The End is Near...

We may only be three months into 2017, but in 9 months time 'Resurrection' will be over.

It seems only yesterday that I was discussing the end of 'Darkpaths' and the birth of this new Doctor. But there will be time for contemplation and discussion of the future when the final chapter is posted many months from now. For now I'd like to talk about what is left.

After 'The Haunting of Mrs Webster' we head to an alternate universe. The TARDIS is is thrown off course and the Doctor and Holly land on the Moon where they investigate Lunar City Alpha. But also on the moon is another time traveller - Dr. Who, and his granddaughters Susan and Barbara and Barbara's husband, Ian Chesterton. There are threats from the depths of space and under the surface of the Moon. Not only that but the Time Kings of Gallifrey are calling for Dr. Who...




The penultimate story is called 'A Life Less Extraordinary". Realising that his daughter will never settle down to be the person he wants her to be, the Master decides to go for the problem at the source - not the Doctor, but Holly Dangerfield. His actions ripple through time and change lives in ways that will be difficult to put right again.

The finale to the series is called "The First Time Lord" and sees the Doctor dealing with the aftereffects of the Master's actions. I can't say much here, but UNIT:X is back, and the mystery of the casket contained in the siege-mode TARDIS comes to a head.

So I hope everyone continues to enjoy what is left. Please feel free to leave a comment or two!

Story 13: The Haunting of Mrs Webster

Dedicated to the memory of Auntie Jean - a lady who taught me how scary ghosts could be.

"The Doctor told me I should write down my thoughts on these events to help them make some sense, so here goes.


It was during the late 1980's when myself and Eve were living in that horrible, dingy little house on Peaksfield Avenue. Nothing about the house or the area seemed out of the ordinary, but it was just...I don't know...horrible. Dark and horrible, like there was something sat in the shadows all the time just watching us.


Anyway, you'll find out about that as you read on. I've collected my thoughts and feelings on the event at the time as a record really. As a reminder to myself that this really did happen. All I can say before you read it is that you should never, ever dismiss anything that's going on in your life. There's a pattern to it all.


I'm just glad myself and Eve had each other and I'll be eternally grateful for the Doctor and his friend, Holly.


So switch your lights on, grab yourself a cup of tea and don't dismiss that tapping on the wall."



This is the thirteenth in a series of adventures starring James McAvoy as the New Doctor and Felicity Jones as Holly Dangerfield. Although the story isn't true, the house is a real place and some of the occurrences are based on events that happened to a lady I used to know.

UNIT: X (Chapter 12)

Chapter 12 (The Settling Dust)

The sun was rising in the morning sky as Holly sat on a bench watching the bulldozers that had moved into the town to clear away the remains of the town hall. Faith had returned to the school along with Oliver and a hand-cuffed Taggart who looked completely and utterly broken. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Beth came and sat down beside Holly on the bench.

“Why didn’t you go back with the others?” asked Holly.

“Because you didn’t go back,” said Beth. “I thought you could have done with some company.”

“Thanks, Beth,” said Holly, smiling weakly. “It’s just so unfair, isn’t it?”

“You mean what happened to your friend, Richard?” asked Beth.

Holly nodded. “His family thought he was dead, but he wasn’t. And then when he decides to come back to put things right he gets killed anyway. I mean I didn’t really know him too well, but he was a good man. A family man.”

Beth smiled sadly at her. “I never met him, but he seemed like a good guy.” She shook her head. “And how are you feeling? I still feel bad for slapping you.”

Holly laughed. “Don’t be sorry. It was my own, stupid fault. I knew that wasn’t the real Lilly, I just couldn’t stop myself. I miss her a lot.”

“But you’ll get back to her, yeah?”

“Eventually, yes, but...well, I don’t know. I was happy when it was the Doctor, Lilly and I travelling in the TARDIS. I was willing to give up everything for her. I’m worried that we won’t be the same again.”

Beth smiled. “It sounds to me like you really do care for her.”

Holly nodded. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I’ve always been a bit of a loner I guess. I’ve had boyfriends, but never anything serious. And then Lilly just came along and changed how I feel about everything.”

Beth put her arm around her and gave her a comforting hug. “You need to follow your dreams, Holly. Life is too short for wasting it. If you want something you have to go for it.”

Holly nodded and smiled at Beth.

“Excuse me?” came a voice from behind them. “Hello?”

Beth and Holly turned around to see where the voice was coming from. Standing there, covered in ash and dirt and brick dust was Richard. He had a large cut on his forehead and looked disorientated, but he was alive.

“Richard!” said Holly, leaping up, vaulting over the back of the bench and giving him a hug. “We thought you were dead.”

