Mira sat on the edge of the console room chair, her fingers absentmindedly brushing over the wrist brace she had put on before leaving the medbay. The pain had dulled to a throbbing reminder of her failure, echoing in sync with her self-doubt. She winced as she tugged at the brace, her mind drifting. With both the Doctor and Rose facing away from her, she could observe their easy banter, the way they seemed to fit together so quickly.
"Right then, Rose Tyler, you tell me. Where do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time? It's your choice. What's it going to be?" The Doctor's question drew Mira back to the present, but she stayed silent, her lips barely moving as she muttered to herself, "Does it even matter? Wherever we go, I'm just useless baggage."
She tugged harder at the wrist brace, feeling the familiar sting of uselessness. Especially after failing to save Wilson... No one else seemed to notice, though. Not the Doctor, who was too busy with Rose, nor Rose herself, who barely acknowledged her. Mira's chest tightened as she realized the conversation had carried on without her. She forced herself to focus.
"Ten thousand years in the future," the Doctor announced with a flourish. "Step outside, it's the year 12005, the new Roman Empire."
"You think you're so impressive," Rose retorted, smirking, while the Doctor spun a wheel on the console, making the time rotor hum louder.
Mira looked away. They banter so well together. The ease between them made her shift uncomfortably, her gaze falling on the floor, then back to the time rotor. It moved steadily, just like the Doctor and Rose—moving forward, pulling her along, but leaving her feeling more like an afterthought than a companion. It's happening already. Rose will be the one laughing with him, running ahead while I'm just... forgotten. Left behind like a spare part. Why would he keep me around when she's everything I'm not?"Well, if I need a lesson on flirtation, I know where to look," she mumbles under her breath, rolling her eyes but forcing a slight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Where are we? What's out there?" Rose seemed both excited and apprehensive about the unknown facing her outside the doors. All the Doctor did was gesture towards the doors. As the blonde headed towards the door, the Doctor turned to the still seated Mira. "How's the wrist and ribs holding up?"
Brushing off his concerns, Mira responds forcing a smile, "I'm fine. Let's get going, you have the future to show to Rose. Wouldn't want to leave her alone too long in a mysterious place, who knows what could happen." Ensuring that the Doctor had left, she quickly turned to the TARDIS. "Please, old girl, help me out. I need something so the Doctor doesn't make a fool of himself again, you know how good he is at doing that." Seeing a panel open on the wall, Mira headed towards it. Inside she could see a share bag of fun size Mars bars. I guess some things stay consistent in any timeline: chocolate, and my knack for finding it. She grabs the share bag, hiding a small smile. Thanking the old girl, she walked out to see Rose and the Doctor in front of the glass windows showing an Earth surrounded in satellite looking objects.
Mira arrived just as the Doctor started talking to Rose. Seeming to have forgotten to wait to explain the new place to Mira.
"Mind you, when I said the great and the good, what I mean is, the rich."
"But hold on. They did this once on NewsRound Extra. The sun expanding that takes hundreds of years." Rose looked at the Doctor with confusion.
"Millions, but the planet's now property of the National Trust. They've been keeping it preserved. See down there? Gravity satellites holding back the sun." The Doctor pointed out the satellites that Mira had noticed.
Gazing down at the planet Rose voiced her confusion to the very familiar site "The planet looks the same as ever. I thought the continents shifted and things."
"They did, and the Trust shifted them back. That's a classic Earth. But now the money's run out, nature takes over."
"How long's it got?" Rose questioned him
"About half an hour and then the planet gets roasted." The Doctor said, almost jovial when discussing the planet below them.
"Is that why we're here? I mean, is that what you do? Jump in at the last minute and save the Earth?" Rose smiled hopefully up at the Doctor. Mira noticed that there was quite the height difference between the two, an almost perfect height.
"I'm not saving it. Time's up." The Doctor stopped smiling as he continued his conversation.
"But what about the people?" Mira could see that Rose was concerned. She wondered what Rose would do if the Doctor told her that anyone remained below.
"It's empty. They're all gone. No one left."
