an unearthly man page 4

The TARDIS materialized inside the Stormcage Containment Facility once again. Eleven stepped out and made his way to River's cell. This time, he found her gazing out of the window.

‘Were you waiting for me?’ he asked.

‘Not exactly,’ she replied. ‘I was just thinking about our wedding ceremony. About how you, pretended to whisper your name in my ear. That's your greatest secret isn't it? Something you wouldn't tell anyone. Not even me.’

Eleven looked back at the TARDIS. ‘Well, actually…’ he said.

‘What?’ River became intrigued.

‘I'll be back in just a second.’ Eleven returned to the TARDIS. ‘I need your sonic screwdriver,’ he said to Ten.

‘What for?’ Ten asked.

‘To get River out of her cell.’

‘She's in prison? What was her crime?’

‘You'll find out. Just give me the screwdriver. Please.’ Ten reluctantly handed it over. ‘Thank you.’ Eleven returned to the cell and used the screwdriver to open the door. ‘Come on,’ he said to River. ‘There are some people I want you to meet.’ They entered the TARDIS and River's eyes widened.

‘Well,’ she said, ‘This is a certainly a larger entourage than you normally travel with.’

‘It's a very special occasion,’ Eleven said. ‘Allow me to introduce two of my other incarnations.’

‘I always knew this day would come!’ River said excitedly. ‘When I was at university, I researched all of the Doctors.’ She pointed at Ten. ‘You're the one whose hand was cut off shortly after regenerating.’

‘Yeah, but it found its way back to him, thanks to me!’ Jack said. He shook River's hand. ‘Captain Jack Harkness! Congratulations on your marriage to the Doctor. He's quite a catch, if I do say so myself.’  River smiled politely and nodded but quickly moved on from Jack.

‘And you're the one who-‘ she started to say to Eight but he interrupted her.

'Please, madam, I don't think my exploits are relevant to the current situation,’ he said firmly. River looked shocked so Eleven continued his introductions.

‘Madame Vastra and Jenny. Useful to have around in a crisis.’

‘Haven't we already-‘ Vastra asked but Eleven waved a hand at her.

‘And finally, my granddaughter Susan.’

‘Hello,’ Susan said flatly.

‘My research uncovered rumors of a granddaughter but I didn't know they were true until now,’ River said. She turned to Eleven. ‘Only, I thought you were meant to be the last of your kind.’

‘So did I,’ he replied. ‘That's why we're taking Susan to a planet called Trenzalore where she'll be safe. I wanted you to meet her before we parted ways.’ Eleven shoved levers and pushed buttons; the TARDIS took off. Susan took this opportunity to take River aside.

‘So what exactly is the nature of your relationship to my grandfather?’ she asked pointedly.

‘Well,’ River said. ‘It's complicated. I tend to think of myself as his most trusted confidant.’

‘That was my role once. I suspect he's had plenty of others besides you and me.’

‘Yes but he doesn't always come back for them. Most of the time, he just moves on to the next one. Otherwise, he gets lonely.’

‘Well then, I guess I'm glad he has you. Just don't think you're replacing my grandmother. She was very important to him.’

‘Really? Tell me about her.’

‘We're here!’ Eleven called. ‘It's time to get going! Susan! River!’ They emerged from the TARDIS onto a seemingly endless field of grass. It was a windy day with no signs of life as far as the eye could see.

‘What do we do now?’ Susan asked.

‘I call for help,’ Eight replied. He reached into his satchel and took out a recorder. ‘I arranged with the natives that they would pick you up in one of their airships. All I have to do is play a tune on my trusty recorder and the wind will carry the sound all the way to the nearest town. That's how they'll figure out our location.’ He played a few notes. ‘And now we wait.’

‘You know,’ Jack said, ‘This place reminds me of a planet I visited once where you had to walk for miles and miles before you could find any hint of civilization. Eventually, I came across this old hermit. He was very nice to me. I even wound up in bed with him.’ Everyone stared at Jack in stunned silence. Even he seemed surprised at his candor. ‘Sorry, I don't usually talk like that when there are ladies present.’

‘As well you shouldn't,’ Vastra hissed. ‘If you lived in my time, you'd be ostracized from high society for talking like that.’

‘I actually did once live in your time,’ Jack shot back. ‘And let me tell you, I bedded more people in Victorian Britain than you could possibly-‘ Ten slapped his hand over Jack's mouth.

‘You're babbling more than usual, Jack,’ he said. ‘What's gotten into you?’

‘Maybe he's had too much wine,’ Jenny said. She turned to Vastra. ‘Just like I did the night I was supposed to cook goose and I lied and told you I had a migraine so you had to go out hunting instead.’ Jenny covered her mouth in shock as Vastra rounded on her.

