Donna looks around the console room, rather solemnly. She's alone now, and has been for some time. Rose left first, claiming to need to freshen up after the incident with Pompeii. Donna thought she could use it. There were black streak marks on her face from where she had smudged the mascara, trying to wipe away the tears. She watched as the Doctor gave her a meaningful look. She couldn't get over the two of them together. They seemed to know exactly what the other was thinking, without the need for words.
There had been a silence in the console room when Rose left. The Doctor had remained bent over the console, occasionally looking back down the hallway. He eventually looked up at Donna and she smiled at him. He offered her a small one and she could tell he was exhausted. Eventually, he too excused himself and left down the hallway. Donna assumed to be with Rose, who had never returned.
She sighs a bit, it's quiet without anyone in here with her. There is a gentle humming coming from somewhere, Donna wonders if it is the ship. She glances down the hallway and there is nothing to reveal that anyone has passed down it. What she would really like to do is apologise to Rose. She shouldn't have made those comments to her while they were in Vesuvius. It wasn't right; Donna is still new to this whole time travel thing. She shouldn't have tried to run the show like that. And then, to have Rose reveal something so personal like that, to help her understand the implications of changing the past, or fixed events like that in general, she felt horrible for. No one wants to remember how their loved one had passed away, especially her father, and to have Rose alter the events by keeping him alive must have been grave. After all, Rose had said that in order to fix the mistake she had made, her father had to…Donna sighed. That couldn't have been easy for her. At least she understood why they can't go around changing things, and why Rose had been so adamant about it.
Donna walks down the hallway trying to see if she can find Rose's room. But of course, there is nothing but bare walls. It's rather frustrating. She runs her hand along the walls as she continues to take random turns. She clears another hallway when she catches sight of a figure that has just disappeared into a room. Hoping it's Rose, Donna follows and stops at the sight of an open door.
Rose is standing in the middle of her room, lingering at the vanity. She's dressed like she's ready for bed, and her hair is still wet, although it looks like it's in the process of drying. Donna notices that she has something held tightly in her arms. Donna knocks on the door quietly and Rose spins around.
'Hi, Donna. Is everything okay?' Rose questions and Donna sees that the object Rose is holding is a book of some kind.
'Yeah, everything's good. Hey, do you have a minute?' Donna inquired, hoping that she did and the Doctor wasn't waiting for her. Figuring that's where she had just come from.
'Sure, what's up?' Rose took a few steps towards her. The gold inlay on the book reads 'album,' and instantly, Donna feels the guilt wash over her like a tidal wave.
'I just wanted to apologise, for what happened in Vesuvius. You know, between us.'
'Oh,' Rose drops her gaze to the floor for a split second before she looks up at Donna again. 'That's okay Donna. I understand where you were coming from. We have the chance to go through all of time and fix things that devastated us as humanity. But we can't, because we have to live with those types of consequences. It took me a long time to understand that.'
'Well, you won't have to worry about me. Lesson learned.' Donna swears and holds up her hand.
'To be honest, I've never seen that type of…devastation before...' Rose admitted and Donna frowned.
'Really? Thought the two of you went everywhere?' Donna crosses her arms.
'Well sure, but it isn't often we get mixed up in fixed points like that.' Rose opens a drawer in the vanity and slides the album back in. Donna watches and Rose looks over and smiles.
'Fine, but make sure you tell Spaceman that I don't want to go through something like that again.' Donna insists and Rose nods. She thinks it's odd that Donna wouldn't tell the Doctor herself, and Rose has a slight panicky feeling. Did she know something? Rose offers a nervous smile. She didn't think that they had revealed anything to Donna.
'Sure, I'll do my best to drive the point home,' Rose nods and Donna grins. She wonders how exactly Rose is going to explain herself out of this one. It's clearly evident that she won't be sleeping in her room. 'Did you want to come with me to the library? I need a new book.'
Donna is impressed, that is quite the excuse. 'No, I'm good thanks. I'm probably going to head to bed. The Doctor isn't in the console room anymore, who knows where he is. There isn't really a point of staying there alone.' Donna informs Rose and she nods. Donna figures Rose knows exactly where he is, and she'll be joining him in a matter of moments.
'All right, well, I'll see you in the morning. I hope it'll go better for you, and you won't get lost.' Rose offers a kind smile and Donna rolls her eyes.
'This ship will be the end of me, I know it,' Donna huffs and Rose walks into the hallway with her. 'So, since my room isn't beside yours anymore, where did it go?'
'That way,' Rose points down the hall. 'Take a left.' She points her finger at the ceiling while Donna was studying the hall.
'Yeah, well, you say that now, and I turn the corner and it will be gone.'
'No I don't think so, she knows it was a stressful day. She'll go easy on all of us.' Rose offers an encouraging smile. Although it doesn't look like Donna is buying that statement.
'If you say so,' Donna replies and turns back to Rose. 'Have a good night.' And she starts down the hall.
'You too, Donna. I'll see you in the morning.' Rose smiles and heads towards the Doctor's room. She truly believes that Donna knows something she isn't telling them. It makes her a bit uneasy, what exactly has she witnessed? Nothing too revealing she hopes, if she did, how would they explain themselves out of that?
Rose turns down the hallway and quickly glances around her. She hasn't seen the Doctor since she left to pull herself together. She hopes he's okay; he certainly didn't look like it when they had left.
Rose pushes open his bedroom door and smiles as she sees him on the bed. Rose quietly approaches and shakes her head. She wondered when he'd allow himself to sleep. She can't even remember the last time she had actually witnessed him sleep. Rose quietly sits on the bed, not that he's left her much room. He's positioned himself right in the middle and he's on his stomach. He's facing away from her and Rose lets out a soft sigh. He hasn't even removed his jacket or shoes. Rose leans over and places a kiss on his head, he stirs a bit before stretching.
'There you are.' His voice is still heavy with sleep, and it takes him a few seconds before he turns to look at her, his eyes still half closed.
'Sorry, I was a mess,' Rose stated and he nodded lazily. She didn't want to tell him she just needed some time to herself. 'You look exhausted.' She stated and again he lazily nods in agreement.
'I am exhausted.' He admitted, and made no effort to move.
'It was quite the day,' Rose commented and he closes his eyes in agreement. She repositions herself next to the Doctor, shoving him slightly so he'll move. He does, not by much. 'Take your jacket off if you're going to sleep.'
Slowly, he turns to eye her; Rose can't believe how incoherent he appears to be. He removes his jacket slowly and drops it on the ground before his head connects with the pillow.
Rose has an unimpressed look on her face; clearly he isn't going to be moving for the rest of the night. So she draws the covers back and gets in. She leans over and places another light kiss on the back on his head, he lets out a soft sigh, but doesn't move. She smiles a bit; she's just as tired, maybe not physically but emotionally for sure. Donna was right; she hopes they won't have to go through that again. It devastated her to witness that. Thankfully she and Donna were able to convince him to save the family. Rose looks over to him and silently thanks him again for listening to them. He didn't have to, but he did and she's so proud of him for going against his instincts to save someone during that tragedy.
Rose tries to pull more of the blanket out from under him, but she isn't successful. Giving up, she makes herself as comfortable as possible and it isn't long before she has fallen asleep.
Rose slowly sits up and rubs her eyes, she's still tired, but she can't sleep anymore. It doesn't feel like she's been asleep for long. She looks over, and is rather surprised. Even the Doctor is still asleep; still the same position so she tries to remain quiet as she slowly gets up from the bed and walks across the room to the door. She opens it and turns around to look back to him. It's a rarity that he's still asleep and she gets up before him.
Rose quietly shuts the door and smiles. He must really need it. She thinks that she should have brought a sweater with her. Her pyjamas aren't exactly the warmest. But, she presses onward. Rose can't decide where she wants to go. Console room would be rather lonely at this time; she isn't really hungry enough to justify making something to eat, and there really isn't anything in her room for her to do. She decides to go to the library, stopping by her room to collect something.
The walk to the library seems longer this time and she's excited by the time she's reached the grand, wooden double doors. She looks around and tries to find a suitable place to sit. She decides to head to the second level and see if she can find a spot to get comfortable. She loves the regalness of the library, the deep coloured wood for the shelves, and tables. As she climbs the spiral staircase, she stops and surveys the library. The lighting is soft, not harsh or overbearing and positioned over the numerous wide chairs.
And the smell, she loves it. The smell of old antique books sitting on the shelves collecting dust, the smell of the pages as they yearn to be read. Not that Rose ever could read them all in her lifetime. Some of them are in different languages, and some she would really like to. Rose continues up the stairs and spots a rather nice looking seating area and she heads towards it. At the far end is a leather wing back chair and Rose sits in it. She draws her legs together and sets the album on them, while a small smile etches itself into her face. She opens it and studies the photos in it.
Having to tell Donna about her father opened old wounds. She didn't want to be reminded of that day, it wasn't what she was expecting, in terms of the relationship between her mum and dad. Some nights, after that day, she wondered if her parents would have actually stayed together.
