The TARDIS made its usual groaning, wheezing sounds as it came into full form on the surface of the planet. Whatever creatures may have been on the planet previously had scattered at the sight and sound of the strange blue box.
The Doctor was the first to emerge, curiosity and wonder gleaming in his eyes.
He took a tentative step out of the TARDIS, and found that the earth beneath his feet was made out of solid geometric shapes of dirt and foliage. Triangles, rhombuses, parallelograms, pentagons, hexagons, and many other shapes, which all fit together like some sort of strange puzzle, linking and interlocking to form a lumpy, yet defined surface of earth and moss. Even the roots of the trees and shrubs seemed to follow the pattern, slipping between each shape perfectly.
Jamie was next to follow, with Victoria hanging back for as long as she could, before reluctantly walking out with them. They both noticed the strangely geometric surface of the planet, while the Doctor was engrossed with his surroundings.
Immediately to the left of the TARDIS was a large building, dome-shaped, yet made with the same geometric pattern. To the right was just dense jungle and scrubland.
Without waiting to consider any possible dangers, the Doctor began striding towards the building, hands thrust deep in the pockets of his shabby black coat.
"'ey, Doctor!" Jamie called.
"Yes?" The Doctor replied, stopping in his stride.
"Where are we anyhow? This disnae look like Scotland to me." He said, huffing with slight homesickness.
"Well spotted Jamie." The Doctor replied, with a slight air of condescension. "I'm afraid I… I'm not quite sure." He said, examining the geometric ground beneath their feet. "The structure of this planet seems to be impossibly coordinated…" He mused, sweeping his hand across a hexagonal piece of earth. "Clearly programmed, although how a being could program the construction of a planet…" He murmured, trailing off.
He stood up and took a look at the domed building instead, taking in its exact shape and size. He would have continued, had Victoria not interrupted his train of thought.
"Doctor, I don't like this place." She said quietly. Jamie took a step closer to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Easy there, I'm sure the Doctor knows what he's doing." He said, smiling at her. She didn't return the smile, as at that exact moment the Doctor was crouching down and digging in the earth like a small dog. He stood up again, holding a soft pile of earth in his hand. It seemed even the grains of soil on this planet were geometric in design.
"Hm, yes, very peculiar…" He murmured, before dusting his hands together, and proceeding to move on examining the dome.
Jamie sighed, feeling himself about to get embroiled in another wild escapade. Although, provided there were no more phantom pipers, he would be fine… he hoped. He stepped to follow the Doctor, and felt Victoria come close behind him, whether for security or comfort he wasn't sure.
Upon drawing closer to the dome, it began to pulsate with light, a pale white glow seeping out from where the geometric blocks linked together. As they drew ever nearer, some of the blocks began to grind as they slid out of their path, revealing an entrance to the dome.
"Into the wild we go…" The Doctor murmured, as he led the way into the dome, into the vast darkness in front of them.
Upon entering, the door behind them reformed, closing up and plunging them into utter blackness.
"Doctor…" Victoria whispered, trembling. "I'm frightened…"
"Don't worry, my dear…" He replied. "I have a feeling the constructors of this dome will reveal themselves shortly…"
As if on cue, several bright lights blinked on, revealing the centre of the dome was a large podium, on which stood three humanoid beings, clad in robes and dark metal helmets which covered their faces entirely.
"Approach." One of them announced. It was strange, but although the voice came from the middle person, it seemed to somehow be repeated quietly from the other two, as if they were both echoing him.
The Doctor, Jamie and Victoria each took a step forwards, coming closer to the podium.
"You are on the planet Rova." The first told him.
"We are the Thinkers." The trio told them. "We have become the most intelligent beings in the universe."
They each held out their hands to the time-travellers.
"You may join us, become one with us, and aid us in our quest of improving the universe, if you can prove your intelligence."
"If you cannot…" One said.
"Then you will be exiled to the wilderness of Rova…"
"And to the beasts which roam there."
Silence pervaded the dome after this statement, leaving the trio of time-travellers to question their safety in this place.
"Doctor," Jamie began.
"Yes Jamie, I'm aware…" The Doctor said, his face turning grim. "It appears we don't have a choice. We must do as they say, as I doubt any of us have a desire to go back outside" The Thinkers began to walk towards them, stepping down the podium, each still holding out one hand.
"Let us begin." They announced.