"Just me, then." Rose said sadly. Mira, under her breath but slightly bitter: "Yeah, just you. Because apparently, I'm invisible." She looks away, biting her lip, trying to push down the sting of being ignored. Mira felt a brief flash of anger about the fact that Rose had forgotten that she was there, but she let it go for now. Once this trip was over, maybe she would have a talk to the 19-year-old. I don't belong here. I'm just slowing them down. It feels like I'm in the way, standing here like a tag-along. If I left, would they even notice?
Turning around the Doctor finally noticed that Mira had come out of the TARDIS. He seemed to have noticed the bag of chocolate in her hands but before he could comment a blue alien burst into the room.
"Who the hell are you?" The Steward angrily gestured towards the three of them
"Oh, that's nice, thanks." The Doctor responded, looking mildly annoyed but smiling at the blue man.
"But how did you get in? This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked. They're on their way any second now."
"That's me. I'm a guest. Look, I've got an invitation. Look. There, you see? It's fine, you see? The Doctor plus two. I'm the Doctor, this is Rose Tyler and that's Mira Rivera. They're my plus two. Is that all right?" Aiming the psychic paper towards the Steward he gazed at it.
Finding what he was looking for, the Steward gained a mild annoyed looked on his face as he talked back to the Doctor. "Well, obviously. Apologies, et cetera. If you're on board, we'd better start. Enjoy." Stepping towards a lectern at the edge of the room, Mira watched the Stewart prepare to welcome the other guests.
Turning to face Rose and Mira the Doctor showed them the psychic paper that he used to convince the Steward. "The paper's slightly psychic. It shows them whatever I want them to see. Saves a lot of time." Mira noticed that the paper was blank. She wondered if it was because of her knowledge of the show or if he was showing them nothing. Mira quietly, with a dry tone: "Blue skin, psychic paper, and the Earth's about to get roasted. Just another day in paradise." She glances at the Doctor, trying to keep her composure, but her mind is racing with thoughts of how she can contribute more.
Rose seemed slightly scared as she responded to the Doctor, "He's blue."
"Yeah"
"Okay." Roses response told Mira that it really was not okay. Before she could get over her annoyance at the blonde and ask her how she was, the party started.
"We have in attendance the Doctor, Mira Rivera and Rose Tyler. Thank you. All staff to their positions." The Steward called from his stand. Around him the platform started filling with staff, preparing for the remaining guests.
"And now, might I introduce the next honoured guest? Representing the Forest of Cheam, we have trees, namely, Jabe, Lute and Coffa." Mira watched as three bark covered people entered the room. It mildly reminded her of Tree-beard, a human sized version, but not too different. She mildly heard the Steward continue introducing people, but was more focused on the only female in the group. I have to save Jabe. I just need to keep her away from the engine room. Simple, right?
Mira focused back on the conversation around her as she was handed a cutting in a small pot. Handing it to Rose, she pulled out the bag of Mars Bars, knowing what was coming next.
"The Gift of Peace, a relic of the human race, old human chocolate." She stepped around the Doctor to hand Jabe the gift with a bright smile. Silently thanking the TARDIS for assisting her. Nodding her head Jabe moved on to the next guest to give her gift.
"From the Silver Devastation, the sponsor of the main event, please welcome the Face of Boe." Mira turned to watch as a giant head in a box came in the room. She took one Mars bar from the share bag and handed the rest to the Doctor.
"I will be introducing us to the Face of Boe, he's an old friend of mine." Mira said to the Doctor.
Frowning the Doctor crossed his arms, hilariously to Mira still holding on to the Mars bars. "Oh, and who is he then?"
"An old friend, don't worry, he won't take me away from you." Mira winked before walking away.
Walking till she was in front of the Face of Boe, she bowed, hands spread wide and to the person caring for him said "A gift of peace, a relic from Earth, human chocolate."
"Ah old friend, it is good to see a familiar face" Boe said back to her.
"And look at you, Jack. Finally got a head big enough to match that ego of yours." She smiled, a true smile for the first time on this trip.
Laughing Jack smiled at the woman who he had not seen in person for a long time. "We will meet again Mira, two more times with this face before the end."
"Will it truly be the end Jack? You come back so often, I'm not sure you will ever permanently die."
The big Boe face just smiled at Mira before having his attendants move his tank to greet the people as the host of the event.
