Chapter 17

During the walk back from the cell holding the Master, the Doctor had already decided he needed to find out first hand what was going on at the hospital but he knew it would be tricky. He just hoped that they hadn't upped their security just yet because no doubt they had found him on the security camera, with Donna.

The Master had just told him that the Dalek was planning and carrying out genetic engineering inside the hospital. He needed to find out where it was happening and what they were actually doing.

He entered the console room and moved towards the central screen and began a scan of the building. He couldn't tell much from the results but what he did find was that there was a low level security field surrounding the basement which conveniently stopped him from seeing what was inside but it wasn't hard to guess what. It was common knowledge that everyone involved in secret goings on use the basement for their secret operations. And this would be no different.

"So what happened?" asked Donna, from behind him, "Did you listen to him?"

"I went down there didn't I?" replied the Doctor, looking at her

She instantly gave him a 'you know what I mean' look.

"Yes, I listened," the Doctor sighed

"And?"

"And I listened," said the Doctor, evasively, looking back at the screen

There was an exasperated sigh from Donna. It was much easier to get blood from stone than get info from the Doctor, at the moment.

"But what did he say, Doctor?" she asked

"What's with all the questions?" he asked, tetchily

"What's with all the attitude?" demanded Donna, crossing her arms,

"I haven't got an attitude!" retorted the Doctor,

"What's that then?" she replied, laughing

"Alright, alright!" said the Doctor irritably, "He wanted to have a truce between me and him," he replied, turning around to look at her.

"And you didn't agree?" mused Donna,

"Of course I agreed, its just I haven't told him yet," replied the Doctor, looking at her, "but its just I think theres more to it then what he's saying."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," replied the Doctor,

"You still think he could be in league with the Dalek, even after what he says," remarked Donna. The Doctor looked surprised at her answer. How did she know that?

"I can see it plastered over your face," she replied, as if reading his thoughts.

"Oh," said the Doctor then he looked a little sheepish.

"So what you looking for now?" she asked, walking over and standing beside him. The Doctor turned back to the scanner.

"To see if I can pick up any clues by scanning the hospital building," he replied, as he twisted a few more dials and pushed a few buttons.

"Right," she replied watching the screen, "So what have you found?" she asked, as she sat down on the captains chair.

"A low level security field around the basement of the hospital. They are definitely hiding something down there," he replied.

"What do you think is down there?" asked Donna

"Well, we have a Dalek, a hospital, people going missing and a security field around the basement… equalling nothing good," explained the Doctor, looking at Donna.

"Oh and the Master told me that they are doing genetic engineering and I'm positive that its down there," he added, pointing at the bottom of the screen.

"So when are we going?" asked Donna, eagerly

"We aren't going anywhere; I'm going to have a look and see what's going on," replied the Doctor,

"What?" exclaimed Donna, in surprise.

"Its too dangerous for you at the moment," pleaded the Doctor,

"But what about you?" retorted Donna, "You're not exactly bullet proof are you?"

"I'll be fine but they would be looking for you. If they found you, then they would capture you and I don't want you harmed. That's why its best if you stayed here in the TARDIS because, for one, they don't know where we are and, two, someone needs to be here to look after our special guest," replied the Doctor, walking towards the TARDIS doors, and grabbing his coat.

"But…" began Donna, rushed towards him, after placing her cup on the captains chair.

"Please Donna, trust me. I will come back," said the Doctor, urgently, thrusting out his arms to stop her.

"But what if you don't?" questioned Donna, anxiously, "what do I do then?"

"I will, don't worry," replied the Doctor, as he opened the door, "see you in a bit," he smiled, as he slipped out leaving an anxious Donna behind.

The Doctor walked away from the TARDIS, feeling guilty for leaving Donna behind inside the TARDIS, but that was the best place for her to be at the moment.

The body of the soldier, the Master had killed earlier was still lying near the far wall as he approached the end of the alley. Its skin had a grey tinge to it now, and a large pool of congealed blood, reached across the floor.

As the Doctor, looked at the body, he felt responsible for what had happened to him even though he hadn't pulled the trigger. It didn't matter. Another person had died as a result of his and the Masters continuing feud and many more had as result of what was going on inside the hospital. He had to try and stop it.

He looked back behind him to the TARDIS. He smiled slightly at the sight, "see you soon and look after her," he whispered to it and then turned away and quickly walked up the alley towards the square and the hospital.

After a few minutes, he finally reached the square. The Doctor stopped and looked around the corner, looking for any hostile obstacles he had to overcome. He took out his sonic screwdriver and scanned the area, just to make sure his eyes were telling him the truth. Happy that there were no immediate problems, he placed it back inside his jacket pocket and walked into the square and towards the hospital. He still looked about him, every sense on edge, acutely aware that anyone could be around and spot him and alert the Dalek. And, that he couldn't afford at the moment.

As he entered the hospital, it was as it was before; empty and clean with no shop. That didn't matter now. He had a job to do. He immediately walked towards the lift and pressed the 'call' button. It seemed to take forever but it finally arrived with a whoosh of the doors.

The Doctor walked in and pressed the button for the lower basement. The lift immediately started its decent. He stood to the side of the door so when the door did open he wouldn't be in plain sight of whoever was working there.

After a few moments, the doors opened. The Doctor slowly looked around the corner of the lift door and saw a large open space like a hanger for large military aircraft before him. It was impressive. But instead of being filled with planes, it was filled with hundreds of man-sized chambers each with a clone inside. The Doctor could see them inside and all of them looked like they were sleeping. He could also see three scientists around each one of them. No one was looking at the lift. Luckily, for him. He took out his sonic screwdriver and pointed it at the lift controls nearest to him and gave it a short buzz. Instantly, he heard a small metallic click of the lift override, stopping the lift from moving. He looked quickly around the corner to see if the noise and the open lift had alerted any but still no one was watching.

So this was it. If he wanted to find out what was really going on and stop it, he had to look around. Meaning, he would have to mingle and that would bring up some awkward questions. Luckily, he had his trusty psychic paper and that always helped. Hopefully, they didn't have basic psychic training or then it would become tricky; very tricky.

So, with psychic paper in hand he took a step into the middle of the lift. With a deep breath, he headed out of the lift and into open room.