River of the Universe

Chapter One

Time itself was never a straight line, to the Doctor it had always seemed more like a river.

A river that was quiet and serene on the surface, but swirled and shifted underneath;one just had to know how to swim.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Doctor, you’d better get in here, quick!”the voice had an air of urgency to it.

With a sigh he stepped back into the TARDIS, he was greeted by flashing lights and noisy alarms, all vying for his attention.

***************

Martha was holding her hands over her ears and gave him a ‘what the hell’ look as he dashed around the console.

He stopped when a set of readings flashed up on the screen, he stared at them in disbelief, could anyone be that stupid or that arrogant as to mess with such power.

The readings flashed once as if to confirm what he saw.

Someone had been that stupid and that arrogant; no wonder the TARDIS had reacted as she had.

He raced around the console and gradually silence reigned as the lights and alarms faded.

“I know, I know, it shouldn’t, but it is, yes I agree, just do it!”

The familiar sound of an ancient engine pulsed into life.

*************

Martha cautiously removed her hands and sighed when all she could hear was the TARDIS engine.

“What happened, did something break?”

“Unfortunately it’s far worse than that.It looks like someone’s messing with power they know nothing about,again.”

The tone in the Doctor’s voice was acidic.

“As in could destroy the whole universe or just a planet sort of power?” Martha prompted.

The Doctor threw out his arms.“ Oh far worse, we’re talking time,space and all the different dimensions kind of power and guess what,it’s humans again.Did they learn nothing from the last time? Nah,they just go blundering in and try something else.”

Martha sighed, there was no point arguing, she could see by his expression what kind of a mood he was in and remained silent.

She had travelled with him for some time, but for all the adventure she could still not fathom the man and his changing moods.

The TARDIS appeared and tumbled for a few seconds before fading without its normal ease back into the Vortex leaving behind a small trail of energy that was leaking from within.

**********************

The TARDIS landed with a wheeze that sounded like a last gasp and actually seemed to shudder as it settled.

The Doctor stepped out into a frosty night,a look of concern marring his boyish face. He patted the TARDIS gently.

“Don’t worry old girl.I know it hurts,be patient,” he murmured.

Without waiting for Martha he strode across the field in which they had landed, sonic screwdriver held out in front of him.

Martha ran after him and cannoned into him as he stopped abruptly, turned in a circle and headed in another direction.

After a few paces he stopped again and switched of the screwdriver.

“This is going nowhere, the signals too weak, this must be as near as the TARDIS can get. C’mon Martha,we need to find some transport and get nearer. Fancy a stroll in the fresh night air?”

With that he strode purposefully towards the gate and headed for the distant lights that lit the night sky.

***************

Martha walked alongside, she had seen the look on his face when he had realised that the TARDIS was in pain;a dark, no messing look.

“Why can’t we use the TARDIS, it would be quicker?”

“Remember that universe destroying power, it’s also TARDIS destroying power, it’s making her sick. I’ve shut down all but her basic functions so the pain shouldn’t be any worse, that’s why we can’t use her, I need to find the source and shut it down.”

As they approached the town the Doctor took another reading. “That’s more like it, the signal is south-west of here, where are we exactly?”

“The sign back there said Lincoln, there should be a train or a bus station we can use.”

“In that case, if this is Lincoln, then the signal originates somewhere on Salisbury Plain. Train or bus, train or bus?” he mused for a few seconds.

“Trains, I love trains, last time I was on a train the steam did wonders for my skin.”

Martha smiled “I don’t think it will be a steam train, more like electric, but we won’t be going anywhere without money.”

The Doctor sighed. “Electric, how unromantic, you need a steam train when there’s a mystery to be solved.”

Martha sighed. “Doctor, I said we need to get some money, to buy tickets, I need you to do your little money trick again.”

The Doctor smiled at her, a devious smile. “Martha Jones, you’re leading me astray. Anyone would think I made a habit if it.”