Rose ran her fingers over a picture of her and her dad together, he's holding her up and she's enjoying. Her mum is off in the distance, and she doesn't have a happy look on her face. She wonders why her mum isn't happy. Of course, she could probably guess. Her mum isn't the easiest person to get along with.
'Here's where you're hiding…' Rose is drawn from her thoughts as she hears footsteps on the stairs. Rose smiles affectionately as the Doctor walks towards her.
'I'm not hiding, I just wanted some quiet.' She replies defensively and frowns slightly. He's wearing that blue suit; she hasn't seen that on him in awhile.
'Quiet? The whole ship is quiet,' The Doctor sits beside her and looks over to the album. 'It's a rare feat when you wake up before me.'
'I thought so…' Rose smiles and looks over to him.
'Feeling a little nostalgic?' The Doctor inquired and Rose nodded.
'Blurting out all that…information to Donna opened old wounds.' Rose admitted.
'That was a hell of a day.' The Doctor remembers and Rose offers a meek smile.
'Still mad at me for that?'
'How could I be? All was forgiven.' The Doctor puts his arm around her shoulders and draws her closer. They become quiet, enjoying each other's company.
'It was a hard lesson to learn.' Rose suddenly says and the Doctor looks down to her.
'It would be. Especially with a loved one.'
Rose looks at the photo of her and her dad one last time before she shuts the album and places it on the ground. She places a deep kiss on his lips and stands up. The Doctor gives her a dazed look and she shrugs.
'I should get myself ready. I mean, what if Donna is awake?' Rose ponders and the Doctor shrugs.
'What are a few extra minutes?' The Doctor inquired and Rose smirks.
Donna sighs as she stands at a fork in the hallway. Okay, she should go right, because she hasn't in awhile, but if she did, that might send her off course. If she went left, she is sticking with the pattern. Of course, that could mean she was going around in circles. Again, like last time…Donna stood there debating, tapping her foot as she tried to decide. Stay the course, or try a new route?
Donna decides to take the right; a change of scenery wouldn't hurt. There isn't anything but bare walls, no doors or anything. She lets out a frustrated sigh. How long did Rose say it was going to take this ship to drop its attitude towards her? Donna can't remember. Although, she did mention it took her awhile to earn the ship's trust. The mere thought that a ship is alive strikes Donna as a bit of an odd concept. Ships aren't alive. Of course, on the other hand, it's an alien ship. God only knows how different it really is.
She continues to walk down the bare halls, becoming more and more frustrated until she hears the sound of a muffled cry. Frowning, Donna continues to follow it, rounding right corners until she spots a set of grand, wooden double doors. Donna stands in front of the doors and studies them. She hears the cry again and her brows knit into confusion. It's definitely a female voice.
Each time the cries seem to get higher and more desperate, and as Donna reaches to open the door it suddenly dawns on her. Her hand flies to her mouth at the realisation and she slowly lowers it. Smirking, she places her hands on her hips and shakes her head. Oh, she could have some fun with this. They are obviously trying to hide it. She walks away as another thought crosses her mind, where else have they been…doing…that? Donna hopes nowhere…public. Of course, that was the library, which counts as public…
Donna shakes her head, these are the types of thoughts she doesn't want to be thinking about. She finally spots the console room and smiles, rather satisfied. Now all she had to do…is wait. She's going to have fun with the two of them.
The Doctor enters first and he abruptly stops as he sees Donna sitting on the console chair. She looks him up and down and smiles; there is no sign of Rose yet.
'What, you get dressed in the dark?' Donna inquires, noticing that he's only half put together. She tries to hide her sly smile.
'Didn't think there'd be anyone here.' The Doctor replied and buttoned up the rest of the shirt, leaving the top few undone.
'Yeah well, got lost…wandered around, found the library,' Donna watches as the Doctor freezes at the console and turns to look at her, clearly panic is in his eyes as he nods. 'And then found the console room. Productive morning.'
'Morning!' Rose calls out as she enters next.
'Oh, Rose, morning.' The Doctor calls over, instantly feeling relieved she is there. Donna knows something. He's almost positive.
'Hi Rose.' Donna calls over and looks at Rose. She seems cheery enough, and, unlike the Doctor, she actually had time to get dressed. She's wearing a purple beanie that Donna hasn't seen her in before.
'Did you get lost this morning?' Rose asked as she sat beside Donna on the console chair.
'Somewhat. Not as badly as yesterday.' Donna informed her and Rose nodded.
'See, she's warming up to you!' Rose replied and smiled, getting up and heading to where the Doctor is.
'So, Spaceman, where to this time?' Donna inquires and she stands up.
'I've set the controls to random! Mystery tour,' The Doctor replies and the three of them are jostled around as the TARDIS begins to shake, and Donna lets out a cry of surprise. It abruptly stops. 'Outside that door could be any planet, anywhere, anywhere in the whole wide…are you all right?' The Doctor asks and Rose looks over.
'Donna?' Rose asks and finally shakes herself out her dazed state.
'I'm terrified. I mean, history's one thing, but an alien planet…'
'It'll be okay, it won't be bad. Everyone is usually really nice.' Rose informs her, but Donna doesn't reply.
'I could always take you home.' The Doctor interjects and Donna looks over to him.
'Yeah, don't laugh at me.' Donna warns.
'I know the feeling you have right now. I still have it.' Rose states and Donna turns back to her.
'Yeah, I know it too. Everything you're feeling right now. The fear, the joy, the wonder, I get that!' The Doctor smiles.
'Seriously? After all this time?' Donna inquires, finding it hard to believe.
'Yeah! Why do you think I keep going?'
'Oh! All right, then, you, me, Rose! This is barmy!' Donna says, rather excitedly. She walks to the door as Rose hands the Doctor his coat. Together they walk to where Donna is standing on the ramp. She turns to them. 'I was born is Chiswick. I've only ever done package holidays. Now I'm here. This is…I mean, it's…I dunno. It's all so…I don't even know what the word is!'
Donna pushes open the TARDIS doors and steps out onto the planet where it is snowing and there is a rather wicked wind blowing. Rose shields her eyes from the bright sunlight and blows into the air. Puffs of her breath are seen in the cold air. She smiles.
'Oh, I've got a word. 'Freezing.'' Donna states.
'Oh, Doctor, look! It's real snow! Finally.' Rose turns to the Doctor who has a big smile on his face. He joins her.
'Now that's more like it. Lovely. Donna, what do you think?' The Doctor and Rose turn back to Donna who is shivering.
'Bit cold.' She informs them. Rose readjusts her hat and the Doctor leads her a few steps away so they can look at the view.
'Look at the view!' The Doctor hold Rose's hand as they observe an ice and snow covered landscape. It appears to be rather barren.
'Yup. A beautiful…cold view.' Donna calls to them and she disappears back into the TARDIS.
'Millions of planets, millions of galaxies and we're on this one. Molto bene! Belissimo!' The Doctor draws Rose closer to him; she puts her arms around him, unable to stop the smile as she continues to stare at the picturesque landscape spread before them. 'Says Donna, born in Chiswick. You've had a life of work and sleep, telly and rent, takeaway dinners, birthdays and Christmases, and two weeks holiday a year and then you end up here! Donna Noble, citizen of Earth, standing on a different planet. How about that, Donna?' The Doctor and turns back to the TARDIS, but she isn't there.
'Donna?' Rose calls out.
Donna reappears, coming back out wearing a warm coat with a fur-lined hood. 'Sorry. You were saying?'
'Better?' The Doctor inquires and she nods.
'Lovely, thanks.'
'Comfy?'
'Yup.'
'Can you hear anything inside that?' The Doctor questions and Donna frowns.
'Pardon?'
Rose starts to laugh, unsure if the comment was intentional or not.
'Rose, did you want to grab a jacket?' The Doctor asked.
'No, I'll be okay. This one is pretty heavy.'
'Right. Now, like I was saying, citizen of Earth…' The Doctor is cut off as a rocket flies overhead. Rose frowns, but Donna seems amazed.
'A rocket. Blimey, a real, proper rocket. Now that's what I call a spaceship,' Donna walks forward and slaps the Doctor on the arm. 'You've got a box, and he's got a Ferrari. Come on, let's see where it's going.' Donna starts to head off in the direction of the rocket.
Rose and the Doctor look a bit surprised. Rose sees the hurt in his eyes and so she pulls him down for a kiss.
'Best ship I know.' Rose replies and the Doctor looks back at the TARDIS.
'Yeah, she is, isn't she…'
'Come on, we can't lose Donna now.' Rose takes his hand and they begin to follow Donna in the direction of the rocket.
Outside of a rather grim looking warehouse, which seems to be part of the planet, the rocket has landed. A wealthy looking man steps out and joining him are his two personal Ood along with guards. A man in a white lab coat is waiting to greet them.
'Mr. Halpen, sir. Dr. Ryder, new head of Ood Management.' Ryder holds out his hand, but Halpen ignores it.
'How many dead? Come on, facts and figures. I haven't flown all this way to discuss the weather. Which, by the way, is freezing.' Halpen states with annoyance in his voice.
'Solana has the figures, sir.' Ryder states.
