a screen appeared on the computer monitor.
Video footage began playing giving her a field of vision that was diagonally looking down at the girl from earlier also enabling her to notice that the girl's hands were bound behind her back.
The girl was currently being antagonized by one of the guards who was standing right in front of her, leering down at her as he shouted, "Well?!" into her face.
She flinched but otherwise didn't react until the man grabbed a fistful of some of her loose waves, scrunching them up in his hand before pulling her head backwards by them and forcing her to look up at him.
The girl let out a small "ah!" which was quickly covered up by a hiss as she closed her mouth but her pain was visible all the same through the way her body remained tense.
Rose turned to Adam aghast, "Is this live!" she demanded.
Adam looked perplexed as he stepped away from her somewhat warily stammering out, "Well, er, yes. I mean it-…"
"They can't treat her like that! She hasn't done anything!" she interrupted appalled then added, "Where's the Doctor?"
"I don't know" he replied uselessly.
"Take me down there now" she commanded utterly furious.
…
(Rachael's P.O.V)
It wasn't as strong as hate per say but it was definitely more than a mild dislike.
That was the sort of emotion I felt as I stared up at the guard who was currently gripping my hair and thus responsible for the current feeling of pain shooting through my roots which felt like they were moments away from being torn from head.
The thought that I could leave this place with a bald spot caused me to scowl and bite down on my lip to quell the hiss which had been escaping me previously.
"I. Don't. Know" I pronounced clearly for perhaps the tenth time to his ridiculous questioning, making sure to pronounce each word clearly so he got the picture.
Suddenly the hand gripping my hair pushed forward sending my head into motion. The table grew before my eyes and I was far to startled to let out a cry as my forehead met with metal surface of the table before me.
I was aware of the pressure on my hair disappearing the second the *clang* made itself known and I was left to slump across the table as the guard who had been questioning me could be heard making his way towards the door.
I would have moved my arms towards my head to touch it in some feeble but all the same small amount of comfort however the handcuffs prevented this and I instead opted to groan out loud as the door to the room slammed shut.
I lay there a moment with my eyes shut feeling the pain spreading outwards from the point of origin, "This was some mean joke…if it even was a joke…"
I must have hit my pretty head hard if I was starting to believe the doubts which had plagued me since the Doctor had left.
I missed Natasha; she'd know what my next move should be. Hell if she'd been here she'd have warned me away from trouble before I could even get into it. Huh...I never thought I'd miss her constant worrying.
I even missed Jo Jo…okay I missed her just as much. Sure she annoyed me but we were twins, two halves of the same coin. She'd at least cheer me up about now; making her mouth go and rambling about this and that in order to lift the mood.
Her persona would change as she became all hyper, chattering away at a pace which would leave any listener baffled.
Natasha and I would complain at Joanne to slow down and as usual Joanne would ignore us and continue on her train crash of words leaving Natasha and me to exchange bemused looks and all our worries would seem that little bit smaller.
But they weren't here...this time I was on my own.
I used every inch of my will power to lift my head off the table and sit up straight when I heard the door frame rattle signalling someone's arrival.
Moving my back against the chair I kept my head hung and my eyes shut so that the light wouldn't bother me as much.
"Are-are…are you okay? My names Rose Tyler, are you hurt?" an unacquainted with and yet completely familiar voice questioned me.
My eye's widened and I once again became aware of my breathing as I fought with the urge to pinch myself.
Slowly I lifted my head and whispered, "Throats a bit raw but I'm fine" my eye's made contact with her own as I added, "Name's Rachael Carter."
Rose's mouth dropped open as she slowly stepped forward giving me a good look at her, "Your, your head!" she spoke shocked as she moved closer to me followed by a cautious Adam.
"What about it?" I questioned displeased that I was unable to accommodate to the sudden impulse I had to examine it due to my hands currently being bound.
She stepped even closer so she was now standing by my side just shy of my personal bubble as she reached out a hand towards my forehead. I automatically flinched and went to raise my arms. She saw the slight movement and jerked back only to be surprised when I didn't follow through, the room instead being filled with the rattling of my handcuffs which naturally drew their attention.
"I'm sorry" I apologized adding, "I've never liked strangers touching me."
She sent me a puzzled look which was quickly covered with her own bashful one as she added, "No, I shouldn't have scared you like that."
"I wasn't scared" I retorted, it wasn't my fault if I was jumpy around strangers. Plus who could blame me after everything that had happened, before she could respond I continued, "Where am I?"
Her brow furrowed as she asked, "You don't know?"
"I was a bit out of it when I arrived encase you didn't notice" I explained as a quick excuse deciding it was the safest option to go with at the moment.
"More than a bit" Rose added with a slight smile before she added, "Your underground, somewhere in Utah. This whole place belongs to some Van Statten guy."
"He's not just "some guy"" Adam interrupted before adding, "He owns the internet you know?"
I frowned as they recited what sounded eerily like something from the Doctor who episode Dalek, "were they really planning on taking the prank this far?"
Deciding enough was enough and that the only way to end the prank was to "fall" for it I commented "Well that's not right…the only time Van Statten was in Utah was when he had the Metaltron…" easily feigning confusion.
"You know about the Metaltron?!" Adam spoke and it again surprised me how accurate these doubles were.