Walking back over to the Doctor she realised she had missed all the greetings. At least she didn't get spit on the face. That would have been disgusting.
"And last but not least, our very special guest. Ladies and gentlemen, and trees and multiforms, consider the Earth below. In memory of this dying world, we call forth the last Human. The Lady Cassandra O'Brien Dot Delta Seventeen." Into the room wheeled a paper-thin skin tapestry. Mira wondered if she could embroider on it, or if Cassandra would just burst.
"Oh, now, don't stare. I know, I know it's shocking, isn't it? I've had my chin completely taken away and look at the difference. Look how thin I am. Thin and dainty. I don't look a day over two thousand. Moisturise me. Moisturise me." Cassandra's grating voice started to hurt Mira's ears. She didn't know if it was because the historian in her hated the historical inaccuracies that Cassandra perpetuated with her 'iPod', or just because she was an awful human before her end.
"But behold, I bring gifts. From Earth itself, the last remaining ostrich egg. Legend says it had a wingspan of fifty feet and blew fire from its nostrils. Or was that my third husband? Oh, no. Oh, don't laugh. I'll get laughter lines. And here, another rarity. According to the archives, this was called an iPod. It stores classical music from humanity's greatest composers. Play on!" Mira watched at a juke box was brought into the room. As it started to play Tainted Love, she turned to the Doctor. As she turned she saw Rose walking around the talking trampoline.
"Wouldn't any of the 'End of the World' songs work better than Tainted Love?" She asked the Doctor
"It could be possible that this is the only remaining juke box from the time, or it was just the first song on the track list." The Doctor smiled down at Mira, glad that she had started talking. He wanted his companion to become more confident in herself. He had noticed that she had walked over to the Face of Boe earlier, he was grateful she was finally getting out of her shell. He still wasn't sure on her knowledge, but she had known things from his past adventure without being there.
"Hint Doc- it's just an idea." She pushed him towards Rose as she rushed out of the room. She knew she wouldn't be able to keep up with them as they ran, so she walked around trying to find a map of the ship. Schools had maps in every classroom for emergency exits, so maybe this ship had one that could direct her to the upcoming engine room. She knew she had to get there in the end. Whilst she did find a map on the wall, it lived up to its name and only showed the emergency escape pods.
As she was about to exit the room to ask someone for directions to the room, an earthquake shook the ship, well that was what it felt like to Mira. She watched as Rose and the Doctor re-entered the room, closer than when they first arrived. It's already happening. They're growing closer with every moment, and soon... I'll just be a shadow. Not even here anymore. Mira looked down at the ground, feeling defeated. I refuse to be a third wheel in their story. When we go back to London 2006, I'm going to leave. I can't stay here with this. Feeling her resolve growing, she refocused on the room and walked over to where the Doctor, Jabe and Rose had grouped together.
"Where's the engine room?" The Doctor asked Jabe.
"I don't know, but the maintenance duct is just behind our guest suite, I could show you and your wives."
"They are not my wives."
"Partners?" Jabe eyed Mira. Looking down she realised she had dressed very gender neutral for the day. Once again the Doctor replied negatively to each of Jabe's following questions.
"Whatever I am, it must be invisible. Do you mind? Tell you what, you two go and pollinate. I'm going to catch up with family. Quick word with Michael Jackson." Rose stormed off angry at the conversation between Jabe and the Doctor.
"I'm staying here, there is no way I'm going near the bitchy trampoline." Mira said to the Doctor as he questioned her not moving. Smiling down at her, the three headed to Jabe's rooms to look for the cause of the trouble on the ship.
"Who's in charge of Platform One? Is there a Captain or what?" The Doctor questioned Jabe.
"The Steward and the staff are here; the rest is controlled by the metal mind." Jabe replied. Mira noticed the difference in what Jabe said in the show and what she was currently saying. She wondered what else her presence would change as she stayed with the Doctor.
"The Corporation controls the Platform Doc, to answer your next question. There is no Corporation on board as the facility is automatic. It's considered 'unsinkable'" Mira wanted the conversation to focus more on what was happening around them rather than on gossip. She was worried about the metal spiders, especially with her arachnophobia.