As if on cue, a younger woman joins them and smiles. 'Solana Mercurio, sir. Head of Marketing and Galactic Liaison.'
'Just what I need…a PR woman,' Halpen lets out a frustrated sigh. 'I don't want a word of this getting out, is that understood? Now, get to the point, how many dead?'
The little group heads inside and they continue to walk until they reach a former employee's office.
Solana relays the information she has learned of the incident and she plays a video that shows what has happened to the former employee. Halpen looks on with indifference.
'In the past financial quarter, we've had three deaths in the complex, all attributed to heart attacks or industrial accidents. But now, we've captured this on tape…the cause would seem the same.' Solana points to the Ood on the tape.
'Using the translator ball as a weapon. How does that work?' Halpen questions.
'No idea. I'm checking the equipment. Nothing so far.' Ryder admits.
'I can't see its eyes from this angle.' Halpen squints at the tape.
'I think we have to assume…' Ryder starts.
'Red eye.' Halpen states, rather solemnly.
'I would think so, sir.' Ryder finishes.
'That Ood…what happened to it?' Halpen questions and Ryder nods.
'Oh, ran for the hills, sir, like a dog. One of the guards fired off a shot. It'll be dead by now.'
'Can I ask, what is red eye, sir?' Solana questioned and Halpen turns to her.
'It's some sort of infection. The Ood's eyes literally change colour.' Ryder states, as Halpen seemed to ignore the question completely.
'Drink.' Halpen states and his Ood does as he is instructed.
'I can't find a source. All the bacterial scans register negative.' Ryder informs him.
'I'm sorry but according to you own rules, sir, there is no alcohol allowed on base.' Solana informs him as she witnesses the Ood holding out a shot glass of clear liquid.
Halpen accepts the glass and shoots Solana a cold look. 'It's hair tonic, if you must know,' He gulps it down. 'Five years ago I had a full head of hair. Stress,' He taps his head. 'That what this is, stress!'
'Careful, it's slippery down here.' Rose calls out and turns behind her, where the Doctor and Donna are. Rose starts lose her balance and the Doctor reaches out and grabs her arm.
'Careful.'
'Thanks,' Rose smiles and takes his hand. The Doctor decides to lead when he suddenly stops. 'Doctor?'
'Hold on, can you hear that?' He asks and Rose frowns. She doesn't really hear anything, maybe faintly, off in the distance, but nothing concrete. She lets go of his hand and continues to wander. 'Donna, take your hood down. Listen.'
'What?' Donna asks and lowers her hood.
'That noise…it's like a song.' He says quietly. He listens to the eerie music.
'Doctor! Come here!' Rose calls out and he breaks out into a run to join her.
'What is it?' He asks and she points to something dark lying in the snow. He takes her hand and together they run towards the dark lump in the snow. Donna calls out to them to slow down.
They stop as they see the body of an Ood half buried in the snow.
'Doctor it's an…' Rose breathes and Donna joins them.
'What is that?' Donna asks and makes a bit of a face.
'An Ood,' The Doctor kneels by the body. 'He's called an Ood.' The Doctor pulls out a stethoscope.
'But its face…' Donna covers her mouth.
'Donna, it isn't an 'it.'' Rose looks over to her.
'Rose, give me a hand,' The Doctor instructs and Rose kneels on the other side. 'And Rose is right, it's a 'he.''
'I'm sorry.' Donna kneels as well, but beside Rose.
The Doctor places the stethoscope on the Ood's chest. 'I don't know where the heart is. I don't know if he's got a heart. Talk to him, keep him going.' The Doctor tells them.
'Hi, it's been a long time since I last saw an Ood. I'm sorry. It'll be all right. We can help you.' Rose says softly and he turns to look at her.
'What's your name?' Donna inquiries and the Ood turns his attention to her next.
'Designated Ood Delta 50.' Delta 50's translator ball lights up, as he speaks weakly and Donna leans over to pick up the translator ball.
'My name is Donna and this is Rose.' She speaks into it.
'It's okay Donna, you don't need to do that.' Rose puts her hand on her shoulder and Donna straightens up, lowering the translator ball.
'Oh, sorry. Oh, this is the Doctor. Just what you need, a doctor. Couldn't be better, eh?' Donna smiles sadly.
'You've been shot.' The Doctor states and Rose gasps.
'The circle…' Delta 50 tries to say.
'No, don't try to talk.' Donna informs him.
'The circle must be broken.' Delta 50 states and closes his eyes.
'The circle? What do you mean? Delta 50, what circle? Delta 50? What circle?' The Doctor presses him for information.
Delta 50's eyes abruptly snap open and they are red. Rose scrambles to her feet, yanking Donna up with her. Delta 50 lets out a growl and sits up. Slowly, the growl fades away and he collapses, dying before them.
'He's gone.' Donna says quietly and Rose starts towards the body.
'Rose, be careful.' The Doctor instructs and she nods.
She kneels down and puts her hand on his chest. 'Oh, I'm so sorry…we'll find who did this to you. I promise.'
'Doctor, what should we do? Do we bury him?' Donna inquires as the Doctor stands beside Rose and places his hand on her shoulder.
'The snow will take care of that. Come on, Rose.'
'Who was he? What's an Ood?' Donna inquires.
'They're servants, of humans in the forty second century. Mildly telepathic. That was the song. It was his mind calling out.' The Doctor replies.
'I couldn't hear anything.' Donna said.
'I thought I heard something, in the back of my mind.' Rose says quietly.
'He sang as he was dying.' Donna looks at the body.
'His eyes turned red. Doctor, do you think it's like last time?' Rose questioned and the Doctor frowned.
'Unlikely, but that doesn't mean it's any less dangerous.'
'What does that mean? Red eye?' Donna asks.
'Trouble. Come on,' The Doctor leads them away from the body and they continue on their way. 'The Ood are harmless and completely benign. Except the last time when Rose and I met them. There was this force…like a stronger mind, powerful enough to take them over.'
'What sort of force?' Donna puts her hands in her pockets, trying to warm them up.
'It's a long story.' Rose remembered.
'Long walk.' Donna countered and Rose looks up at the Doctor.
'It was the devil.' He states.
'If you're gonna take the mickey, I'll just put my hood back up.' Donna replies annoyed.
'Well, it has to be something different this time.' Rose ponders.
'Right. Something closer to home,' The Doctor agrees and together the three of them over look a bluff. 'A ha! Civilisation!'
The Doctor leads the way down the bluff and together they head towards the base. Unbeknownst to them, it is the base of Ood Operations.
Rose, the Doctor and Donna exchange looks as they see a long time of people waiting by a door. A young woman steps out and begins to address the group. The three of them take off running, so they don't miss the group.
'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Ood-Sphere and isn't it bracing? Here are your information packs with vouchers, 3D tickets and map of the complex,' An Ood passes out the packs. 'My name's Solana, Head of Marketing. I'm sure we've all spoken on the vid-phone. Now if you'd like to follow me…'
'Sorry, sorry! We're late! Don't mind us! Hello. The guards let us through.' The Doctor says and Solana frowns.
'And you would be…?'
'The Doctor, Rose Tyler and Donna Noble.' The Doctor holds up the Psychic Paper.
'We represent the Noble Corporation PLC Limited, Intergalactic.' Donna states firmly and Solana nods.
'Must have fallen off my list. My apologies, it wouldn't happen again,' Solana tries to sort out how she should address the three of them. Who is married to whom? She frowns. 'Now then, Dr. Tyler, Mrs. Tyler and Ms. Noble…' Solana is cut off.
'Oh, we're not married.' Rose interjects.
'My apologies,' Solana turns her attention to Donna and the Doctor. They both seem to get a horrified look on their face and Donna shakes her head.
'We are so not married.' Donna says adamantly.
'Never.' The Doctor agrees.
'Never, ever.' Donna states firmly.
'Oh, of course. Here is your information pack. Vouchers inside,' Solana hands the pack to the Doctor who passes it off to Rose. 'Now, if you'd like to come with me, the executive suites are nice and warm.'
An alarm blares, cutting through the silence and the Doctor pauses going inside. 'Oh, what's that? Sounds like an alarm.'
'It's just a siren for the end of the work shift. Now then, this way! Quick as you can!' Solana ushers the buyers inside, Rose and the Doctor look at each other and nod. Solana's smile drops as she wonders what the hell is going on.
'For God's sake, we've got buyers arriving. Who sounded the alarm? Drink!' Halpen yelled and the Ood obliges. Halpen goes towards the comm. 'Mr. Kess, what the hell's going on?'
'Ood on the loose, sir. Looks like we've got another one.' Comes the reply over the comm.
'Red eye?' Halpen dreads the answer.
'As red as sin, sir. Don't worry Mr. Halpen, we're on it.' Kess informs him and he instructs his guards to go after the Ood.
The group is ushered into a large showroom. Solana is expounding the qualities of the Ood. She has some perched on pedestals for display. Behind them, there is a very large screen that covers the entirety of the wall.
'As you can see, the Ood are happy to serve and we keep them in facilities of the highest standard.' Solana explains and Rose wanders slightly.