"Never mind that!" Rose interrupted effectively silencing us as she looked from him to me, "You said time...are you like the Doctor?" she question apparently more to herself before she nodded, "The Doctor will know what to do, it's time to get you out of here and to him" she finished whilst going behind me and messing with my handcuffs.
"You can't do that…" Adam stammered out before adding, "You'll get us in trouble, there's no way the guards will let her out!"
"You said it yourself, she knows about the Metaltron so we'll pretend to take her to it to see if they know each other. While we're at it we can see if that thing needs our help before we go and inform the Doctor. Trust me, he can help" Rose finished around the same time a familiar click went off.
"How'd you do that?" I questioned as I slipped the cuffs off, once more rubbing my wrists.
She held up a small silver key and smiled with her tongue between her teeth, a wicked glint in her eyes as she said, "Snuck it from the guards while Adam here was busy showing off his access card, thought we might need it."
Adam on his half had his mouth hanging open and looked utterly stunned, I myself opted for a similar expression which quickly morphed into one of joy as I said, "Prank or not what you just did was amazing!"
She shared my expression although frowned at my statement before dismissing it as she headed for the door saying, "Adam, we'll need you to lead us to the right door so be ready."
"This is mad completely mad" Adam muttered to himself as he made his way to stand in front of us however his expression was just as excited as ours.
Turning back whilst pausing by the door he asked one last time, "You sure you want to do this?"
Rose bit her lip before nodding resolutely saying, "It's what the Doctor would do" causing Adam to face the door once more.
As the door opened I was filled with apprehension and judging by Rose's tense posture she was to, reaching out I gave her hand a quick squeeze earning a surprised yet grateful look from her before we both faced forward once more.
A part of me was sad to see the practical joke come to an end because I knew it would now that I had agreed to see the Metaltron. It was impossible for them to have gotten a hold of a Dalek so I knew it was over. They would probably reveal the set up once we entered the room where the supposed thing was.
"Ah well…time to wrap things up…"
The second we approached the room the guards tried to stop us, "trying to stop me finding out the room is empty hey? I don't think so" I thought as I charged right on through past Rose and Adam only partly aware of said boy excusing our presence, something about level 3 access.
…
"No way…"
My feet came to halt a short distance from the doorway as my eye's came to rest on the far side of the grey room where four lights stood in a rectangular shape around the pepper pot looking creature that I had only ever seen on the television.
I released the breath which I belatedly realised I had been holding as Adam and Rose entered the room, a distant part of my brain taking note of the door closing shut behind them.
I ignored Rose as she slowly edged towards the creature and introduced herself. I was far too busy staring intently at the lit up blue eye stalk that was pointing almost sadly downwards.
"Yes" the thing replied in a slightly crooked voice.
"What?" Rose asked curiously, watching it sympathetically.
The eye stalk slowly lifted to look at Rose, "I am in pain, they torture me, but still they fear me. Do you fear me?" it asked the lights on its head flashing as it spoke.
"No" Rose answered her gaze softening as she took in the state of this creature.
This creature that shouldn't even be here, it couldn't be here…
"They don't exist."
"Impossible" I muttered my own thoughts and yet it still caught the attention of the Dalek whose eye stalk swivelled to face me.
I gulped under the blue gaze feeling unnerved by the sensation of being stared at intently but being unable to figure out what said being was thinking. It was like when someone wears a mask, it had that strange ominous vibe to it and I couldn't help but want to hide away from it.
I was amazed at how calm Rose could act around it…though maybe it was because I knew what Daleks were capable of and she didn't, ignorance being bliss had never rung so true before…
Rose looked between us before gesturing at me, "This is Rachael, she's a bit like you, she knows what you've been through…kind of. You were both held against your will, I can help you like I helped her." she commented referring to how we had both been prisoners, obviously trying to break the ice.
Despite her being ignorant of what Daleks were capable of that single sentence sent shivers of disgust through me and my whole face scrunched up as if to repel it away, her words being cut off as the lens in the Dalek eyestalk seemed to turn as it looked at her.
If she didn't know any better she could swear the Dalek studied her more intently before turning its gaze back to Rose and stating "I am dying."
"No, we can help" Rose protested displeased, "We can save you, you'll see" she added.
"I welcome death. But I am glad that before I died I have met a human who was not afraid" the Dalek croaked out in the closest tone that one of its species could get to that of sadness.
Despite how evil they were I once again found my emotions being pulled at as they had in the episode at this point and I couldn't help but pity it as I said, "Death should never be the acceptable answer" gaining stares from all occupants in the room.
After a beat of silence Rose finally spoke, "Isn't there anything I can do?"
It was at this point I decided to check if the Dalek was real or not. I was starting to get emotional and I didn't want to be made a fool of encase this was a prank. If it was real I was aware this was around the time Rose would touch the Dalek and if I beat her to it perhaps I could save her without getting shot at myself.
I joined Rose in front of the Dalek as it said, "My race is dead, and I shall die alone."
Completely ignoring Rose as her hand hovered in the air I sneaked my hand under hers as she went to touch the Dalek, her fingers instead slipping through the gaps in mine so that the full palm of my hand touched the Dalek but only the tips of her fingers did.
"Wait! Rose, Rachael!" Adam yelled in shock just as Rose gasped and much to my surprise and horror I realised the Dalek felt warm beneath my hand as if it was actually alive…
My mind snapped to what was going on around me as my whole hand suddenly felt as if had received a sharp burn and slight prick all at the same time.