“I don’t know what happened. I was trapped in some weird dimension and that thing was chasing me, but it was distracted and then...poof! There was a flash and I was crawling through rubble. I managed to pull myself through a door and climbed out from under the library.”

“The library?” said Beth.

Holly smiled. “During World War Two a lot of the bigger buildings in the town had linking corridors and tunnels built underneath the roads. It was somewhere for the councillors and the important people to go and meet up in case of a disaster.”

“Looks like you got out of that basement just in time,” said Beth, smiling.

“Did you see anyone else?” asked Holly, remembering the number of people that had gone missing in the town.

“No,” said Richard. “No, I’m sorry. There was nobody else.” He winced and put a hand to his cut. “Now, if you don’t mind, ladies, I’d like to get into a hot bath and finally – finally – see my family again.”



“Well,” said the Doctor, dipping a custard cream into his cup of tea, “it could have been handled better.”

“Well, unfortunately, Doctor,” said Stark, taking the packet of biscuits away from him, “we didn’t know we had a traitor in our midst.”

“My point exactly,” said the Doctor, finishing the biscuit. “You need to tighten up your operation.”

“Says the man who didn’t know he had a box containing the First Time Lord. The Time Lord Slayer!”

“Be fair. I wasn’t to know,” said the Doctor. “But, at least the situation was dealt with. Both of our situations, that is.”

“Yes,” said Stark, “Miss Taggart will be going away for a very long while.”

The Doctor looked sad. “Go easy on her, Roger. We all do things we shouldn’t. It’s a part of growing and learning. She will have to face the consequences, but she may learn from it.”

“Nobody else that went missing made it out alive from that creature, Doctor. She has those deaths on her hands. She will not see freedom for a very, very long time.”

The Doctor finished the last of his tea as Stark walked away. The school was already clearing out and people were beginning to return to the town. It would soon be time for Holly and him to depart, but first there was something else that had to be done.



Richard was standing outside his house. He’d had a shower, was clean shaven and was pacing up and down on the spot nervously. It had been a few hours since he’d crawled out of the rubble. The Doctor and Holly had filled him in on everything that had happened, but that wasn’t what he was interested in. All he wanted was to see them again. To see his family again.

“It’ll be fine, Richard,” said Holly, smiling at him.

“I just...I just don’t know what I’m gonna say.”

“It’ll come to you. Faith got in touch with them for you and broke the news. The hard part is over.”

“But that guy she was with. Toby. Toby Gilchrist.”

“Just friends,” said Holly. “Friends who both lost loved ones.”

Richard nervously blew out air and shook his head. “I’m so scared.”

“Richard,” said the Doctor, grabbing his head and looking into his eyes. “You will be fine.”

Richard smiled and then hugged the Doctor tightly. “I’m gonna miss you guys.” He broke away and hugged Holly. “As bad as it was being pretend-dead, I’m glad I got to spend it doing what I did. Flying lizard men and jungle creatures and spaceships buried under woodland. You’ve shown me some wonders, Doctor.”

“All part of the service,” smiled the Doctor.

The three of them turned their heads as a taxi pulled around the corner and turned into the street.

“Oh, God,” said Richard, fidgeting with the sleeves of his jumper.

“We’ll see you around, Richard,” said the Doctor, clapping him on his back.

But Richard wasn’t listening now. All he could focus on was the taxi as it came closer and closer. The Doctor took Holly’s hand and guided her away as she wiped away a tear, smiling at the reunion that was about to happen.

The taxi pulled up and the door opened. Cheryl Hicks stepped out and stared at Richard, her face a look of disbelief. Richard’s eyes welled up and he smiled as his two children clambered out of the taxi.

And then, without another word, Cheryl threw her arms around her long-lost husband, and they embraced and hugged for what seemed like an eternity. And then his children ran to him and hugged him around his waist. Richard picked up Mollie and kissed her on the top of her head.

He turned to look at the Doctor at the end of the street. “Thank you,” he said.

The Doctor smiled, gave a very slight salute and then turned the corner with Holly.

Richard continued to hold his wife for a long, long time. It was over. He had his life back, and he’d never let go of it again.



Claire Taggart was sat behind the glass screen in blue overalls. Either side of her were two armed guards. Faith was sat down at the table on the other side of the glass.

“Hi, Faith,” said Taggart, weakly.

“I came to say goodbye,” said Faith. “You won’t be seeing any of us again.”

“Faith, you have to understand why I did it,” said Taggart, tears in her eyes.

“I can understand why you would want to do it. What I can’t understand how you could do it. You betrayed all of us. You got over two dozen people killed. I can’t forgive you for that. We’re meant to be a team.”

“We were a team,” said Taggart, “but family comes first.”