On the base grounds, the Ood that is trying to escape the recapture of the guards continues to run for his life. He turns slightly as he hears the shouts from the guards indicating to him they are closing in on his whereabouts.
'He's over there! You two, follow me!' Kess shouts. 'But take him alive!'
The Ood cowers behind some barrels wishing they would leave him alone. He doesn't want to harm them.
Kess and his men locate the stray Ood hiding behind the barrels and Kess raises his gun at the Ood. The Ood turns to the men, growling low. His eyes have suddenly turned a blazing shade of red. Kess recoils slightly as a new symptom presents itself. He reaches for his comm.
'Here at the Double O, that's Ood Operations, we like to think of the Ood as our trusted friends. We keep the Ood healthy, safe and educated. We don't just breed the Ood, we make them better. Because at heart, what is an Ood…but an extension of us? If your Ood is happy, then you'll be happy too.' Solana smiles and the room erupts into a loud applause.
Halpen sighs as he hears a familiar voice on the comm.
'Mr. Halpen, this is a bit more than red eye, sir,' Kess stares at the Ood, who now has foam appearing from the mouth. 'This is something new. It's rabid, sir.'
'Take it to Dr. Ryder. Just…get it out of sight!' Halpen hisses into the comm.
'Sales figures needed by 1900, sir.' A new voice breaks the argument on the comm.
'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' Halpen gets up from his desk and walks towards a mirror placed at the far end of the room. His Ood is following him. 'What do you think?' Halpen studies his hair intently. 'Growing back? Just a little bit?' He turns to his Ood who merely blinks back at him. 'Like you'd know.' He scoffs.
'I'd like to point out a new innovation from Ood Operations. We've introduced a variety package with the Ood translator ball. You can now have the standard setting,' Solana goes to one of the Ood positioned on the pedestal. 'How are you today, Ood?'
'I'm perfectly well, thank you.' Rose recognises the voice as the normal one. However, she crosses her arms. Something still isn't sitting right with her.
'Or perhaps after a stressful day, a little something for the gentlemen,' Solana walks to the next Ood. 'How are you, Ood?'
'All the better for seeing you.' Rose blinks at the sultry female voice that just emitted from the translator ball. It's rather unsettling.
'And the comedy classic option. Ood, you dropped something.' Solana moves to the next and final Ood as she points to the ground.
'D'oh!' Rose feels her jaw drop as the voice of Homer Simpson echoes around the room. But it draws a laugh from the crowd.
'All that for only five additional credits. The details are in your brochures. Now, there's plenty more food and drink, so don't hold back.' Solana motions for the group to disperse, which it does and everyone starts to mingle.
The Doctor takes out his glasses and slips them on before he takes Rose's hand. He leads her to the control board where he switches on the screen. Rose positions herself so she is blocking him as best she can. That way they won't rouse suspicion. Donna grabs herself a drink before she joins them. The Doctor manages to get the screen to him their current location.
'What have you found?' Rose turns to him.
'The Ood Sphere, I've been to this solar system before…years ago. Ages. Close to the planet Sense Sphere. Let's widen it out…the year 4126. That is the Second Great and Bountiful Human Empire.'
Donna swallows her drink funny and feels her eyes widen. '4126? It's 4126? I'm in 4126?'
'Sure, that's okay, right?' Rose asks and Donna smiles.
'What's the Earth like now?' Donna questions and the Doctor turns around briefly.
'A bit full, but you see, the empire stretches out across three galaxies.'
'It's weird. I mean, it's brilliant, but back home, the paper and the telly, they keep saying we haven't got long to live…global warming, flooding all the bees disappearing.'
'Yeah, that thing about the bees is odd.' The Doctor agreed.
'Don't worry Donna; I've seen the Earth in its final hours. Eventually, we just leave.' Rose replies and Donna frowns.
'What do you mean?'
'That was the first place the Doctor took me when I joined him.' Rose remembers.
'To witness the destruction of our planet? How thoughtful.' Donna rolls her eyes.
'What? I didn't think, I just went.' The Doctor replied defensively.
'Course we didn't really have time to think about it, you know, foiling the bad guy's plans, course in that situation, it was a woman, kinda…and trying not to die, the usual.' Rose shrugged.
'The usual?' Donna turns to the Doctor who looks away.
'Yeah, the usual.'
Donna's attention is drawn to the blinking lights and she looks more intensely at the map. 'So, is that us? Is that where we go? We go everywhere? Is that good or bad, though,' Donna ponders. 'I mean, are we like explorers or more like a virus?'
'Sometimes I wonder.' The Doctor quips and Rose nods in agreement.
'What are the red dots, there?' Rose points.
'Ood distribution centres.' The Doctor replies.
'Are you kidding? They span across three galaxies.' Rose says in disbelief.
'Yeah, I mean, don't the Ood get a say in this?' Donna inquires and she walks over to a nearby Ood. 'Um…sorry…but…' The Ood ignores her, so Donna taps him gently on the shoulder to get his attention. 'Hello. Tell me, are you all like this?'
'I do not understand, miss.' The Ood replies.
'Why do you say, 'miss?' Do I look single?' Donna states defensively and the Doctor intervenes.
'Back to the point.' He calls over to her.
'Oh, yeah. What I mean is, are there any free Ood? Are there any Ood running around wild somewhere like wildebeest?'
'All Ood are born to serve. Otherwise we would die.' The Ood informs her.
'But surely it can't have started like that?' Rose joins Donna. 'What did you do before the humans came?'
The Ood's head jerks slightly and Donna tries another approach. 'What were you like?'
'The circle.' The Ood states.
'What do you mean? What circle?' The Doctor strides over to them.
'The circ…the circle…is…' The Ood repeats.
'Ladies and gentlemen. All Ood to hospitality stations, please.' Solana instructs and the Ood leave.
The Doctor sighs and takes off his glasses. He reaches into his pocket and takes out the map for the complex.
'I've had enough of the schmoozing. Do you fancy going off the beaten track?' The Doctor looks at Rose and Donna.
'Count me in. Let's get out of here.' Rose puts her beanie back on.
'A Rough Guide to the Ood Sphere? Works for me.' Donna chimes in.
'Yeah.' The Doctor grins and takes their hands.
Halpen looks on in horror as Ryder and Halpen's Ood remation quiet. The Ood that was caught by Kess is chained into a cell. He is growling and spitting.
'What the hell's wrong with it?' Halpen demands an answer for this new, sick Ood.
'It's obvious Stage Two Red Eye. Whatever that means.' Ryder informs Halpen and he looks at the Ood.
'Ood Sigma, have you seen this before?' Halpen asks but Sigma remains quiet for sometime, before he answers.
'Humanity defines us, sir. We look to you for answers.' Sigma's answer is vague.
'Fat lot of good, all of you. We're exporting hundreds of thousands of Ood to all civilised planets. If they turn rabid, you know what it'll mean.' Halpen begins to grow worried.
'There is only one thing I haven't checked, sir…Warehouse 15.' Ryder ventures.
'Why should that cause trouble? It's been two centuries now. No change, not ever. Drink!' Halpen demands. Sigma prepares the drink and hands it over to Halpen who downs it.
'I know it's restricted access, but if I'm gonna work on this, I should see it. Just in case.' Ryder informs him.
'Can't stand the place,' Halpen studies the empty shot glass in his hand before handing it to Sigma. 'Still, Warehouse 15, then. Come on.' Halpen leads the way to the door. Ryder starts to follow, but then stops.
'What about this one, sir?' Ryder questions and Halpen turns back.
'Well, I'd suggest a post mortem, which means its gotta be dead first.' Halpen takes one last look at the cage and then heads out of the warehouse. Sigma follows and Ryder sprints to catch up to the two of them. The chained Ood's growls become more enraged and the guards take their position with their guns aimed. Ryder stops at the door as the sound of gunfire engulfs the warehouse. He hangs his head and continues on his way.
Donna puts her hood up as she turns in small circles waiting. She didn't understand how Rose was managing. Her jacket looks so thin, and the Doctor. Well, who knows with him? The Doctor continues to work the lock on the gate they had found. A militaristic style voice is heard on the grounds, everyone turns their attention to a P.A system.
'Ood Shift Eight commencing,' The Doctor ignores it and opens the gate. 'I repeat, Ood Shift Eight commencing.'
The Doctor enters the gate, followed by Rose and Donna. They have clearly entered an area that is not meant to be viewed by visitors. They climb a few stairs and look down into an open area of the complex, where the Ood are being marched. One falls to his knees and Kess strides over to him.
'Get up. I said, get up!' Kess shouts and he cracks a whip.
Rose starts down, but is held back by the Doctor. 'Let me go! They can't be treated like that!' Rose's voice is getting louder. The Doctor covers her mouth.
'We'll stop it. We will.' The Doctor presses his forehead on hers and she relents, if ever so slightly.
'Servants. They're more like slaves.' Donna breathes.
'Get up!' Kess shouts and the Ood manages to get to his feet. 'March!'
'The last time…Doctor…the last time…I mean…why didn't we know…?' Rose's voice is muffled by the Doctor's hand, and she slowly peels his hand away. Unable to stop staring at the events unfolding below them.