Quickly withdrawing my hand I felt my horror mounting as I was met with the sight of a fading golden hand print with the edition of five extra fingertip prints.
"Genetic material extrapolated. Initiate cellular reconstruction!" the Dalek proclaimed as it started moving more animatedly and the chains started breaking off of it. Still in shock that all this was real and not a joke, I was only half aware as Rose grabbed my wrist in order to pull me backwards a bit.
A man in an orange suit entered just as we had all backed off to the door yelling, "What the hell have you done?"
I choose to ignore his yelling too caught up in the rush of the moment, for some unexplainable reason that crack had been real and I'm now stuck in and episode of Doctor who.
"Oh my god I'm in the Whoverse…hang on…OMG the Doctor is real! I met the Doctor!" my thoughts begin to reel before snapping to a close as I recall this scene.
"Don't get to close! It's dan-…" I try to warn the man who was now standing right in front of the Dalek.
"Oh please" he starts condescendingly, "I think I know how to handle-…" but he doesn't get to finish as the plunger attaches to his face and begins to crush it.
"We have to g-go…" I stammer as I watch it come to an end horrified before turning and making to run out of the room practically tripping over my feet in my effort to get out of there as quickly as possible, Rose and Adam needing no extra persuasion.
…
(Doctor's P.O.V)
"Release me if you want to live."
Those were the words I uttered to Van Statten in my exhausted yet focused state.
I had known that no good could come from having the Dalek here especially since it had seen me but did he listen…no.
Not until now.
Not until the sirens had went off and he had been faced with the possibility of his own death.
Still I had no time to waste on matters such as the minds of corrupt humans, not now when I had to face off against the very plague of my existence, of the universe.
Adjusting my jacket, I strode down the corridor before breaking into a run towards Van Statten's office.
I was briefly comforted by the feel of the worn material against my skin. I was somehow stronger with it on, I was more than the weak old mad man, and my walls were once against rebuilt. I was now a time lord in his prime with his greatest weapon just waiting to be used…his mind.
Busting into office through the perfectly timed sliding doors I quickly took my place next to Goddard, directly in front of the screen displaying the area outside the cage.
Unfortunately the guards weren't the ones in front of the camera as I had expected, Rose was there.
"Of course she was, where else would one of your companions be but in the thick of it" my mind scornfully told me.
She wasn't the only one in front of the camera. Directly behind her almost like an extra shadow stood the girl I had only recently come to know as Rachael, her face drained of colour as her eyes shifted about edgily.
A part of his mind also registered the English boy in the background but he was already preoccupied giving out orders to really give him any care, "You've got to keep it in that cell" he demanded.
"Doctor, I'm sorry I-…" Rose began to apologize only to be cut off as a guard took centre stage on the screen.
"I've sealed the compartment. It can't get out, that lock's got a billion combinations" the guard informed him confidently.
They really had no idea what they were up against…
My hearts were the only thing which reflected my true worry as my outside appearance remained stoic as ever as I prepared myself to reply. As I was doing so the back of mind noted Rachael was the only one not paying attention to the screen instead she was looking over her shoulder with a frown.
Preparations done, I frankly replied, "A Dalek's a genius. It can calculate a thousand billion combinations in one second flat" it was the only way I could think of to convey just how serious I was about not underestimating it.
At my words the rest of them moved away from the camera and to the exit their gazes focussed on the codes which were starting to unravel themselves by the cage door.
All but one of them that is.
Rachael remained curiously in place, her figure unmoving on my screen except for when she turned her head to face the camera her eyes unreadable.
"I'll keep her safe" she spoke her eyes trained on my own leaving me with no doubt of whom she was talking to.
The second her message had been delivered she wasted no time striding towards the exit where the others were, leaving me with no time to question her words. She reached the group just as the doors to the cage opened and the Dalek moved into view.
I clenched my hands at the sight of it my anger tempered only by my curiosity as I watched Rachael draw Rose's attention as she grabbed Rose's wrist and said, "We need to go, now" in a clipped tone of voice.
Rose seemed to hesitate but quickly allowed herself to be dragged off the second the guards started opening fire at the Dalek, the two of them disappearing from view as they left the room.
"Good, Rose might make it out of here safe, there's still hope…"
His thoughts took a back seat as Van Statten yelled out "Don't shoot it! I want it unharmed!"
The Doctor ignored the imbecile in favour of trying to persuade the guards to get out of there.
Unfortunately he only saw only one of them disappear around the door before the Dalek shot the screen and his visual of the room was lost.
…
(Rachael's P.O.V)
My heart was racing. An overused line I realise but blimey! I hadn't been this aware of my own blood flow since that time in Africa when I came across that spider…
I hate spiders! Especially the fast moving ones!
And if the Dalek was my metaphorical spider then boy had I better run.
"I still can't believe this is all real. I'm seriously running from a Dalek with the Rose Tyler…Rose!"
Sparing a glance down I once again was shocked by own boldness at the sight of my hand wrapped around Rose's wrist as I partly dragged her down the corridor.
I hadn't meant to, not really but I couldn't help myself. I remembered how Rose had kept on stopping throughout this episode and how it had annoyed me. If she had just kept focussed on getting away then maybe she would have made it, she had been just moments off getting through the door!