“Yeah,” said Faith, getting up from the table. “I thought we were a family as well.”

“I’m sorry,” said Taggart as Faith walked out of the room. “I truly am.”



The Doctor and Holly were standing at the exit to the school car park. The rest of the UNIT vehicles had moved out already and all that was left was the core of the team.

“What next for you then, Mrs Crossland?” asked the Doctor, as she finished loading up the landrover.

“A bit of leave I think,” said Faith, hands in her pockets. “I fancy going back to Australia for a bit. See my daughter. Try and make things work.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” said Holly.

“And don’t forget – there’s a spot for you on the TARDIS.”

Faith smiled. “It’s a lovely offer, Doctor, but I’ve seen how much family means to people. I need to concentrate on that right now. My little girl, my family here. And my team.”

The Doctor nodded. “Can’t argue with that.”

The rest of the team emerged from the building and Holly said her goodbyes to each of them. “Thanks for everything, Beth,” she said to the young woman.

“It’s a pleasure, Holly,” said Beth. “Live for the moment.” She smiled and then had a thought and turned to Alistair. “Fancy going for a drink when we get back to HQ?”

“Um,” said Alistair, feeling flustered.

“Just say yes, Mr Benton,” smiled the Doctor.

“Yes,” said Alistair.

“Great,” said Beth. “Live for the moment.”

Osborne gave the Doctor and Holly a wave as they loaded up the last of the equipment. Then they watched as Faith clambered into the drivers since, blew the Doctor a kiss and then drove out of the car park.

“Off they go,” said the Doctor. “Off to save the world. It couldn’t be in safer hands.”

“Doctor,” said Holly, as they walked arm in arm away from the school. “I was wondering – could we go back and see Lilly.”

“So soon?” asked the Doctor, frowning.

“I really need to, Doctor.” She looked up at him. “I need her. More than I can even explain.”

The Doctor nodded. “Come on then, Dangerfield, let’s get your girl back.”



Later



“I beg your pardon?” asked Stark, as he supped from his whiskey glass.

“I want to look more into this Time Lord Slayer legend,” said Reikon, his arms folded. “Please.”

“But the siege mode TARDIS is with the Doctor.”

“The casket isn’t though,” said Reikon, raising his eyebrows.

“I beg your pardon?”

“When he was finalising his passkey and putting in security measures I had the casket removed. Relax. It’s in storage. It’s secure.”

“So he’s just carrying around an empty siege-mode TARDIS?”

Reikon nodded.

“He’ll go bananas at you.”

“He may well do, but I have to get some answers. I need to know more about it.”

Stark breathed out heavily and reclined in his chair. “Very well, Reikon. Purely for research sake I’ll give you the funding, but the moment anything goes wrong I pull the plug.”

“Agreed,” said Reikon, smiling and helping himself to a drink.

There was a knock on the door and a UNIT soldier entered with a dark-skinned man in a long, black coat.

“Can I help you, Private?”

“Sir, this gentleman says he was sent by the Doctor. Said there might be a job opportunity opening up?”

“We are a person down,” said Stark. “And the Doctor sent you?”

“Yeah,” he said. He had a deep London accent. “I went travelling for a bit and then thought I better get myself together. I used to travel with the Doc for a bit so I know about how the universe works.” He smiled nervously.

“Hmm,” said Stark, getting up from his seat. “And your name is?”

“Maxus. Quinn Maxus.”

“Well, it may be early days, Mr Maxus, but I think we may have a place for you. Welcome to UNIT:X”



The End

THE UNIT: X TEAM WILL RETURN IN "THE FIRST TIME LORD".

UNIT: X (Chapter 11)

Chapter 11 (All Fall Down)

Richard was running. He was aware that something – possibly the creature – was chasing him, but he wasn’t going to stop now. He could hear the growling coming from behind him, but he was worried that if he allowed the creature to catch him it would destroy him. That wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted to get out of this world. He wanted to get back to the real world.

“You cannot escape!” screamed the creature.

“And you can’t stop me!”

“Where do you think you’re going to go?”

“I have no idea really. I’m just hoping you have your mind on other things.”



Faith and the rest of the team were distracted when they realised that the Dream Catcher was no longer concentrating on the conversation between her and Taggart. It was instead looking down, but its blazing eyes were not looking at anything in particular. It looked as though it was thinking.

“What’s wrong with it?” asked Holly.

“Perhaps it’s going to sleep,” said Osborne, making sure he had a good grip of his rifle.

“No, that’s not it,” said Beth, stepping forward. “There’s something other than us causing it to concentrate. Its mind is on something else.”

Faith stepped away from Taggart and stood underneath the creature, its head hovering a few metres above her. She waved her arms about, but the creature didn’t even blink.