'We, never asked. I mean, we didn't think to…' The Doctor replied quietly, agreeing with her. Donna frowns at the two of them.
'That's not like you two…' Donna states.
'I was busy. So busy…we couldn't save them. We had to let the Ood die. I reckon, this time around, we owe them one.' The Doctor says, and the determination in his voice makes Rose feel a bit better, for the moment.
Rose squints her eyes as she notices three figures strolling across the openness. She tugs the Doctor's jacket and points.
'Looks like the boss.' Donna agrees.
'Let's keep out of his way. Come one.' The Doctor leads them around and out of sight.
Halpen leads Sigma and Ryder to a deserted warehouse and positioned everyone around a keypad. Ryder looks at the warehouse with some apprehension.
'How long since you went inside?' Ryder ventured.
'Must be about ten years.' Halpen admitted and keys in the code.
'Warehouse 15…' A computer's voice is heard.
'My father brought me here when I was six years old.' Halpen goes off in thought.
'Security protocol initiated.'
The door opens and immediately there is a foul stench that assaults them.
'God, the stench of it!' Halpen complains.
'Warehouse 15: door open.'
Inside the warehouse, Halpen holds his hand to his mouth while Ryder holds a handkerchief over his nose and mouth. They walk along a catwalk before they stop and look down over a railing at something. There is an electric, crackling sound.
'Incredible…' Ryder breathes as he stares below.
'Like I said, nothing's changed.' Halpen restates.
'I've read the documents, but…it doesn't quite prepare you.' Ryder admits.
'Is it just me…or does it feel like it's looking at you?' Halpen begins to feel uneasy the longer he stares at it.
'I think I understand the border mechanics well enough. I'll check the signal.' Ryder goes over to a nearby panel.
'I suppose it's home sweet home to you. What do you think?' Halpen turns to Sigma, who remains emotionless.
'I have no opinion, sir.' Sigma responds.
'Well…say hello to daddy.' He taunts.
'Nothing. The barrier's intact. No abnormal signal. Same as it's be for two hundred years.' Ryder informs them and Halpen nods. A new voice is heard over the comm.
'Mr. Halpen, those three people from the Noble Corporation failed to pass security checks,' Solana's voice fills the room. 'There is no such company. The Noble Corporation doesn't exist. And on top of that, they seem to have gone missing, sir, the Doctor, Ms. Tyler and Ms. Noble.'
'Just what I need. Start a search. No alarms, got that? Keep it quiet,' Halpen rubs his temples and switches the comm. off. 'You see? Hair loss. Drink!' Sigma obliges and prepares one. Halpen snatches the drink and studies it. He looks over the railing. 'Tell you what, old friend…have one on me. Cheers!' Halpen tosses the drink over the railing and there is a loud whooshing followed by roaring. Halpen has Sigma make another one. 'I think we're done here.'
He gulps the drink down and leaves, heading towards the door. Ryder starts to follow him, accidentally bumping into Sigma. 'Sorry.' He apologises and starts after Halpen.
Sigma looks over the rail briefly before following the others.
The Doctor, Rose and Donna are striding in front of the warehouses, showing Rose the map of where they are and Rose points to a spot, but he shakes his head. Donna stops at a door and she whistles rather loudly. Rose and the Doctor duck and then turn to look at Donna, who is smiling as she stands beside the door with her arms crossed. They grin and the Doctor uses the Sonic Screwdriver on the door and he slides it open.
'Where'd you learn to whistle?' The Doctor inquires and Donna smirks.
'West Ham, every Saturday.' Donna counters.
The three of them walk into a dimly lit warehouse that is filled to the brim with shipping containers. Rose looks up and notices a large metal claw that moves along a track in the ceiling that is used to lift and move the containers. Rose points to the ceiling.
'Ood Export. You see?' He points to the claw and Donna looks up. 'Lifts up the containers, takes 'em to the rocket ships. Ready to be flown out all over the three galaxies.'
'So they're all filled…' Rose covers her mouth.
'No…not all of them.' Donna echoes Rose's concerns.
'What do you think?' The Doctor leads them to the nearest containers and opens it. Together they stand it the doorway, the Ood are standing inside with a neat formation.
Donna covers her mouth. 'Oh, it stinks. How many of them do you think there are in each one?'
'A hundred? More?' The Doctor looks at the containers.
'So this mighty empire is essentially built on the backs of these Ood. Like slavery.' Rose says bitterly.
'It's not so different from your time.' The Doctor replies and Rose and Donna turn to him.
'Oi, we don't have slaves.' Donna states defensively.
'Who do you think made your clothes?' The Doctor informs them and Donna looks at her clothes. Rose hits him in the arm. Donna narrows her eyes.
'Is that why you travel around with us humans at your side? It's not so you can show us the wonders of the universe, it's so you can take cheap shots.'
'Sorry…' The Doctor replies and watches as Rose crosses her arms.
'Well, don't. Spaceman,' Donna points her finger at him and he smirks. Rose finds herself smiling as well and she gives his hand a quick squeeze.
'Why aren't they leaving?' Rose observes and Donna turns back to the Ood.
'Yeah, I mean the door is open. Why don't you just run away?' Donna calls to the Ood.
'For what reason?' An Ood speaks up.
'Because then you'd be free.' Rose tries.
'I do not understand the concept.' The Ood repeats. Rose and Donna exchange looks.
'What is it with the Persil ball? I mean, they're not born with it, are they?' Donna turns to Rose, who shakes her head.
'I don't know.'
'So why do they have to be all plugged in?' Donna turns to the Doctor who has a thoughtful look on his face.
'Ood, tell me, does 'the circle' mean anything to you?'
'The circle must be broken.' All the Ood say in unison.
'Whoa, that is creepy.' Donna takes a small step back.
'But what is it? What is the circle?' The Doctor inquires.
'The circle must be broken.' All of the Ood repeat.
'Why?'
'So then we can sing.' They say and Rose ponders that statement.
Kess is standing on a small alcove with two of his men and he reaches to his comm.
'Mr. Halpen, I'm in Ood cargo. I found your unwanted guests,' He motions to his men. 'Go!' Kess hits a button and an alarm blares.
The Doctor looks up and takes Rose and Donna's hands. 'That's us, come on!'
Together, the three of them run along the maze of shipping containers as they try to ditch their captors. Donna stops as she notices something, but the Doctor and Rose keep going.
'Doctor, Rose! There's a door!' Donna calls out to them, but they don't hear her. The door opens and guards pour out of it.
'Don't move!' The guards draw closer with their guns drawn. Donna stops and they advance towards her.
Rose stops and tugs the Doctor's hand, it causes him to stop and he stares at her. 'Where's Donna?'
'Donna? Where have you gone?' The Doctor calls out.
'Stay where you are!' A guard calls to them and Rose take's the Doctor's hand.
'That's our cue!' Rose starts to run knowing the guards are looking for him. Rose worries for Donna and hopes that she is okay.
'Donna? Where are you?!' The Doctor shouts as they continue to avoid capture. Kess begins to walk along the catwalk and spots Rose and the Doctor running through the maze.
'All guards withdraw.' Kess states into the comm.
'Sir?' Comes the reply.
'I said withdraw. Keep to the perimeter. I've got this one.' Kess grins.
Rose and the Doctor stop, pressing themselves against the container and they quiet down so they can listen.
Kess smirks as he turns on the equipment that controls the claw. 'I've always wanted to do this.'
The claw springs to life as Kess steers it, the Doctor and Rose look up and scramble to get into a container. Kess pushes a button on the machine's panel.
'Container locked! Ha!' Kess shouts down to them. For a brief moment, they stop and look up to Kess, who grins at them.
The Doctor takes Rose's hand and they continue to run as the claw chases after them. Kess is enjoying himself immensely as suddenly drops the claw, Rose and the Doctor have to dive out of its way. The Doctor scrambles to his feet and picks Rose up. Together they continue to run.
Donna gives up banging against the container doors and turns around. She sees the Ood behind her and she takes a step back.
'Can you help me?' Donna asks. One of the Ood raises his head; Donna holds her breath as she sees the Ood's eyes have become red. 'Oh, no you don't…'
Rose and the Doctor look behind them as the claw gains on them. They desperately need to stop and rest. Their lungs burn with the need for air. Kess witnesses them slowing down and he grins before laughing manically.
The claw plunges down and Rose cries out as she takes a dive and slides across the floor on her hip. The crash causes the Doctor to roll; he inhales deeply as Rose hauls herself up and reaches back for his hand.
Donna presses herself against the container door as the Ood all begin to open their eyes, all becoming red.
'Stay where you are, that's an order! I said stay! Doctor! Rose!' Donna bangs on the door again. 'Get me out!'
The Doctor dives in front of the claw as it goes for Rose. It crashes into his back and sends them both flying into some barrels, Rose lands hard on her back and she cries out as the Doctor lands on her, sending sharp pains down her back. Rose looks past the Doctor and sees the claw plunge down to them. Instinctively she covers the Doctor's head and holds him tightly.