In a moment of recklessness even for me I had decided I would change that, I would save her and without thinking through the challenge I was taking on I promised the Doctor I would keep her safe and followed through with said words.
"This wasn't some movie where the hero always wins. In the real world good intentions weren't always enough, you needed something more to succeed.
Would my foreknowledge be enough?
Then again this whole place was fictional so did that rule even apply? Urgh I hated having to think of the consequence…that was Natasha's job and it was Joanne's job to fix said consequences."
"Civilians! Let them through!" The voice I recognised as the female guard, De Maggio shouted from behind us just as we rounded the next corridor, successfully allowing us passage through the guards flanking the corridor.
My hand moved from Rose's wrist to her hand as I glanced towards her whilst keeping up my pace, refusing to think about the fate of the guards left behind.
"We can't stop running, Daleks have no concept of mercy so if it catches us that's it" I explained my voice strained due to my increased breathing.
"Oh well that's comforting" Adam retorted from a little bit ahead of us whilst rolling his eyes.
"How do you know?" Rose asked me her voice full of suspicion.
"I've seen them before" I answered curtly trying hard to keep my breathing even as my mind added on the end "on my TV of course, oh
sorry didn't I mention your whole world is fictional?"
Changing my attention to the guard keeping point I yelled at her, "De Maggio!" gaining her attention. "That's your name right?" I questioned at her confused look.
"Yes Miss but if it's all the same now is hardly the time for conversation" she spoke back her face strained under the burden of looking out for our group.
"Yes but you see-…" I started only to be cut off by Rose as she pulled away and turned into a stairwell leaving me to follow.
"Stairs! That's more like it. It hasn't got legs. It's stuck!" Rose yelled in glee.
"No!" my mind screamed at me, I thought I'd bought enough time to talk to De Maggio,I was just getting started as well.
"It's coming! Get up!" De Maggio yelled drawing my gaze to her even as I started running up with the others.
When it quickly became clear the others had stopped and weren't going any further I turned back from my position on one of the higher steps and back tracked.
"We have to keep moving, Daleks wouldn't be as feared as they are if they could be defeated by a flight of stairs!" I hissed whilst grabbing hold of Adam and Rose's arms.
"Just look at it! There's no way it can get up here!" Adam dismissed as it rolled into view.
I gulped feeling that time was running out, Rose must have noticed something was off as she went to reach for my shoulder but stopped short at my glare.
"Rachael, just calm down alright. Look if it was going to get us it would have but it's just sitting there" she pointed out gesturing at the Dalek who was as Rose had pointed out just sitting there.
Turning to her I gripped her arm tightly taking her by surprise as I hissed out, "Daleks are smart, they pay attention-…" I gestured to where De Maggio was trying to negotiate with the Dalek.
"…-I accept that we imprisoned you and maybe that was wrong, but people have died, and that stops right now. The killing stops. Have you got that? I demand that you surrender. Is that clear?" she was speaking whilst aiming her gun at the Dalek.
"They can also fly" I spoke watching as Rose's face drained of colour and her attention whipped to stairwell just as the Dalek spoke "Elevate!"
"Run!" I ordered feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline and grabbing both Adam and Rose by the elbow and directing them towards the upper stair case levels.
Perhaps it was my tone but both Rose and Adam stumbled up the stairwell as the Dalek hovered above the ground and began to advance
I turned my back on them even as I heard Rose gasp, "Oh my god!" as I moved away back towards De Maggio.
"That means you to" I told her firmly before latching my hand onto her arm and trying to pull her away.
She resisted though and pulled away before saying, "I'm staying here; I'll try buy you some time."
Scowling at her I hissed, "Need I remind you of your orders!" just as Rose yelled, "Come with us, you can't stop it"
"Someone's got to try. Now get ou-…" she began but her voice was cut off by a resounding *slap* leaving said woman in a state of shocked silence as a red hand print began to bloom on her face.
Taking advantage of her momentarily stunned demeanour I grabbed her wrist and this time facing no resistance pulled her with me as I began to run up the stairs, the sound of the Daleks gun hitting the wall where we had previously stood making a cold chill go down by my back.
Looking forward I rolled my eyes at the sight of Rose and Adam standing at the top of the next stairwell apparently having stopped to watch the events unfold.
"What part of "run" Don't you understand?" I scolded causing their eyes to widen before they turned tail once more as my voice brought them to the present.
It also brought De Maggio to the present as I saw he body stiffen in belated outrage and her mouth opened to speak, "What do you thin-…" she began but I interrupted her.
"Your orders. They were to keep the civilians safe, am I right?" I asked in a clipped tone which seemed to take her by surprise.
"Well, yes. But that doesn't-…" she began but I wasn't having any of it.
"And just how do you plan on doing that if you're dead?" I mock questioned shooting her a stern look whilst letting go of her arm.
She continued to keep pace besides me at least for the moment as we tried to make up for lost ground. Although the Daleks could fly I noticed that it took this particular one an awful amount of time to just hover off the ground.
Continuing where I left off as I looked forward I remarked, "If you're so desperate to play hero do it in other ways. Don't disrespect your friend's final wishes by going against his orders."
She seemed to consider my words as her brows slowly drew together, "How do you know that, you weren't there when my orders were given?" she eventually questioned.
"If we survive this I might just tell you" I told her with a wry grin earning a slightly baffled look in return.