“We should kill it now,” said Osborne, stepping forward.

“No!” said Taggart. “You can’t.”

“You keep quiet, Claire,” said Faith, pointing back towards her.

The creature suddenly let out a frustrated yowl and threw its head back. Globules of black saliva, or what they assumed was saliva, dripped from underneath its chin and Faith stepped back quickly.

It thrashed about, looking like a fly caught in a spider’s web.

Faith stepped further away and looked at Osborne. “Cuff her,” she said, nodding to Taggart.

“You can’t do this, Faith. Please.”

“You betrayed us. You betrayed us all, Claire. You have to understand why I’m doing this.”

“And you have to understand why I did what I did.”

Faith stepped up to her again as Osborne took her wrists and fastened the cuffs. “I understand the pain of loss. I understand the complete, aching feeling at missing a person so much, but none of that would ever – ever – make me betrayed my team. No, sorry, I don’t mean team.” She straightened herself up. “None of that would ever make me betray my friends.”

The creature screamed again. Plaster fell from the ceiling.

“Is this place quite stable?” asked Holly.

“We should get out of here,” said Beth, looking up ominously at the ceiling.

“How do we deal with it though?” asked Faith.

The creature screamed again.

“You have to help me!” shouted Taggart to the creature.

The creature’s eyes suddenly stared straight ahead at Taggart. “I have already told you that the deal is off.” It screamed again. It was finding it hard to concentrate.

“What’s going on?” asked Holly. “Why are you screaming?”

“There is something within me trying to break out!” screamed the creature. “I cannot...I cannot concentrate.”

“You need to let me try again,” begged Taggart. “Please...”

“Shut up, Swift,” said Osborne.

Taggart saw her opportunity. She barged into Osborne and, with her hands cuffed, managed to grab the rifle from him. She lunged forward and aimed the weapon at the Dream Catcher.

“TAGGART!” yelled Faith.

“You said you’d help me!” shouted Taggart. “I want them back.”

“Pitiful creature,” hissed the monster, “do you really think I would have helped you?” It screamed again and threw its head back. “There was never...any....chance for...you...”

“Don’t lie. You were going to help me,” said Taggart, her hands trembling.

“I was never going to help you!”

Taggart’s face was red with anger. She screwed her face up, screamed and fired the rifle at the creature’s limbs. The ribbon of bullets cut through one of its arms and it dropped downwards a few metres, still suspended by one arm.

“Claire!” yelled Faith.

But it was no use. Taggart ran at the creature and continued to fire off a barrage of shots. Some of the bullets struck the plaster work on the ceiling causing more to sprinkle down. Some bullets ricocheted off the walls, but the main wave of them hit the creature square in the head. One hit its blazing right eye and it screamed in pain.

“We need to save those people!” yelled Faith, trying to stop her.

Taggart pushed Faith back and she fell to the floor. She continued to shoot over and over again.



Richard was aware that something wasn’t right. The creature was no longer chasing him, but the street was looking strange. It was glowing red and blurry. The buildings around him were slowly dissolving into nothing.

He turned his head to the right. His children, his wife and his sister, Ellie, were standing there looking sad.

“You could have been happy,” said Cheryl.

“I was happy. Happy with my real family,” said Richard sadly as the world around him dissolved.



The creature was now on the floor, writhing around in agony. Its head was smoking and its body looked like molten lava was threatening to burst from it.

Taggart continued to shoot at the creature as it howled in pain.

“Get her out of here,” said Faith.

Osborne, Beth and Holly managed to wrestle the gun from Taggart and drag her away.

“It’s gonna explode,” said Holly. “Get away from it Faith.”

“Release those people,” said Faith.

The creature lifted its head and narrowed its remaining glowing eye. “They will all die with me.”

Faith shook her head, closed her eyes and then turned to run.



The five of them managed to make it out of the town hall seconds before there was a huge explosion from underneath the building. What looked like a mini nuclear mushroom cloud rose into the air showering the street with masonry and rubble combined with bits of molten Dream Catcher.

The group were thrown to the floor and shielded their heads as the rubble rained down.

When all was still Holly lifted her head. All that was left was a huge pile of rubble where the town hall used to stand.

“I’m sorry, Richard,” she said, wiping away a tear.



The Doctor and Reikon watched on as the doors to the TARDIS threatened to burst open, but instead the light seemed to be subsiding. The Doctor crept forward and looked at the monitor. The light was indeed diminishing, the glowing casket slowly dimming until it finally went dark completely and the lid closed on top of it again.

“What happened?” asked Reikon, frowning.