The closer the claw gets, Rose shuts her eyes, waiting for it to hit. But the claw never comes, Rose opens her eyes and the Doctor looks up and to the claw. He lets out a sigh of relief as he turns to look back at it and rolls off of Rose. She holds his hand as they lay on the ground, panting.
Two guards run up to them, reaching down, they haul them to their feet and march them back to the container holding Donna. They can hear her voice shouting from inside.
'Doctor, Rose! Get me outta here!' Donna calls.
'If you don't do what she says, you're really in trouble. Not from me…from her.' The Doctor tries and he looks over to Rose, she's rubbing her back.
'Unlock the container.' Kess instructs and the container is unlocked. They open the door and Donna runs out. She spots Rose and the Doctor and embraces them tightly.
'Rose! Doctor!'
'There we go, safe and sound.' The Doctor breathes a sigh of relief.
'Never mind about me, what about them?' Donna points and everyone looks inside. The Ood begin rush out and attack the guards, killing them in the process.
'Red alert! Fire!' Kess orders and the guards obey. The Doctor and Donna take off running, but Rose remains frozen in place, the Doctor as to come back and take her by her hand. 'Shoot to kill!' As Kess notices more containers open.
'No, we have to stop them!' Rose calls to the Doctor.
'We will. I promise.'
The three of them run into Solana who looks them up and down before they all pile out onto the complex grounds. They continue to run until Solana stops to catch her breath, it causes the others to follow suit.
'If the people back on Earth knew what was going on here…' Donna starts.
'Don't be stupid. Of course they know.' Solana states.
'They actually know how you treat the Ood?' Rose replies disgusted. 'I don't buy that.'
'They don't ask. Same thing.' Solana clarifies.
'Solana, the Ood aren't born like this. They can't be. A species born to serve could never evolve in the first place. What does the company do to make them obey.' The Doctor questions and Solana shrugs.
'It has nothing to do with me.'
'What, because you never thought to question that? This whole process?' Rose crosses her arms.
'All of that is Dr. Ryder's territory.' Solana responds and narrows her eyes.
'Where is he? What part of the complex?' The Doctor approaches her and pulls out his map. 'I could help with the red eye. Now show me!' He demands.
Solana stares at the map for a long time, but remains quiet. She closes her eyes as she has made her decision. 'They're over here! Guards, they're over here!' Solana shouts.
The Doctor lets out a noise of frustration and they all begin to take off running as the guards catch up to where Solana is.
'Male and female suspects escaping Westbridge corridor.' Kess states into his comm.
'Mr. Halpen, I found the Doctor. He's heading for Ood Conversion.' Solana speaks, rather stunned, into her comm.
'On my way.' Is the reply. 'Mr. Kess, what's the situation?'
Kess has gone back into the warehouse. 'We've contained it, sir. The red eye seems to be permanent this time, it's not fading,' Kess passes a fenced area of red eyes. 'Worse than that, sir, there more of them going rabid,' He passes another fence, this time the Ood are pulling on the fence. 'In my opinion, sir, I think we've lost them, the entire batch contaminated.'
'What's causing it? Why now? What's changed?' Halpen questions. 'How many Ood in total?'
'I would say about two thousand, sir.' Kess answers.
'We can write them off. That's what insurance is for.' Halpen responds and Kess nods, knowing that Halpen is probably grinning.
In his office, Halpen is staring at the patch of hair he's just rubbed out of his head. He stares at the rubbish bin and looks over to Sigma.
'Drink. We've plenty more on the breeding forms. Let's start again,' Halpen takes the drink and gulps it down. 'Fetch the canisters. No survivors.' He instructs Kess.
'My pleasure, sir.' Kess responds and directs the men.
Rose, the Doctor and Donna stop outside another warehouse. The Doctor turns in a small circle and smiles.
'Oh can you hear it? I didn't need a map; I should've listened!' The Doctor replies and Rose closes her eyes, she doesn't really hear anything, maybe faint noise.
He pulls out the screwdriver and sonics the door, everyone piles inside and the Doctor locks the door behind them.
'So, does that mean we're locked in?' Donna questions but the Doctor quiets her down.
'Listen. Listen, listen, listen, listen,' The Doctor closes his eyes briefly before he opens them again. He walks forward until there are steps leading further down into the warehouse. They walk down them and come face to face with cages. 'Oh, my head.'
'What's wrong?' Rose asks.
'Can't you hear it? The singing?' The Doctor questions, but Donna shakes her head. Rose is unsure and she struggles to listen.
'Maybe…' Rose tries and she bends down to see in the cage. She gasps and sees the Ood huddled together in one of the cages. The Doctor switches on a light. 'Why do they look different?'
'Yeah, they look so different from the others.' Donna agrees.
'That's because they're natural born Ood. Unprocessed. Before they're adapted to slavery. Unspoiled,' The Doctor and Donna join Rose as they kneel in front of the cage. 'That's their song.'
'I can't hear it.' Donna says quietly.
'Do you want to?' The Doctor asked and Donna turns to face him.
'Yeah.'
'It's the song of captivity.' The Doctor warns but Donna shakes her head.
'Let me hear it.'
He nods and the Doctor places his fingertips on her temples. 'Open your mind. That's it. Hear it, Donna…hear the music.'
Donna gasps and she faces the Ood, trying her hardest not to cry.
'I can faintly hear it…' Rose closes her eyes.
'Rose?' The Doctor questions and she nods.
'Yes…please.' She feels his fingers on her temple and he enters her mind. She pictures the door to keep things he isn't supposed to know behind there. They're all about him anyway. He can't know his own future. The Doctor is slightly taken back. She's hiding something, and he does his best not to pry. He opens her mind and she takes his hand suddenly, as the lamenting song enters her mind.
Rose turns to face the Ood, she feels the tears fall down her face as she bites her lip and feels her heart breaking for them.
'Take it away.' Donna breaks and shuts her eyes.
'You sure?' The Doctor asks.
'I can't bear it…' Donna chokes back a sob and the Doctor repeats the process on her. 'I'm sorry.'
'It's okay,' The Doctor smiles a bit. 'Rose?'
Rose is unable to stop her tears from falling and she grips the cage bars. She reaches her hand into the cramped quarters of the cage. The Ood stare at her, unmoving as Rose falls deeper into despair, wanting to do something to help them. 'I'm sorry…' Rose whispers softly.
'Rose…' She turns back to the Doctor and brushes away her tears with his thumb. She nods and he tries to repeat the same process, but he can't seem to close her mind to it. He frowns and tries harder; it only manages to cause her to gasp.
'Doctor…?' Rose tries; she doesn't understand why the song hasn't been muted in her mind.
'I'm sorry, I can't…' He frowns and lets go.
'That's fine, don't worry, we can figure it out later.' Rose replies and he continues to stare at her. What has he done?
'Doctor, can you still hear that?' Donna questions and he turns to her.
'All the time.' He smiles sadly. Rose looks to the cage and covers her mouth.
'Rose?' Donna puts her hand on her shoulder.
'I'm okay, it's just so heartbreaking.' Rose continues to stare at the cage. They have to stop this injustice.
Halpen, Ryder and Solana arrive outside of the Ood Conversion warehouse. They are positive the intruders at holding up in here. There is a guard standing outside.
'Well, what's the hold up?' Halpen demands.
'The experimentation lab's maximum security. He's fused the system.' Ryder informs him.
'Don't just stand there! Get bolt cutters! Rip that door off!' Halpen instructs the guard. He turns to Solana. 'Solana, go back to the reps. I don't want any of them wandering off and seeing this. And get them away from the Ood, just in case. Hurry up!' Halpen stresses.
'Yes, sir.' Solana takes off running.
'Doctor, can you open the cage?' Rose asked and the Doctor grinned.
'Way a head of you, Rose.' The Doctor sonics the cage doors. A loud noise is heard and Donna turns to it.
'They're breaking in.' Donna states.
'Ah, let them.' The Doctor opens the doors and Rose heads in. The Ood shuffle away from her and she frowns.
'It's okay, we won't hurt you.' Rose smiles kindly to them. The Doctor notices something in their hands.
'What are you holding?' The Doctor asks and the Ood look at him shyly.
'We're your friends.' Rose tries.
'Friend. Doctor, Rose, Donna. Doctor, Donna, Rose. Friend. Look at us. Let me see,' The Doctor waits patiently and an Ood slowly comes closer to Rose and the Doctor. 'That's it. That's it, go on. Go on.'
The Ood holds out his cupped hands and removes the top one to reveal something that causes Rose to gasp and look over to the Doctor.
'Doctor…is…that?' Rose breathes.
'Is it really?' Donna gets closer.
'It's a brain. A hindbrain. The Ood are born with a secondary brain. Like the amygdala in humans, it processes memory and emotion. You get rid of that, you wouldn't be, Rose or Donna anymore. You'd be like an Ood. A processed Ood.'
'Those horrific people cut off their brains.' Rose balls her fist.
'Right, and then they stitch on the translator.' The Doctor states, disgusted.
'So like a lobotomy,' Donna whispers and shakes her head. 'I spent all that time looking for you, Doctor, because I thought it would be wonderful out here. I want to go home.' Rose and the Doctor turn to Donna, stunned, but have no time to react to her statement as their captors have arrived.