********************

Lights flashed yellow as the assistant powered down the device, the low hum that accompanied it began to fade.

A group of white coated scientists were gathered around a bank of computers, all studying the readings before them.

“Amazing, that’s up fifteen percent, well done everybody, one more try and we’ll call it a day.”

The group turned and went to sit at the various stations, the low hum began to fill the room and the yellow lights began to flash.

The woman who had spoken shivered as she felt the power raise the hairs on the back of her neck.

She smiled to herself, this power was incredible, a power that could be the answer to the worlds’ energy problem.

The light and the hum faded again and the woman in charge nodded to herself as she read the printout.

She sent the others home and was about to head out of the door when the phone rang.

She hesitated for a second before returning to her office and answering it.

“Professor, I’ve caught you just in time, how are things going with our project?”

“Couldn’t be better, we’ve increased power output by twenty percent. This energy stream is far more powerful than we thought.”

“Excellent, keep up the good work, I look forward to your next report.”

The woman sighed as she was cut off. It hadn’t been her idea to bring this particular person on board, but as she was told they needed the money he was throwing at them.

When she had asked where they had found this power source the answer was distinctly cagey.

From that moment she had decided to keep her own set of notes, secretly recording and writing her opinions down.

She took a small walk around the lab before turning out the lights and leaving for the night.

She didn’t notice the small glimmer coming from the testing chamber.

*******************

As the train pulled into the station the Doctor stood up, stretched and shook Martha gently.

She opened a sleepy eye.

“Rise and shine sleepy head, I think this is our station,” he smiled at her and held the door for her as they stepped onto the platform.

He took the sonic from his pocket and held it in front of him, the reading was strong and with a quick follow me glance at Martha they left the station.

It seemed like an age before a town came into view.

The sign declared it as Marlborough, Martha knew there was a decent tea shop in the centre and had to almost manhandle the Doctor into stopping for some breakfast.

She frowned as the Doctor only picked at the breakfast, even drank his tea half heartedly.

Now she knew that there was something not right.

“Alright Doctor, time to fess up, there’s something your not telling?”

He tried to interrupt but she waved it way.

“You’re picking at your food, you’ve hardly touched your tea. Either you tell me or we don’t move another inch.”

With a resigned sigh the Doctor replied. “I’m worried about this power surge, it’s not getting any weaker, in fact it’s getting stronger. If this carries on even I won’t be able to stop it.”

“That’s understandable, but it won’t help matters if you’re not on top form. So doctor’s orders, eat your breakfast, have you tea and then we can worry about the end of all we know.”

The Doctor forced a smile and pretended to attack his breakfast and realised that Martha had been right.

This was the best tea shop in the county and genuinely attacked his breakfast and actually asked for another pot of their wonderful breakfast tea.

He hoped that he had hid the fact that he was starting to feel unwell and he could feel it tugging at the edges of his consciousness.

He didn't know how long it would be before it would start to show physically, but he knew that it couldn't let that happen and he had to stop it before then.

He looked up as Martha came back from paying the bill and returned the smile she gave him before standing up and leaving the tearoom.

A wave of nausea hit him and he swayed slightly.

"Are you all right?" Martha said as she quickly put out a hand to steady him, her face creased in concern.

"I'm fine, bit of a sugar rush, too much in my tea," he lied and mentally forced his body to ignore the sick feeling deep in the pit of his stomach.

He shrugged on his coat and opened the door for Martha and they stepped outside.

“Right,” he said as they stood in the market square. “We’re still a long way from the power source. We need to get a lot closer before I can pinpoint the exact location.”

“Well lucky for you I asked the lady at the counter, you can catch a coach from here to Devizes and then she said we may have to walk the rest of the way. I brought a map that may help us, the coach leaves in a couple of hours.”

“Brilliant, so we can do a spot of sight seeing till then, I remember when this was nothing but trees and grass. Mind you, being chased by a tribe of angry Celts wasn’t my idea of tourism. I don’t think they were too happy when I told them the Romans were coming.”