“I don’t know,” said the Doctor, checking the readings. “Can you remember the legend of the Time Lord Slayer?”

“Well, like you said it is a legend, but I remember one of the books that I had as a child. It was called...let me think,” Reikon closed his eyes.

“The Slayers Last Stand,” said the Doctor.

“That’s the one,” said Reikon. “In the book the Slayer was finally captured. The Gallifreyan’s used the power of two time moons to trap it. It said that they managed to separate the regeneration energy from the body of the Slayer and send them both into the Void.”

The Doctor nodded. “The two of them were unable to survive without each other.”

“So, if the legend is true, then this is the regeneration energy. This is what Aldridge found between the dimensions.”

“If it’s true. And if it is true where’s the body – the physical Gallifreyan that was imbued with the regeneration energy?”

“Probably long gone. Long destroyed,” said Reikon, shrugging. “Without the energy the body would just be a weak, normal husk.”

The Doctor shook his head and sat down on a stool. “We were fools, Reikon.”

“But we both needed to know.” Reikon pointed to the TARDIS. “In reality that regeneration energy is pretty harmless on its own. We should be thankful the actual Slayer is long gone.”

“Hmmm,” said the Doctor. He took his own key out of his pocket and went to the TARDIS doors. “I’m putting the ship back into siege mode with the energy inside. But this time I’ll make sure I have a passkey to get myself in.”

“But it’s too dangerous. You have to destroy it.”

“I don’t think it can be destroyed. I think that’s why Aldridge kept it with him.” He sighed. “I think that’s why he gave it to me. So at least someone would be able to keep watch on it.”

Reikon nodded. “Bit of an anti-climax really.”



The Doctor smiled. “I don’t think this is over yet.”

To be concluded...

UNIT: X (Chapter 10)

Chapter 10 (Sweet Dreams are Made of This)

“Ah, glad you could make it,” said Reikon as the Doctor was shown into the lab by Bambera.

“Well, well, well, it’s been a while since I stepped foot into my old lab,” he said, removing his coat and throwing it over a stool.

“Doctor, Reikon,” said Bambera, “if you’ll excuse me I need to update command on the Huxley situation.”

“Thank you, Winifred,” said the Doctor, smiling as she left.

“Lovely woman,” said Reikon. He held out his hand. “Good to see you again, brother. I’ve been enjoying these little meet ups.”

“You could have found a more appropriate moment,” said the Doctor, peering down at the box on the table.

“I’m sorry I dragged you away from the Dream Catcher, but I think I’m getting closer to cracking this thing.” He frowned. “Have you heard anything from Gallifrey?”

The Doctor shook his head sadly. “I’m sure Celestia is safe and well.”

Reikon nodded. “So, this box. You say that your alternate self, Aldridge, just handed it to you?”

“That’s right,” said the Doctor. “He said that something inside it is important.”

“But nothing more than that?”

“Let’s cut him some slack – he was on a world that was about to be burned. He didn’t have much time to tell me anything.”

“Okay,” said Reikon, turning to face the Doctor. “I think I have an idea about what we can do to take a peek inside. The box is, essentially, linked to your alternate self who is, in essence, just a different version of you.”

“Okay, following so far,” said the Doctor, sitting himself down on a stool opposite Reikon.

“Time Lords have psychic links to their TARDISes,” said Reikon. “So, in some ways, you may well have a link to this one.”

“No,” said the Doctor, smiling and shaking his head. “This isn’t my TARDIS.”

“I know, but...well, just run with this for a moment,” said Reikon. “Although this isn’t technically your TARDIS, it is still linked to someone who is an offshoot of you.”

“I still can’t make a psychic connection with it,” said the Doctor.

“But how do you know?” asked Reikon, smiling at an idea. “Have you tried?”

“I think I’d have felt something,” said the Doctor.

“Maybe you just need a push,” suggested Reikon.

The Doctor folded his arms and stared at the little box, still and silent. “I don’t know. I’m starting to wonder if it’d be better to leave it locked away.”

“Come on, brother, where’s your sense of spirit?”

“I just have a bad feeling about this.”

“Are you at least willing to give it a try?” said Reikon, hopefully.

“I suppose a try is acceptable,” sighed the Doctor. “My synapses have already been opened today so I shouldn’t have too much trouble.”

“Excellent,” smiled Reikon. “Now, just place your hand on the box.”

The Doctor did as instructed. It felt warm though. When he had touched it last time it was cold and dead. Now it felt like something was glowing inside it. It felt ever so slightly alive.

“I’m going to reach into your mind,” said Reikon, “and in turn you try and reach into the box. See what you can see.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” said the Doctor wearily.