The Doctor was glad she was talking but could tell that Mira was worried. "I was on board another ship once. They said that was unsinkable. I ended up clinging to an iceberg. It wasn't half cold. So, what you're saying is, if we get in trouble there's no one to help us out?"
The Doctor could see both Jabe and Mira shake their heads negatively at his statement. "Fantastic."
Confusion in her tone Jabe turned to the Doctor "I don't understand. In what way is that fantastic?"
"It is just something that he says Jabe, he considers a lot of things fantastic, even when he doesn't truly think they are. Just ignore him." Please let me save her. Please.
"So, tell me, Jabe, what's a tree like you doing in a place like this?" The Doctor was curious why an alien like Jabe would be on the Platform not of her own planet.
"Respect for the Earth"
"Oh, come on. Everyone on this platform's worth zillions." The Doctor doubted Jabe's statement, he knew it would cost a lot of be on this platform.
"Well, perhaps it's a case of having to be seen at the right occasions."
"In case your share prices drop? I know you lot. You've got massive forests everywhere, roots everywhere, and there's always money in land."
"All the same, we respect the Earth as family. So many species evolved from that planet. Mankind is only one. I'm another. My ancestors were transplanted from the planet down below, and I'm a direct descendant of the tropical rainforest."
The Doctor walked to a door panel marked 'Welcome to Platform One.' He turned his sonic towards a keypad labelled Maintenance log in. Turning it on, he received back 'Access denied'.
"And what about your ancestry, Doctor? Perhaps you could tell a story or two. Perhaps a man only enjoys trouble when there's nothing else left. I scanned you earlier. The metal machine had trouble identifying your species. It refused to admit your existence. And even when it named you, I wouldn't believe it. But it was right. I know where you're from. Forgive me for intruding, but it's remarkable that you even exist. I just wanted to say how sorry I am." Mira watched as Jabe put her hand on the Doctor's arm. Silently the Doctor placed his hand on hers. Mira could see his eyes welling up with tears. She wanted to give him a hug, to tell him she was there, but she knew that this moment was for him and Jabe.
With a click, the door opened.
Mira could see a room surrounded by metal on all sides, a catwalk running through a series of large fans. The fans were blowing so high Mira was worried that she would be pushed off the small platform they were on.
"Is it just me, or is it a bit nippy? Fair do's though, that's great air conditioning. Sort of nice and olf-fashioned. Bet they call it retro."
Mira smiled as the Doctor rambled. Watching him scan a panel and she screamed as a metal spider ran up the wall.
"What the hell's that?" Questioned the Doctor.
"Is it part of the retro?" Jabe was confused what retro was, but was more focused on the room around her.
"I don't think so. Hold on." The Doctor tried unsuccessfully to sonic the spider until Jabe lassoed it and brought it to the ground near the trio.
"Hey, nice liana." Mira wondered what a liana was, she resolved to ask the Doctor once this adventure was over. If it was going to go how she thought it would, she would have a lot of down time on her hands.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anybody." The Doctor reassured Jabe. Mira nodded her head in agreement. "Now then, who's been bringing their pets on board?"
"It causes sabotage Jabe, if that is your next question." Mira smiled at Jabe. Realising she was the shortest out of everyone in the room. "You guys head back to the main room. I'm going to wait here. Jabe do not come back to this room, make sure everyone stays away from the windows."
The Doctor nodded his head, realising what Mira was suggesting. Mira hoped that in the next 10 minutes she would not see Jabe re-enter the room. If she did, she hoped she could tell her to leave in time. Walking just outside the room, she waited for the Doctor to return. She knew that there would be running in the future and her ribs were not healed enough for that. She took a deep breath and flexed her hands. Her right hand twinged a bit, remembering the pain it had gone through in the previous adventure. She looked at her left hand, seeing the bracelet, she hoped that it would at least not bring her bad luck on this adventure.
The next 8 minutes felt like they both took 5 seconds and 5 years to pass. The room she was in had started steadily growing hotter and hotter. She knew that she would be in pain soon. Why did they have to make a metal handle in a metal room that would get hot as the room overheated.
She saw the Doctor stalking his way to the engine room once again, she turned around to join him. She was thankful to notice that Jabe had taken her advice, hopefully Moxx would be saved too.