"I'll hold you to those words" she eventually said, to which I nodded.
"No problem, I'm holding you to yours" at her confused look I nodded to Rose and Adam, "you promised to keep them safe" I added.
I made a promise without thinking it through but despite that I was still obligated to keep it. Having De Maggio on my side made it seem that little bit easier. The fact she was alive in the first place filled me with such warmth that it helped subdue the fear that had been eating at my mind ever since this chase began…it was hope.
After another pause she nodded before asking, "But what about you, aren't you a civilian?"
With a roguish grin I responded, "I'm a prisoner" my smile widening as her mouth dropped open.
…
(Rose's P.O.V)
I knew when I signed on to travel with the Doctor it would be dangerous but it seemed like I was only beginning to just grasp the full concept of it.
I don't know…I suppose…I suppose I thought that as long as the Doctor was by my side I would be safe….
I never considered what would happen if we got separated.
Now I was paying the price as I turned off the top of the staircase and down another corridor with said man nowhere in sight.
I glanced over my shoulder to check if the Dalek was following us, just about making out its shadow as it got nearer to the corner of the stairwell. Pumping my legs harder I moved round the next corner hoping to stay ahead of the Dalek with Adam doing likewise at my side.
Yeah, I could do this. The Doctor may not be here right now but all I had to do was reach him and I just knew I'd be safe.
Besides I had funny and cute Adam by mu side, not to mention we had our own personal guard and then there was Rachael…
She wasn't sure what to think about the girl, she was quite the mystery…
No one really knew how or why she came here and therefore if she was trustworthy. On the flip side to that she supposed that's what she must look like to Adam… Also the girl seemed quite intent on looking out for them so she guessed she couldn't be all that bad…
She remembered when the girl had grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the room. She had been unsure if she could trust her but some gut instinct had told her she was okay…or at least she was more likely to live with her than if she stayed with the Dalek.
When Rachael had changed her grip to take her hand she had gotten that same rush of excitement she always got when her and the Doctor were running for their lives.
In a strange way the girl reminded her of the Doctor only not as alien…
Way back when in the store when she first met the Doctor and he took her hand he had been just as strange, just as much a mystery to her as Rachael…in fact he still was.
Rose would be lying if she said she wasn't curious about the girl who had broken into an alien museum, had a near death experience, didn't hesitate at seeing a Dalek and yet flinched away from human contact unless she initiated it.
Not quite as mysterious as the Doctor but certainly enough of a brain teaser to gain her interest…and suspicion…
Perhaps she was an alien; perhaps she was up to no good she did break in after all…
Glancing over her shoulder once more but this time at Rachael who was talking with the guard whose life she had technically saved.
Rose had been more than gobsmacked at the girl's brazen solution to the problem and was slightly envious as somewhere deep inside of her she knew if it had not been for the girl Rose would have probably listened to the guard and just ran off.
For now that action would be enough for Rachael to gain her temporary trust though it still didn't mean she would stay quiet. Oh, No. She had questions to be answered.
"So this thing, Dalek yeah? Why can't we reason with it?"
Rachael grimaced apparently struggling to take a breath before she answered, "A Dalek is the living definition of hate. It can't be reasoned with" she said in a way which implied she thought the answer was obvious.
"Surely we can negotiate?" the solider…something Maggio had questioned.
"You don't understand" Rachael panted as they approached a wide open room, "The one thing a Dalek wants…no needs…is to kill…kill anything that isn't Dalek" she said with wide gaps in between where she tried to maintain her breathing.
She skidded to a stop as she entered the holding bay, startled to be greeted by a bunch of armed men.
"Hold your fire! You four, get the hell out of there!" One of the men shouted and she wasted no time running past him and to the entrance at the other side, followed by the other three just as the Dalek entered.
They should be fine now. With this many reinforcements that thing didn't stand a chance.
…...
(Rachael's P.O.V)
I withheld from grimacing choosing to instead set my mouth into a hard line as we ran through the loading bay as the man had directed us.
Oh yes I remembered with perfect clarity what was to come next and felt helpless to prevent it
Even if I could warn them in time would they really listen? And if they did I knew for a fact the Dalek would be upon them before they had a chance to evacuate.
Swallowing the lump in my throat I discretely rubbed at my eyes as Rose and Adam turned to survey the room we had passed through with De Maggio having her gun trained there also.
"You have to keep your aim on the eyestalk" I shouted but only earned a dismissive glance from the man in charge before he turned his attention back to his weapon.
"Keep moving" De Maggio ordered a couple of seconds after the Dalek came into view my earlier conversation with her having apparently motivated her.
Adam grabbed Rose's hand and began to drag her along and after glancing back one last time I made to follow only to freeze at the Dalek looking right at me.
Unlike Rose I already had a presumption at the reasons behind its actions so I didn't go into full on panic mode. All the same…I would be lying if I said the intensity of its focussed look didn't unsettle me.
Rose's voice arguing with Adam pulled me back into action "I know, but it was looking right at me" and I grit my teeth as I realised we still hadn't moved.
"Not now Rose" I half groaned, half demanded as I gave Adam a push forward on his back to start him off running before grabbing Rose by the elbow to snap her out of her musings, "Come on!" I ordered and then gave her a tug forward as I once again began to run, trusting De Maggio to follow.
"Okay, so….." I started to say as we ran up yet another level; "blimey I have never run this much before."