‘Say that again,’ she said menacingly, drawing her sword as she did so.

I think I know what's happening,’ Eleven said. ‘This is Trenzalore where, according to the prophecy, no living creature can speak falsely or fail to answer. Something's preventing us from hiding our, er, true colors.’

‘It's probably something microscopic that travels via the wind,’ Eight said. ‘The natives told me it doesn't bother them all that much. This is one of the more peaceful planets in the universe, after all.’ 

‘I think I'm going to like living here,’ Susan said. ‘A place where there can be no secrets. Not even yours, grandfather.’ 

‘What do you mean?’ Eleven asked. 

‘I mean even you would not be able to conceal your deepest, darkest secret. The one thing you keep hidden from everyone. Your true name.’ 

River stepped forward. ‘Sweetie,’ she said. ‘If we're going to be married, at least in spirit, I think I'm entitled to know your real name.’ Both Eight and Ten looked as if they were ready to strangle her but Eleven stood firm. ‘So, what is your name?’ Eleven held her hands and looked at Susan who nodded. He turned back to River and whispered into her ear. Suddenly, the wind that had been howling ever since their arrival died down. Everything was still. There was not a sound to be heard. 

‘What happened?’ Vastra asked. 

‘I think it's a sign,’ Eleven said. ‘Silence has fallen.’ He smiled, as did River. 

‘So that's what you've been holding back all this time?’ she asked. ‘But why? It's such a nice name.’ 

‘I don't mean to interrupt but I think it's time to say goodbye,’ Eight said. He pointed towards an airship that was landing near the TARDIS. 

‘I'll miss you, grandfather,’ Susan said, hugging each of the Doctors in turn. ‘But will I ever see you again?’ 

‘That's impossible to say,’ Eleven replied. ‘Besides, you never know which one of me might turn up.’ Everyone laughed at that. Susan took her place on the airship and waved goodbye. The others waved back at her as the ship took off, flew away and eventually disappeared into the sky. 

‘Doctor?’ Jenny asked suddenly. ‘What is that thing coming towards us?’ She pointed to a metallic object that was hurtling through the atmosphere. All three Doctors recognized it immediately. 

‘It's a Dalek!’ they cried simultaneously. Everyone looked terrified but Eleven acted quickly. He tossed the sonic screwdriver to Ten. 

‘I think it's time to get Jack's vortex manipulator working again,’ he said. ‘This is definitely an emergency!’ Ten grabbed Jack's arm and promptly fixed the wristband. ‘Jack,’ Eleven continued, ‘I'm counting on you to get everyone back where they belong.’ Jack nodded.
 
‘What about you?’ River said tearfully. 

‘I'm sorry, River,’ Eleven said, choking up a bit. ‘I don't have a choice. This is it.’ River reluctantly joined hands with the others as Jack input the coordinates that would take them to safety. A moment later they vanished. By this time, the Dalek had landed and was making its way towards the Doctor. 

‘DOC-TOR!’ it said, its eyestalk pointing directly at its target. ‘THE PRESCENCE OF A TIME LORD WAS DETECTED ON THIS PLANET. IMPOSSIBLE! IMPOSSIBLE! WE EXTERMINATED EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!’ 

‘Of course,’ the Doctor said knowingly. ‘In this version of reality, you won the war because I wasn't there to stop you. But that'll change just as soon as my eighth self is returned to his proper time stream. You will be defeated. I know because I've already done it. So whatever happens now won't really matter in the long run.’ 

‘SILENCE!’ the Dalek screamed. ‘MY ORDERS ARE TO EXTERMINATE YOU! THERE IS NO ESCAPE, DOC-TOR!’ 

‘Yes. But that doesn't mean this is the end-‘ 

‘EXTERMINATE!’ The blast of energy hit the Doctor straight on. He fell onto the grass and lay still. The Dalek flew off, confident that its orders had been carried out. But the Doctor's eyes opened gradually and he managed to steady himself enough so that he could crawl his way back to the TARDIS. He pushed the doors open, closed them again and crawled to the console. He pressed the necessary buttons and the TARDIS was in flight once more. Using the railing as a crutch, he stood up and gazed upon the control room through his eleventh pair of eyes one last time. He wondered with amusement what his companion would make of his new appearance. That, at least, gave him something to look forward to.
 
‘I'm ready to go now,’ he said softly and regenerated into Twelve. 

written by 
THOMAS AHEARN 
copyright 2012

artwork by 
COLIN JOHN 
copyright 2013
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