"The switch is on the other side Doc and this lever," she pointed to the breaker lever on the wall, "Will slow the fans. Won't stop them though." She took a deep breath, preparing for pain. "You need to reach the switch."
"The heat's going to vent through this place, you are going to burn." The Doctor turned to Mira, concerned that once again, she would be injured on an adventure with him. It seemed to be a common occurrence.
"Then stop wasting time, Time Lord." She smiled at the Doctor. Holding down the lever, the resisted the urge to pull away. Her whole body tensed as she focused on making sure that the Doctor could make it to the lever. I have to do this. I have to. It's the only way. Rose would've done it better, faster. She'd already be halfway across this damn room, she could take the Doctor's place in this whole running thing. I'm useless. What if this is all I'm good for? Holding on to some stupid lever while he saves the day?
Mira felt the pain in her hands increasing, I'm going to lose this hand. No way it heals right after this. She bit her lip, trying to keep in her screams. She didn't need to distract the Doctor from getting to the fan. She didn't need him to worry about her, she didn't want him to see that she was useless. She could vaguely hear the computer Planet explodes in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five. She must have zoned out because she was startled as the Doctor grabbed her shoulder. She couldn't contain her scream anymore as she finally let go of the lever and dropped to the floor. She felt the Doctor fall to the ground next to her, grabbing hold of her wrists.
"Oh Mira, hurting yourself to save someone once again. Hopefully this doesn't become a habit." The Doctor tried to infuse humour into the situation as he rummaged through his pockets. Mira barely focused on the Doctor, more focused on the sharp burning pain running through her hands, increasing in pain through every heartbeat and laboured breath she drew. She had never been hurt this much before, even the broken wrist hurt less than this. She avoided looking at her hands, not wanting to see the damage.
"It's lucky that I packed a first aid kit huh?" The Doctor finally found what he was looking for, a first aid kit filled with various items from different time periods. He was glad that burns had been something that could be completely healed with a cream. He didn't want her to have scars from this. "You were so brave Mira, you saved everyone."
"It's nothing. I just… I had to save someone." She deflected, finally talking back to the Doctor. She looked down at the floor, missing the Doctor's brows furrowing in worry for his companion. "You need to head to observation room Doc, Rose will be waiting for you. I'll head back to the TARDIS."
"You're still hurting from the auton's aren't you, Mira." The Doctor knew it wasn't a question, she was definitely in pain more than just the burn. Seeing her reluctant nod, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a TARDIS key to put around her neck. "Frequent flyers privilege." She reverently touched the key; she had gotten one before Rose. Maybe she was wanted here. Maybe he likes me.
The Doctor helped her back to her feet, knowing that with her body weight she would struggle, especially after being in pain for so long. Forcing a smile, Mira started to head to the TARDIS, turning around to watch the Doctor's backside as he angrily went to confront Cassandra.
Finally arriving back at the TARDIS, Mira used the key to head inside. She gently stroked the TARDIS's console as she headed past, back to the medbay. She wondered as she went if she had a bedroom. She could do with resting. She felt the TARDIS shudder a little, looking around in concern, she realised that the floor had lit with lights.
"Where are you taking me old girl? I thought I'd be heading to the medbay?" Hearing the TARDIS hum, she believed that it was the ship telling her to just follow the lights already. Sighing and then smiling, she followed the lights until she reached a wooden door with her name on it. Opening the door, she gasped as she saw the room, well the bed. She focused entirely on the TARDIS on the duvet cover, seeing the swirling sky around it. The TARDIS must have made it specifically for her, especially as merchandise for the Doctor would not exist in this universe. She flopped down onto the bed face first and then knew no more. As she dreamed, she did not hear her door open as the Doctor came to check on her, nor did she feel him gently assisting her under the covers or removing her shoes. She didn't feel him kissing her forehead before he quickly sat up and realised what he did. She didn't know that when she woke up, she'd be meeting the Aliens of London.
~Line break~
A/N - So I am not a massive fan of the Unquiet dead, so that will be skipped, as I said at the end, the next chapter will be The Aliens of London. The little italicised 'upcoming' won't be happening forever, (you will eventually find out why it will stop. muhahahaha).
Anyway, thanks for reading everyone. I love every kudos and I read every comment.