'They're with the Ood, sir.' A guard calls over to the remaining group and the Doctor shuts the cage door.
'What are you gonna do, then? Arrest me? Lock me up? Well, you're too late! Hah!' The Doctor taunts, but as their captors approach them, one has a bit of a smirk on his face.
The Doctor, Rose and Donna sigh as guards handcuff them to a pipe in the main building. The same man who was grinning at them in the warehouse approaches them and shakes his head.
'Why don't you just come out and say it? FOTO activists.' The man states and everyone exchanges looks.
'If that's what Friends of the Ood are trying to prove, then yes.' The Doctor nods his head.
'The Ood were nothing without us, just animals roaming around on the ice.' The man reiterates but Rose shakes her head.
'You can't hear them. You don't understand because you can't hear them. It's their song, a song of captivity!' Rose informs him.
'They welcomed it! It's not as if they put up a fight!' The man cries out defensively.
'You idiot! They're born with their brains in their hands, don't you see? That makes them peaceful! They've got to be because a creature like that would have to trust anyone it meets.' Donna states the last part softly.
'Nice one.' The Doctor compliments and Rose smiles and nods her head.
'Thank you.' Donna replies. The man seems less than impressed.
'The system's worked for two hundred years. All we've got is a rogue batch. But the infection is about to be sterilised,' The man reaches for his comm. 'Mr. Kess, how do we stand?'
'Canisters primed, sir. As soon as the core heats up, the gas released.' Kess states.
'You're going to gas them?!' The Doctor yells.
'You're a monster! How dare you!' Rose tugs at her cuffs with vigor.
'Kill the livestock. The classic foot and mouth solution. Still works.' The man states nonchalantly.
As the guards continue to move canisters into position, Kess puts on a gas mask and chuckles. The fenced in Ood, now with red eyes, stand in a circle their hands out to their sides. They join the unprocessed Ood in their song, the volume increasing drastically.
Solana can't get the image out of her head. The Ood had killed a rep, with its translator ball. Then they all started. Thank god she managed to escape out the back door. She continues to run until a guard stops her.
'They've gone insane, miss! They've gone mad, all of them!' The guard states frantically.
Together they see a group of Ood approaching them. Solana backs away and looks on in horror. 'Just shoot them! Shoot to kill!' Solana cries out and runs off as she hears the guards open fire. Sadly she stops to watch, and doesn't hear the Ood come up behind her.
The canisters are continuing the countdown, disregarding the alarm that has started to sound. Kess stares up to the ceiling, hearing the alarm, and then back down to the Ood. It seems to agitate them further.
'What's going on out there?!' Kess demands as he hears the exterior door opening, and more of the red eyed Ood pile in.
In Halpen's office, Halpen, Ryder and Sigma abruptly leave and head out into the snowy complex grounds. He stares as the guards are shooting at the Ood.
'Emergency Status! Emergency Status!'
Halpen stops and looks down on the fighting, he becomes more and more confused.
'It's a revolution.' Ryder breathes as he continues to stare in disbelief.
Halpen pushes past Ryder and goes back up the stairs he's just come by. Sigma follows Halpen dutifully. Ryder isn't far behind.
The red-eyed Ood have locked Kess behind the fence while the canisters continue their countdown. His gasmask is on the other side of the fence.
'Come back! Let me out of here!' He screams at the Ood. The canisters reach the final countdown and release the gas, Kess screams from the pain.
Halpen returns to where the Doctor, Rose and Donna are still handcuffed.
'Change of plan.' He states.
'No reports of trouble off world, sir. It still contained to the Ood Sphere.' Ryder informs Halpen and he nods.
'Then we have a public duty to stop it before it spreads.' He concludes.
'What's happening?' The Doctor questions.
'Everything you wanted, Doctor. No doubt there'll be a full police investigation once this place has been sterilised. I'll leave you to the mercies of the Ood.' Halpen smirks and heads to the door.
'But, Mr. Halpen, there's something else, isn't there? Something we haven't seen.' The Doctor tries. Halpen stops at door.
'What are you talking about?' Donna inquires.
'Again, so clever.' Halpen compliments and the Doctor shrugs.
'It's got to be connected to the red eye. What is it?'
Halpen grins and looks the Doctor in the eye. 'It won't exist for very much longer. Enjoy your Ood.' Halpen, Ryder and the two accompanying guards.
'Doctor, any bright ideas?' Rose looks over as she yanks on her cuffs.
'Hurry up, Spaceman.' Donna tries to wriggle her hand out of her cuff.
'I'm working on it!' The Doctor looks over to them as they continue to try and break out of their restraints.
Halpen, Ryder, a guard and Sigma continue to run across the chilly compound. There is only one way to stop the madness.
'Dr. Ryder, Warehouse 15.' Halpen instructs and he nods, but Ryder looks over to Sigma.
'What about this one?' He motions to Sigma and Halpen stops.
'No! You've not turned. Faithful to the last. Go. Join your people,' Halpen and Ryder bow their heads as Sigma leaves. 'Come on!'
Halpen and Ryder continue to their destination, unaware that Sigma is watching them before he too, leaves.
'Spaceman! Do something! You're the one with all the tricks! You must've met Houdini!' Donna calls over.
'She makes a good point.' Rose tugs more.
'These are really good handcuffs!' The Doctor replies defensively.
'Oh, I'm glad of that. At least we've got quality!' Donna shouts.
The door opens and they all stop their struggle when they see the Ood standing there before they start advancing.
'We need to try to convince them we're on their side!' Rose continues to yank at her cuffs. 'The circle must be broken!' She tries, shouting to them.
'Doctor, Donna, Rose, friends!' The Doctor follows her lead.
'Friends, the circle must be broken!' Donna calls out.
'The circle must be broken!' Rose repeats.
'Doctor, Donna, Rose, friends!'
'Friends, the circle must be broken!'
'The circle must be broken!'
'Doctor, Donna, Rose, friends!'
'Friends, the circle must be broken!'
'The circle must be broken!'
'Doctor, Donna, Rose, friends!'
'Friends, the circle must be broken!'
'Friends, friends, friends!' The Doctor tries another approach, but the Ood continue to advance. Their speech becomes quicker.
'Friends, we're friends!' Rose cries.
'The circle must be broken!' Donna cries desperately.
'Doctor, Donna, Rose, friends!' The Doctor yanks at his cuffs again. The Ood take out their translator balls and stop mere inches from the little group.
Their translator balls switch off and the Ood clutch their heads in pain. One finally lifts his head and his eyes have returned to their normal colour.
'Doctor. Donna. Rose. Friends.' He replies.
'That's right! That's right!' Rose cries out.
'That's us!' Donna nods her head.
'That's us! Friends! Oh, yes!' The Doctor grins. The Ood uncuffs them and together, they run out into the complex grounds.
Together they run down the stairs and stand in the openness of the ground. There is massive fighting everywhere. They continue to run across the grounds and try to dodge the fighting. The Doctor stops as he tries to get his bearings, he turns in a small circle.
'Doctor, what is it?' Rose inquires and she stops beside him.
'I don't know where it is! I don't know where've they've gone!' The Doctor replies frantically and looks around
What are we looking for?!' Donna tries to get him to focus, but he's already taken off running.
'Might be underground, like some sort of cave, or a cavern or…' The Doctor is cut off as a mighty explosion sends everyone to the ground. Rose lands on her back and hisses, there must be an already nasty bruise there.
'Everyone okay?' The Doctor helps Donna up and Rose pulls herself to her feet.
'Doctor, look.' Rose points to the figure standing as the smoke clears. It's the Ood that Halpen has had with him.
In Warehouse 15, Halpen has begun to talk rather frantically. 'It's always been an option. My grandfather drew up the plans. That's the advantage of a family run business, Dr. Ryder, the personal touch.' Halpen smirks.
'But we should evacuate. If we can get to the rocket shed…' Halpen, who waves his hand dismissively, cuts off Ryder.
'No need. We've got this,' Halpen goes over to a cabinet and opens it. 'Detonation packs,' He takes out the devices and hands them to Ryder. 'Place them around the circumference. We're gonna blow it up. This thing dies…so does the Ood.'
He begins to place the detonation packs along the railing.
Sigma leads the Doctor, Rose and Donna to Warehouse 15. The Doctor pulls out the screwdriver and uses it on the keypad and the door opens. Once they are inside, the Doctor, Rose and Donna are finally able to glimpse at the being responsible for preventing the Ood from fighting each other.
'Doctor…is that…' Rose grips the railing for a better look. Donna stands beside Rose and feels herself stare in disbelief. It looks like a giant brain surrounded, or imprisoned, in an energy field.
'The Ood brain,' The Doctor stands beside Rose and grips the railing. 'Now it all makes sense. That's the missing link. The third element, binding them together. Forebrain, hindbrain and this. The telepathic centre. It's a shared mind…connecting all the Ood in song.'
A weapon clicks behind them and everyone turns to see Halpen holding a gun on them.
'Cargo. I can always go into cargo. I've got the rockets; I've got the sheds. Smaller business. Much more manageable without livestock.' Halpen informs them.