Faith approached Taggart and looked from her to the creature and back again. She lowered her gun ever so slightly and frowned at her teammate. “Claire, can you be a little bit clearer on what is happening here?”

“Well, it’s just like I said, Faith- ”

“Are you betraying us?” asked Faith, calmly.

“No, it’s not like that.”

“ARE YOU BETRAYING US?!” shouted Faith, her voice echoing around the basement.

“Do not blame your friend,” said the creature from behind Taggart. “I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.”

“It said it’d give me my family back. It said I’d see them again.”

“Fake versions in a fake world, Faith,” said Beth sadly.

“She’s right,” said Holly. “You heard what the Doctor told us earlier. None of it is real.”

“It’s as real as I want it to be,” said Taggart. “I know they’re gone, but-”

“But nothing,” said Faith as she moved closer to Taggart. “We’re a team. We’re friends. We don’t betray each other.”

“You have to understand...”

“Understand what?” asked Faith. “Do you not think that we all want a perfect life? That I want my daughter back? That Holly wants to be with Lilly right now?”

Holly looked down at the floor. Beth rubbed her arm affectionately.

“That’s different. They’re still alive.”

“I know it’s hard,” said Faith, trying to hold back, “but it’s a part of life. It’s a part of trying to survive. Not everyone makes it through.”

“They murdered my entire family!” said Taggart.

“And you know how much we’re sorry for that. How many hours did we sit up drinking coffee talking about how cruel the world was?” said Faith. She had become softer.

“Then you should know how much I wanted to fix this.”

“Not by betraying us. Not by causing this much grief and despair to an entire town!”

“All this is academic anyway,” came the creature’s voice. “The deal is off. You were supposed to bring me the Doctor in exchange for your new world.”

“I can still get him,” said Taggart, turning to the Dream Catcher pleadingly.

“Oh, no,” said Faith, raising her gun. “Not a chance. This is where this stupid idea ends, Claire.”



The Doctor and Reikon both had their eyes closed. The Doctor’s left palm was face down on top of the box and Reikon had his right hand on the Doctor’s right shoulder. The two of them remained standing still, concentrating.

There was a spark from the box and the Doctor’s eyes opened. “There’s something. There’s something trying to push its way through.”

“Wait a moment,” said Reikon, reaching over to a monitor. A cable ran from the monitor to the box and a second cable ran from the monitor to the Doctor’s temples. “Maybe we can get a look. Keep concentrating.”

The Doctor closed his eyes again. “It’s hard to make out,” he said, as static appeared on the screen. “I think I can see something.”

The static began to clear to show a grainy, black and white image of a TARDIS console room. Sitting beside the console was a large, tubular container which looked worryingly like a futuristic coffin.

“Are you seeing that?” asked the Doctor.

“Yes,” said Reikon, peering closer at the monitor, but remaining connected to the Doctor.

There was a flicker on the screen and beside the console a holographic image of the Doctor’s alternate self – Aldridge – appeared.

“You’ve activated some kind of internal message,” said Reikon. “The TARDIS is reacting to you.” He smiled wildly at the screen.

“This is a message for whoever has broken into my TARDIS,” came the old, gravelly voice of Aldridge. “We are in the middle of a warzone. The Kro’Tenk are attempting to enslave this world and I have done the only thing I can do to keep this thing locked away – I’ve put my TARDIS into siege mode. If you are hearing this message then you have been stupid enough to break inside.”

The Doctor opened his eyes and looked at Reikon. Reikon looked nervously back at him. “Well we’ve already come this far.”

The Doctor closed his eyes again and Reikon looked at the screen.

Aldridge continued. “During my travels I’ve encountered a great many things, but I know, from my own races past, that this thing,” he indicated the coffin, “is one of the most dangerous of them all. I first discovered it when I was passing through the dimensions. My TARDIS had become trapped outside of space and time when Lethbridge-Stewart and I discovered a signal coming from deep in the nothingness. On further investigation we discovered this item. We took it on board and brought it back into our universe. Before the war against the Kro’Tenk I managed to get some assistance from a science institute on Earth. I was unable to open the container and my curiosity had gotten the better of me. I was assisted by my friend, Mary, daughter of the CEO of the Aldridge Institute. I spent five years there before the Kro’Tenk arrived, but before the creatures came we managed to momentarily open the casket.” The Aldridge hologram looked sad. “The power unleashed killed Mary and a dozen other scientists at the lab. We had no choice but to lock it away again. But not before we discovered exactly what it was.” The console began to beep, a flashing light indicating something was transmitting. “I’m transmitting the data readings to any device you may have that is monitoring the inside of this craft.”

Reikon checked as a computer he had set up beside the monitor began to receive the info via the cable.

