The Doctor paced up and down the long narrow cell. A cold sweat coated him as he ran his fingers through his soaked hair. His usually smart appearance was ruined by his now dirty and torn jacket; the shoulder seam lay frayed and gaping. The only thing he could do was straighten his bow tie as he paced on.

"Damnit!" he yelled hitting the bars fiercely with his fists. His yell echoed around him and faded leaving only the constant, 'drip, drip, drip' to keep him company. His hands gripped the bars tightly until his knuckles turned white, "Think," he whispered pressing his cheek against the cold bars in front of him, "Think..." A bead of sweat fell from his brow onto the damp stone floor. He felt sick, sick and helpless. This was not a position he was used to being in... if you discounted the Pandorica scenario. He opened his eyes suddenly, as if someone had just turned the light on. He padded himself down hurriedly; a smile grew on his face. He delved into his inside pocket, how could he have possibly overlooked his faithful screwdriver?

"Brilliant..." he breathed, "... now..." he looked around the sealed cell, "...where's the lock...?" It soon dawned on the dazed Doctor that there were no locks, no apparent way in or out, "But how is that possible?" he puzzled rushing to the stone wall that occupied three quarters of the cell around him. His screwdriver buzzed, flashed and extended, he examined it carefully.

"Oooh," he murmured darkly, "That is absolutely very not good" Moving quickly to the opposite side of the cell he tested the bars with his screwdriver, passing it over every single edge. He checked the result once more, "... okay don't panic... do not panic," he tapped his forehead with the screwdriver, eyes clenched tightly shut, "... an impossible... prison..." Opening his eyes he spun on the spot looking all around the cell, "But why...?" His mind momentarily paused, his thoughts wandered to... to River. The Doctor shook his head, that woman jumped out of spaceships. She could handle herself; he had to trust that she could handle this. He began to pace once more tapping his temple with his screwdriver. He'd been sent to a cell to be held, so that he could be deleted by the Cybermen. Why would he be sent to a cell that was seemingly... undetectable? A buzz, crack and flash interrupted his train of thought. He spun to face the direction it had come from. His jaw dropped... his eyes were wide.

"How did you do that...?"

She struggled; she struggled until her muscles ached. Her flat soled boots scraped along the floor in protest as she was dragged further into darkness, further towards the screams. The corridors now were a long way away from the highly polished marble floors back in the hall. Dirty, damp concrete lined the floors coated in a layer of green mould. Finally the end of the corridor seemed in sight. A door, blue flashing lights shone beyond it, highlighting the frame.

"No..." she gasped panic taking over her, "Please! No!" A buzz, hiss and flash illuminated the corridor behind them suddenly. River felt her left arm being tugged backwards roughly, freed momentarily from the Guard holding her. He regained his grip of her immediately, still looking suspiciously down the empty corridor. River looked down at the wrist strap she was now wearing; surely she'd not had it on the whole time... had she? The sound of heavy metal footsteps made her look up at the now open door. A large robotic silhouette was stood facing them. It stepped mechanically out into the light. She didn't recall ever seeing a Cyberman before; this was certainly something to add to the diary if they managed to escape this almost inevitable fate. The screams were loud now, they pierced the air forcing her to screw her face as her ears tingled with the sound.

"You are not compatible," the Cyberman declared.

"Compatible?" she looked confused. As far as she knew ... Cybermen barely rejected anyone sent to be assimilated, "what do you mean?"

"You are not compatible," it repeated. River stared into its emotionless face. They were much bigger than she'd imagined. She took mental note of the emblem stamped into its chest, the receivers which made up the head... the gun... wow... the gun that was attached to its arm, "You will be deleted" It raised the gun to her face.

"Not yet," she replied calmly. With all the strength she could manage she pulled her right arm free and slammed her hand down on the button on the vortex manipulator. In a flash she'd disappeared. The Guards looked to each other holding thin air, a cold sweat formed over them as they looked nervously at the Cyberman.

"Failure will not be accepted," the robot declared.