'He's mined the area.' Ryder states.
'You are going to kill it.' Donna reiterates.
'They found that thing centuries ago beneath the northern glacier.' Halpen states and waves his hand.
'Doctor, Donna, look, the pylons.' Rose points.
'They're in a circle. 'The circle must be broken.'' Donna widens her eyes and Rose nods.
'Dampening the telepathic field, stopping the Ood from connection for two hundred years.' The Doctor replies, disgusted.
'And you, Ood Sigma, you brought them here. I expected better.' Halpen points his finger at Sigma who blinks back.
'My place is at your side, sir.' Sigma moves to stand beside Halpen.
Halpen chuckles. 'Still subservient. Good Oo…' Halpen can't seem to finish his sentence as Sigma looks on.
'If that barrier thing's in place, how come the Ood started breaking out?' Donna wonders.
'Maybe it's taken centuries to adapt. The subconscious reaching out.' The Doctor surmises and Rose looks down to the brain.
'But the process was too slow, had to be accelerated. You should never have give me access to the control, Mr. Halpen. I lowered the barrier to its minimum. Friends of the Ood, sir. It's taken me years to infiltrate the company. And I succeeded.' Ryder smirks, Halpen walks towards him.
'Yes. Yes, you did.' Halpen agrees and pushes Ryder over the railing. He is instantly absorbed into the brain. Rose gasps and looks over the edge.
'You…murdered him.' Donna manages to get out.
'Very observant, Ginger. Now then, can't say I've ever shot anyone before…can't say I'm gonna like it, but, uh, it's not exactly a normal day, is it? Still…' Halpen aims his gun at the group and the Doctor moves in front of Rose and Donna.
'Would you like a drink, sir?' Sigma offers and his question draws a laugh from Halpen.
'I think hair loss is the least of my problems right now, thanks.' Halpen responds, there is still a chuckle in his voice. Sigma stands in front of the Doctor, Rose and Donna. He continues to hold out the shot glass.
'Please have a drink, sir.' Sigma states. The Doctor places a hand on Sigma's shoulder.
'If…if you're gonna stand in their way, I'll shoot you too.' Halpen is having problems speaking. Rose takes her place beside Sigma and Donna stands beside the Doctor.
'Please have a drink, sir.' Sigma holds out the glass.
'Have…have you…poisoned me?' Halpen demands.
'Natural Ood must never kill, sir.' Sigma responds.
'What is that stuff?'
'Ood graft suspended in a biological compound.' Sigma informs him. Halpen continues to look decidedly unwell.
'What the hell does that mean?' Halpen shouts.
'Oh dear…' The Doctor tries to hide a smirk.
'Doctor?' Rose tilts her head. 'What did Ood Sigma do?'
'Tell me!' Halpen yells to them.
'Funny thing, the subconscious. Takes all sorts of shapes. It came out in the red eye as revenge. It came out in the rabid Ood as anger. And then there was patience. All that intelligence and mercy focused on Ood Sigma,' The Doctor shoves his hands into his pockets. 'How's the hair loss, Mr. Halpen?' The Doctor grins.
'What have you done?' He cries out in desperation.
'Oh, they've been preparing you for a very long time. And now you're standing next to the Ood brain. Mr. Halpen, can you hear it? Listen.'
Halpen widens his eyes as the song enters his mind. 'What have you…I'm not…'
Sigma steps out of the way and Halpen drops his gun, gripping his head in agony. He continues to pull at his scalp, clawing repeatedly at it until the skin loosens. As it comes away, it reveals an Ood head underneath and tentacles force their way out of his mouth.
'They…turned him into an Ood.' Rose covers her mouth.
'Yup.' The Doctor nods.
'He's an Ood.' Donna tilts her head.
'I noticed.'
Halpen makes a strange gurgling noise before he eventually coughs up his secondary brain. Ood Sigma turns to the three of them.
'He has become Ood kind and we will take care of him.'
'Even after all he has done to you and the Ood?' Rose inquires and Sigma nods.
'We must.' And Rose offers a small smile as she nods her head.
'It's weird, being with you,' Donna starts and the Doctor and Rose turn to face her. 'I can't tell what's right and what's wrong anymore.'
'I know the feeling.' Rose admits.
'It's better that way. People who know for certain tend to be like Mr. Halpen,' The Doctor is cut off by a rather loud beeping. 'Oh!' He turns off the detonation packs. 'That's better. And now…Ood Sigma, will you allow me the honour?' The Doctor turns to Sigma.
'It is yours, Doctor.' Sigma nods.
'Oh yes!' The Doctor goes over to the equipment that has been powering field on the Ood brain. 'Stifled for over two hundred years but not anymore. The circle is broken. The Ood can sing!'
The field surrounding the brain is shut off and the song becomes real, to everyone, heard by everyone and Donna breaks out in a wide smile.
'I can hear it!'
Sigma raises his arms and Rose looks down to the brain, smiling. It was finally free. She feels the Doctor wrap his arm around her shoulders and she looks up, grinning.
Outside, the fighting between the guards and the red-eyed Ood ceases as the guards put down their weapons. The Ood stand in a circle and join in on their song.
The Ood are standing with the Doctor, Rose and Donna just outside the TARDIS.
'The message has gone out. That song resonated across the galaxies. Everyone has heard it. Everyone knows. The rockets are bringing them back. The Ood are coming home.' The Doctor informs them and Rose can't stop smiling. Even Donna feels herself enjoying this victory.
'We thank you, Doctor-Donna, and you Rose, friends of Ood kind,' Sigma nods. 'And what of you now? Will you stay? There is room in the song for you.' Sigma offers but the Doctor holds up his hands.
'Oh…I've, I've sorta got a song of my own, thanks.' The Doctor informs him.
'I think your song must end soon.' Sigma replies, his statements drips of a hidden meaning.
'Meaning?' The Doctor frowns. Rose quietly hides her fear, she wonders if this is alluding to the…to his end. Again she thinks back to the time the Doctor visited her while she was stuck in 1969. He didn't have much time, he informed her. Could this be it? Is their separation coming?
'Every song must end. Like every journey has an end. Legends are born from stories, but all stories must end.' Sigma restates and the Doctor nods a bit.
'Yeah…' He draws his speech out and turns to Donna. 'Um, what about you? Do you still want to go home?'
'Please stay, Donna…' Rose pleads and Donna smiles.
'Yeah, I'm not going anywhere.'
'Right, well then, we'll be off.' The Doctor states and Rose hugs Donna quickly. She's only been with them a short while, and Rose can't imagine not having her around.
'Take this song with you.' Sigma informs them.
'We will.' Rose nods.
'Always.' The Doctor agrees.
'And know this, Doctor-Donna and Rose, you will never be forgotten. Our children will sing of the Doctor-Donna and Rose, and our children's children, and the wind and the ice and the snow will carry your names forever.'
The Doctor, Rose and Donna step into the TARDIS and it begins to dematerialise, leaving the Ood singing as the TARDIS fades away.
Donna stands at the console with the Doctor as Rose sits on the chair, rubbing her back.
'I'm freezing,' Donna announces. 'I'm going to find the kitchen.' And heads out of the console room. She needs to process what's just happened with the Ood. What is right any more?
Rose notices that the Doctor hasn't said anything and so she goes over to him. He's bent over the controls and embraces him, wrapping her arms around his middle.
'Are you okay?'
'Yeah, I'll be fine.'
'You're thinking about what Ood Sigma said, aren't you?' Rose rests her cheek on his back. She knows she can't stop thinking about it. It's like everything she's seen in his future is starting to come full circle.
'Yeah…'
'That's the Ood, always mysterious.' Rose remembers.
'My song doesn't end…the journey won't end…right?' The Doctor questioned and Rose closed her eyes. Oh, if only she could tell him, something, anything to let him know. To prepare him. To think of how he looked when she accidently met him in 1969, was the hardest thing she ever saw.
'Of course it won't. We still have so much to do, yeah?' Rose said softly. She won't betray her feelings. His life will change; she knows that, his life will continue without her. It always does. One song ends, but another takes its place. His song will end, she knows it will, but his life continues on.
'Yeah, we do don't we?' The Doctor smiles and turns around to embrace her.
'I'll always be here…' Rose lied.
'I know. He was wrong, Ood Sigma, my life won't change, my song won't end. And the journey sure as hell won't end.'
'That's right, everything will be the same.' Rose replies and silently her heart is breaking. But whenever he doubts who he is, she will always ground him again. She never wants him to see the destruction, the devastation. He doesn't always have the best coping skills.
Together they hold each other in a tight embrace, and Rose only hopes that their separation will stay away, for as long as possible. But, she is at the mercy of time, she always is.
Hey guys!
I'm sorry it's taking me longer to get these stories written. Life is getting in the way, and of course, since Christmas is coming, I don't know what my updating will be like, but I'll try to remain as consistent as possible.
How do you like this one? I'm just all angst this go round, sorry for that. I'm glad you all liked the last chapter, I really do.
I'm also so glad the response has been positive for the length of my chapters. I'm glad everyone likes it.