“This will enable you to study the container without fear of opening it.” Aldridge straightened himself up. “You may wonder what it is. Perhaps curiosity is not such a good thing, but as you’re listening to this I have to assume that you want answers.” He breathed a heavy sigh. “In the legends of our people there...” The image flickered.

“No,” said Reikon, banging on the monitor. “Not when we’re so close.”

“Calm down, Reikon,” said the Doctor.

Reikon leant forward and touched the box. There was a hum of electricity, a collection of blue sparks, and without warning the Doctor and Reikon were thrown back across the room, sending the stools, paperwork and other scientific equipment flying.

On the monitor the holographic image of Aldridge was still flickering and glitching, but he was still speaking. Next to him the casket was starting to open, a bright glowing light coming from the inside of it.

“What’s he saying?” shouted the Doctor as the siege-mode TARDIS began to increase in size.

Reikon got to his feet and staggered towards the table. He turned the volume up.

The holographic Aldridge looked worried. “Do not open the container...what is inside...terrible consequences....The First Time Lord...The Time Lord Slayer...”

“Oh, no,” said the Doctor.

“But it’s just a myth. A legend,” said Reikon in disbelief.

There was an explosion of light and the siege-mode TARDIS returned to its normal size and slowly took on the appearance of a police box. The doors shook with the force from inside and the light shone through the windows.

“I warned you!” shouted the Doctor as the room shook, two glasses of water falling to the floor and smashing.

“We had to find out!” yelled Reikon over the din.

“If a box is sealed up for a reason with no way in and a warning from beyond the grave, then you don’t open it up!” said the Doctor, staring into his eyes.

The light on the other side of the door was growing bright now; the locked door struggling to stay closed. Whatever was on the other side was threatening to burst out.

“I had to know,” said Reikon. He looked at the Doctor again, his eyes shadowed. “I had to know.”

To be continued...

UNIT:X (Chapter 9)

Chapter 9 (Inside Job)

Taggart approached the front of the town hall. She was breathing rapidly, but so far nothing had happened to her. No visions, no family members. Nothing. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She didn’t know whether to be scared or relieved. All she knew is that she had to get inside and deal with the situation.

But how was she going to do it? She had lost her bargaining chip...



“You left me, Dangerfield,” said the giant form of Lilly as it loomed over Holly.

“Ignore it, Holly,” said Beth as she grabbed her hand.

“Oh, look at you,” said Lilly, looking down at the two women holding hands. “I’ve only been gone a little while and already you’re holding hands with other girls!” she raised her voice.

“I’m not,” said Holly, letting go of Beth.

“Ignore her, Dangerfield,” barked Faith. “It’s just a hallucination. If you listen to her then she’ll take you. The Dream Catcher will take you!”

“Oh, another girl!” said the giant Lilly. “You just don’t know when to stop, do you? All your life running after boys. Boys, boys, boys. And now look at you. You weren’t content to just try one piece of cake – you had to have the WHOLE CAKE!”

“SHUT UP!” said Holly, turning to face her.

“Lilly, no!” said Beth, jumping in front of her and slapping her across the face.

“Jesus H. Bloody Christ, you two,” said Osborne, wincing as if something was trying to push its way inside his own head. “Just concentrate on what’s ahead. You know she’s not bloody real.”

“Osborne is right,” said Faith. “The rest of us are trained for this. Holly you need to go back.”

Holly looked up, tears in her eyes as the giant Lilly faded away. “No. No I’m okay. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine though,” said Faith.

“I can do this. I have to help Richard. I have to save him.”

“Okay, but any more outbursts and you go straight back.”

Holly nodded.

Beth looked apologetically at Holly. “I’m sorry for slapping you.”

“It’s alright,” said Holly. “Just...just take my mind off it.”

“How?” said Beth. “It’s not like I can tell you about my life. I’m already trying to stop thinking about Alistair...”

Holly raised her eyebrows at her.

“Stop thinking!” said Beth to herself. “Concentrate on the road ahead.”

“Sing,” said Faith from ahead, as they crossed the level crossing and turned into a side street.

“I ain’t singing,” said Osborne.

“Sing. All of you sing.”

“I can’t sing,” said Holly.

“It’ll take your mind of everything. Sing. Now!”

“What?” asked Holly.

“Anything. Just sing...anything!”

Holly straightened up, her eyes wide with fear and then she began singing. “When you walk through a storm hold your head up high...”

“...and don’t be afraid of the dark...” continued Beth.

“...at the end of the storm there’s a golden sky...” added Faith

“...and the sweet silver song of a lark,” continued Osborne. “I’m a Spurs fan meself.”

“Oliver!” scolded Faith.

And they all sang together.

“Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain. Though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on with hope in your hearts. And you'll never walk alone. You'll never walk alone”



“Human beings,” said Stark, shaking his head as he listened to the singing through the intercom. “And what did Midnight mean about not thinking about you, Obsidian?”

“I don’t know, sir,” said Benton, a little smile playing across his lips. “I have no idea.”

“Where’s Swift now?” asked Stark.

Benton shook his head and returned to his monitor, which showed a red blip on digital map of the town. “She’s, erm, she’s at the town hall and is descending into the basement now.”

“She’s a fool,” said Stark.

“The others aren’t too far behind, sir,” said Benton. “It’ll be fine. They’ll stop her before she does something stupid.”



Richard rubbed his eyes as he looked out of the living room window, the golden sunlight casting the room in a yellow hue.

“Everything okay, love?” asked Cheryl, walking into the room with two glasses of lemonade.

“Just...thinking.”

“You don’t need to think, sweetheart,” said Cheryl. “Just enjoy life.”

“You know, don’t you? You know that this isn’t real?” He took a glass of lemonade and went to sit down. “You know.”

“What are you talking about, Richard. Not real?” She laughed at the thought. “Why are you so bothered?”

“You’re the creature, aren’t you?”

“I’m your wife,” said Cheryl, “just simple, plain, Cheryl.”

“But you’re not. You’re just being used as a mouthpiece for the creature. You’re not really her. This isn’t real. None of it is.”

“But it can be. It will be,” she said, sipping on the lemonade and licking her lips playfully. “And you can’t escape it. Why not just enjoy it?”

“Same reason I don’t like powdered milk. It’s not really milk.”

Cheryl’s eyes narrowed and she got up from her chair. “If you think you can escape you are stupider than I gave you credit for. You are weak. There is no escape from me. I have come up against stronger creatures than you.”

“But I’d wager you’ve never taken someone who’s travelled with the Doctor before.” Richard smiled.

Cheryl sneered at him. “Very well then,” she said, closing her eyes. “Let’s see how you like a change in scenery.”

In one instant the entire front room was on fire, smoke billowing through the room and the screams of Richard’s children from upstairs. Cheryl was now scarred and badly burnt, but she continued to smile at him.

“You can’t fool me,” said Richard, walking towards the door. “This is not my world!”



Taggart had attempted to use the lift before realising that power was still down in the town. She searched around and found a locked doorway to a stairwell that led down to the basement. She gave the door a good kick and after about four goes it swung open, the lock broken and the wood splintered.

She looked around her to make sure she hadn’t been followed by the others, made sure the safety was off her gun and then switched on her torch. She made her way through the doorway and down the stairs each step echoing louder and louder.

Eventually she reached the basement. It was cold down here. Colder than outside and she could see her breath in the air. And there was the smell of eggs as well. She wrinkled her nose at the stench and held her gun tighter as she turned the corner.

She had seen it before, but she still had to stifle a gasp as her torch light shone on the creature. It was like some huge, black spider. It stretched across the entire height and width of the basement. Four spindly legs held it up to each corner where the ceiling met the walls and where the floor met the walls. In the centre, dripping with black ooze was its triangular-shaped head, its red eyes blazing.

As the torch light hit the creature in the face its eyes seemed to blaze brighter.

“You have returned,” it said, its voice low and gravelly.

“I have,” said Taggart, her voice barely audible over the creature’s heavy, low breathing.

“And yet he is not here.”

“He’s left,” said Taggart, her eyes transfixed on the creature. “I couldn’t stop him.”

“You knew the deal, Human,” hissed the creature.

“I know. But...I can try again.”

“If he has left-”

“Please. I can try again.”

“It is too late, Human.”

“But you promised me. You promised me.”

The creature seemed to become agitated at Taggart’s pleas and flexed its vinyl-like limbs. “Cease your prattling. I have enough to contend with. The deal is off. Unless you have the Doctor-”

“I...don’t.”

“Then you do not see your family again.”

“Claire?” came a voice from the darkened area near the doorway.

Standing there was Faith, Beth, Osborne and Holly. Faith looked confused, Osborne looked angry and Beth looked upset. Holly swallowed knowingly.

“Sentinel...” said Taggart, her voice threatening to break at any moment.

“What does it mean?” asked Faith.

“Faith, you have to understand- ”

“WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?” shouted Faith.

Taggart looked from Faith to Beth and then to Osborne. She straightened herself up. “It wants the Doctor. When it came here it knew the Doctor had been here. It said it wanted a Time Lord mind to feed on.”

“And in return for your bringing the Doctor to it?” asked Beth.

“I’d get my family back. It’d make a world for me to live in and I’d be happy again.”

To be continued...