"Say you're in charge of this place, you have a creature loose which you know has killed before and bullets don't seem to have any effect on it….what would you do?" I asked, leaving the question hanging.
If I could just get them to realise how serious the situation was then maybe they would be more co-operative.
"I'd find a better weapon" Adam commented after moment's silence.
"Yeah you could…" I acknowledged before tilting my head at De Maggio who had a frown on her face and prompted, "But…"
Her frown deepened as she rejected Adam's idea, "But you couldn't…the weapons are stored on the other side of the complex…you'd have to get past the Dalek to get them…"
The silence that followed spoke more than any simple words could at our collective agreement on the probability of getting past the Dalek undetected, let alone surviving such a risk.
"Where are you even going with this?" Rose questioned.
"I don't know, why don't you tell me? You're the solider, the genius and the one with past experience…" I said gesturing to each in turn, "What would you do?"
Adam's eyes widened and a sickened look crossed his face as he whispered, "They wouldn't…"
"Oh? You're telling me you wouldn't?" I challenged back my words coming out scratchy due to my still irritated throat which added a certain menace to them.
"Wouldn't what? What is it?" De Maggio probed at the silence following my words.
Adam breathed harshly before saying, "They're going to seal us off…"
My expression turned grim even though I had known all along what was happening whilst Rose firmly protested, "No! There's no way the Doctor would let something like that happen!"
Rose looked furious but I think part of her anger was to cover up how scared she was. Well that's okay; she wasn't the only one scared.
Letting out a breath I gave her a hard look before saying, "Who says he'll have a choice?"
Rose's face crumpled and she opened her mouth as if to retort but no words came out. Instead it was De Maggio who spoke her words stern but a lot quieter, "Which floor do you think it will be at?"
This was where I had to be careful, I couldn't give away too much without making them untrusting of me, "I don't know" I spoke with a shrug then added, "so it's best we get as high as possible."
Subconsciously or not, after my words I noted the group had picked up speed.
…
(Doctor's P.O.V)
The constant screaming, the sound of children crying, the terror so thick that fear itself was palpable in the air, all of the memories that he tried so hard to fight off.
The citadel ablaze, the red of the flames blending in with the sky so that at a distant it seemed like the sky was falling as if the end of days had truly arisen. Whole fleets of Tardis's turned to ash, the rest of them unable to mourn their fallen sisters as they too were called to the front lines.
The Chaos, the Darkness, the sheer madness of it all in those final days…
The blood, the scars, the glow of time lord regeneration being the only thing left to light up the night towards the end…the memories he fought so hard to forget now brought to the fore front of his mind as this Dalek purposely mocked him as it showed off its destructive capability.
He could see the war just behind his eye lids, ghosts of his past merging with his present as the Dalek forced him to watch as it killed off all those men. How it showed him just how easy it was for it to take so many lives without even trying.
The Dalek was doing so much more than its usual insane killing spree, this one was disturbingly smart…it was sending him a message on a much more personal level.
"I shall speak only to the Doctor" his eyes narrowed at the screen after the Dalek voiced its demands.
Slowly moving to stand I carefully surveyed it before replying, "You're going to get rusty."
"I fed off the DNA of Rachael Carter and Rose Tyler. Extrapolating the biomass of one of the Trinity as well as the extra energy from a time traveller regenerated me." The Dalek stated.
"What Trinity?" I questioned allowing my curiosity to get the better of me and hopefully stall the Dalek so that Rose had a better chance of escape"
"The Trinity is not yet complete" the Dalek voiced once again in that frustratingly vague manner all its kind possessed…or rather did.
"Well what's that supposed to mean?" I asked with a raised voice.
"Silence will fall before the Doctor remembers all" the Dalek answered ominously.
"Remember what? I haven't forgotten anything, why would it be silent?" I asked completely lost on what it was talking about, perhaps falling through time did frazzle its mind.
Only this time I didn't get a response and the Dalek chose to remain quiet, either not knowing the answers or not caring to give them.
As interesting as that little riddle was it would have to wait, one silly prophecy didn't have a chance at distracting me from the last Dalek in existence. Narrowing my eyes I changed the subject back to the matter at hand, "What's your next trick?"
"I have been searching for the Daleks" it only now decided to reply.
"Yeah, I saw. Downloading the internet. What did you find?" I asked mockingly, since it was so keen to rub salt into my wounds it would only be kind to repay they favour.
"I scanned your satellites and radio telescopes." It began before pausing.
"Oh that's interesting…"
"And?" I goaded moving closer to the screen
"Nothing. Where shall I get my orders now?" if I didn't know better I would say it almost sounded panicked, "fantastic!" I thought spitefully.
"You're just a soldier without commands" I told it my hatred dimming to worn out pity.
"Then I shall follow the Primary Order, the Dalek instinct to destroy, to conquer" it screeched and effectively wiping out any possible feelings of empathy with it as my anger took over.
"What for? What's the point? Don't you see it's all gone? Everything you were, everything you stood for" I spat incensed. Even with the effects if the war it still couldn't realise the errors of its way. I try and I try to give every species an equal chance but the Daleks are just too much.
"Perhaps the universe would be better off without them…" the thought came unbidden.
"Then what should I do?" It asked all so innocently and oh wasn't this just waiting for me, after everything this species had put me through, put the universe through.
"All right, then. If you want orders, follow this one. Kill yourself" I spoke calmly as I voiced some of the thoughts that had long since plagued me…it felt strangely liberating to be honest…
"The Daleks must survive!" it screeched back displeased.
"The Daleks have failed! Why don't you finish the job and make the Daleks extinct. Rid the Universe of your filth. Why don't you just die?" I yelled back letting my grief and anguish consume me for just a moment as I yelled it all out at it.
Oh and then didn't the punch in the gut come…
Just before the screen cut out the Dalek retorted, it's voice level and yet it chilled me in a way I had not thought possible after all these centuries of slowly becoming hardened to the outside world.
"You would make a good Dalek."
…
(Rachael's P.O.V)
I was running side by side with Rose by this point, Adam taking up the front whilst De Maggio took up the rear.
I kept an eye on her to make sure she was keeping up with us okay, "I did not save her just so she could get killed later on!" I thought vehemently to myself as I watched the solider slow once again to check that we weren't being followed.
My eyes strayed from her to where she was looking, "So far so good" though I knew just because I couldn't see the Dalek it didn't mean it still wasn't on our trail.
Just as I faced forward again Rose's phone began to ring, "I was wondering when he would phone. This meant he had already started the procedure which would eventually seal the vaults; we were running out of time…"
"This isn't the best time" Rose spoke into her mobile after she fished said device out of her pocket.
I didn't hear what the Doctor said but I could guess from the way Rose slowed and looked up at the wall we were running past and then saying into the phone, "level forty eight."
We were one floor ahead of the Dalek than they had been from the episode but I wasn't sure it was going to be enough. The effects of pushing ourselves so quickly meant that we were struggling to keep up the pace now.
Whatever the Doctor said to Rose next caused Rose to frown and she out loud to us, "They're closing the doors at level forty six"
Adam sped up the pace and De Maggio became more level with me and Rose as said girl added into her phone, "can't you stop them closing?" apparently she still believed in the Doctor.
I didn't really blame her, in most circumstances it was a wise move. Still as expected her brows furrowed even further at the Doctor's reply and she added rather unexpectedly, "Rachael helped us work it out a while ago"
Rose bit her lip as she listened to whatever the Doctor was saying to her which made me frown.
"This wasn't right, he should have hung up by now" My frown deepening as I noticed Rose's pace slowing more as she concentrated, "We're going to lose our progress at this rate."
Letting out a huff of frustration I snatched Rose's phone from her hand earning a startled "Hey!" from said girl as I spoke over her, "You're starting to slow down."
Turning my head to De Maggio who had been watching the whole exchange I ordered, "You're meant to be keeping an eye on the civilians, I want you to make sure she stays near the front at all times."
To my surprise De Maggio complied without any objections, I had at least been expecting some complaints.
Instead the woman holstered her pistol and moved positions so that she could grab Rose's wrist and pull her forward. As a soldier, guard or whatever she was I at least knew she had some degree of fitness which I knew for certain was higher than ours, meaning she had better stamina.
It seemed ever since I had saved her and started making "observations" which turned out to be correct such as the doors closing on us that De Maggio was paying me with more regard.
She did however turn back and say, "You better keep up as well Miss; you still owe me an explanation."
This earned her a grin and a sharp nod of my head as I ran up another flight of stairs before returning my attention to the stolen phone and what appeared to be concerned shouts coming from it.
Lifting it to my ear as I looked straight ahead I noticed that Rose had stopped struggling and that she and De Maggio were starting to catch up to Adam I spoke, "Yelling won't make anything better so just calm down, Rose is fine if a little miffed."
"Rachael!" he exclaimed in surprise before his voice became harsher and…desperate? "Why did you take Rose's phone. I need to talk to her, you are running out of time, you nee-…" but I cut him off.
"Were nearly there Doctor, just a couple more seconds" I spoke already down the corridor that led to the door which would secure our safety.
There was silence on the other end for a moment and I used it to pump my legs even faster in order to catch up to De Maggio and Rose who were a few feet ahead of me after being sped up by De Maggio going to her full ability after having held back so long in order to keep an eye on us "civilians."
I was just letting out a harsh breath when the Doctor's regretful tone spoke in my ear, "I'm sorry."
"No! Time's up! Got. To. Move."
"Hurry up!" I yelled at the three of them as the door's alarms began to sound and the metal began to lower.
Just like in the episode Adam was first to make it under, only this time he didn't have to role. The door wasn't even half way down when he made it through the entrance, his form visibly sagging as he turned back to the rest of us.
"Your almost there!" he yelled back unhelpfully, standing uselessly on the other side as we ran desperately to join him.
My legs were burning and the stitch I had developed during this long chase would have been crippling by this point if it hadn't been for the slight adrenaline high I was currently on.
The door was now three quarters of the way down and Rose and De Maggio were getting nearer although Rose was a clear weight on the other woman's progress.
I had caught up with them by this point and had placed my hand on Rose's back in an attempt to push her forward as we made final run together.
Breathing heavily, De Maggio rolled under the door before turning and reaching out a hand towards us with Adam in the background making hurry up gestures with his hands.
"Get down Rose" I yelled pushing her down onto her knees which she naturally reacted to, her body moving low enough so that she could fit under the door as she took De Maggio's hand and allowed the woman to pull her exhausted body under.
I had of course known at this point that there was no chance of me getting through, I had realised that the second I had let Rose through before myself.
"Oh well, at least I kept my promise" were the only comforting words I had as the last thing I saw from their side of the door was Rose's eyes as she turned over and the growing horror in them as comprehension dawned I would be trapped.
I shot her a smirk just as the metal door sealed shut with an audible, *clunk*
Turning I let my body slump against said door as I gathered my breath and let the consequences of my actions slowly dawn on me.
In the movies the hero always seems relieved that at least they did the right thing and don't seem at all scared when they meet their demise.
Let me tell you now that relief is but a shallow comfort and provides little ease due to being so bitter sweet.
My stomach remained tied up in knots despite the slight muffled banging I could hear from the other side of the door which made my lips curve slightly, Rose's actions I presumed.
Yes the whole thing was indeed very bitter sweet.
My breathing was still heavy at this point but compared to what it had been I was at the very least assured I was not going to pass out.
"Although, perhaps that would have been better…." I thought to myself as the Dalek turned the corner of the corridor and began making its slow way towards me, "At least then I would be unaware of my death, no pain…"
It seemed we had sped up enough so that the Dalek was further behind, yet due our bad timing one of us had still remained trapped. I had been sealed off for about a minute when it suddenly occurred to me that I had yet to answer the phone which was letting out a familiar panicked Northern accent.
Lifting the phone to my head I shifted my posture so that I was standing straighter before I spoke into the phone, "Hey" and had to immediately move the phone from my ear as the Doctor almost deafened me with his questions.
"Rachael? Where's Rose? Did she make it through?! Is she okay? Is she…"
"Rose is fine, they're all fine" I cut him off, pausing to hear the relieved sigh on the other end of the phone.
Okay, that did make me feel just a little bit better.
"So she's definitely okay then?" he doubled checked as if to be sure he hadn't imagined my response.
"Yes Doctor, I told you I would keep her safe" I tried to reassure him.
"In that case why doesn't she answer me?" was his shrewd reply.
"Look she's fine, bit shaken and probably angry at me for taking her phone but otherwise she'll live"
"If she's so angry why don't you let her on the phone?" he asked carefully.
"Doct-.." I began but he cut in, "Put her on the phone."
I sighed at this man's stubbornness before gritting out, "I can't"
"If she's safe then why can't yo-…" but he cut himself off and there was a moments silence before he went, "Oh…" in a tone that gave the distinct impression he had worked something out which was confirmed as he added, "you said, "they're" not "we" you didn't make it through."
His statement was left with a cold silence which was all the confirmation he needed.
Changing the subject I added, "Could you do me a favour and apologise to a woman for me, goes by De Maggio it looks like we won't get that conversation after all."
The silence on the other end was becoming very unsettling before it was broken by one word, "Why?"
I knew instantly what he was talking about but chose to ignore it. There was simply no way to explain to him in the time I had left that he was someone I had idolized from a TV show set in an alternative universe as well as my foolish morale beliefs.
Instead I said, "Make sure you tell Rose it wasn't her fault, it wasn't any of theirs. No one can change my mind once it's set one something, I don't want them blaming themselves."
He made a noise of confirmation through the phone before I added, "I think I might have liked you Doctor, shame we didn't talk long."
"Your quite good at dodging questions aren't you?" he remarked though his voice was softer, fonder…or maybe it was just wishful thinking.
"And you are good at asking them." I retorted with a smirk before concentrating on my surroundings.
The Dalek knew I had no way out and was taking its sweet time, perhaps sadistically savouring the moment.
Even if it didn't kill me I knew I would be trapped as the Doctor had no close connection with me to sway him to risk opening the bunker for me.
Letting out a sigh I added, "You might want to hang up now."
I myself didn't have the will, a selfish part of me wanting to cling on to his voice to avoid facing the demon which was almost upon me.
"Just answer me this, who are you?" the Doctor speedily asked again almost urgently.
"Isn't that my question? I told you already who I am, Rachael Carter" I rolled my eyes as I replied.
There was another silence and I almost decided to hang up anyways since it appeared conversation had ended when he surprised me once again, "Rachael." He stated as if he were greeting me almost.
"Doctor." I shot back.
"Thank you." He replied leaving me gaping as I had not expected those words, certainly not from this incarnation of the Doctor.
"You're welcome" I replied before falling into a more comfortable silence as I stepped towards the Dalek which had stopped mere feet from me.
"Well? Let's not draw this thing out, we both know where this is headed" I said staring at it resolutely.
It wasn't like in the films where the hero stands firm and proud although that was what I was going for. My knees wobbled and my eyes started to fill with water despite the firmness to my voice.
"No one wants to die…oh god; they'll never find a body will they... they'll search but they won't-Joanne and Natasha will blame themselves…my fault…Mum, Dad, everyone else to will suffer to…sorry, I'm just... I'll miss you."
The words of the Dalek didn't reach my ears as I watched the Dalek's light bulbs flash once before automatically closing my eyes.
"This was it…"
I tensed as I waited for the strike to hit…
…
Okay so, I did intend to finish Rachael's adventure in two chapters however I seem to have gotten a little carried away…woops. Hopefully things should wrap up nicely next time so look out for that and maybe then we can start on Joanne's first adventures. Mentions of the Time Trinity but nothing solid as of yet, more spoilers as the story progresses, Alons-y!