Chapter Three - Spiridon Revisited
Chapter Three - Spiridon Revisited
Locked away in one of the rooms adjacent to the control room Louise Ruth tried listening to Jo Grant’s recording. The voice of the TARDIS swirled around in her head making any coherent thought almost impossible. Sleep too came in fits and starts and she would wake covered in sweat, her sheets soaked. Exhaustion finally claimed her as her body and mind slipped away from reality into a dreamless world of relaxation and much needed sleep.
Waking with a start she immediately felt the lack of vibration from the floor. Dressing she realised with a start that the voices too had stopped. Not only could she think clearly but with a clarity that surprised even her. Leaving the room at a run she was confronted by Jack and Johnson who both stood gazing down at the centre consol. The time rotor had stopped moving and everything was still.
‘It seems we have arrived… good or bad,’ Jack said, the only one that looked as if he’d had a good night’s sleep. Louise Ruth wasn’t surprised when she found out later that he had been the only one that hadn’t searched out a room to sleep in. The Thals had been locked away and Evans and the two remaining UNIT soldiers had taken turns guarding them.
‘Nice to see you back among the living,’ Johnson said as she checked Louise Ruth’s condition and was surprised to see her smile. ‘So… what can we expect to find outside?’ she asked as Louise Ruth held up Jo’s recording and activated the play button.
‘My hand... my hand and my arm are infected by... by something I can't describe, spreading rapidly, my hand is... already quite numb...’
‘Well… that’s what … self pleasure does… does for you.’ All turned to look at Evans as he entered the control room yawning and stretching, closely followed by Ianto and Alonso. Ianto was buttoning his jacket and Alonso was fastening his belt as Jack turned to face them. Immediately Ianto went on the defensive as his gaze moved from Jack to Alonso. Finally he watched Jack’s accusing stare, which seemed to say everything.
‘We were sleeping… we just slept… no other rooms with beds.’
‘You shared a bed… with Alonso?’ Jack looked aghast.
‘Yes… no… well not shared… we just used the same mattress… at the same … time.’
Louise Ruth looked at Jack with a smile that said it all, ‘I think my lady protests too much.’ The Shakespearian quotation was lost on Alonso but Jack understood and took the opportunity to turn his back on Ianto. She shook her head tutted as she returned the recorder back to her shoulder bag.
‘But why were you late… that’s the question?’
Ianto tried to protest. ‘I couldn’t find my jacket and tie. He’d tidied up.’
‘You left them lying on the floor… I just hung them up in the cupboard.’
Ianto was about to reply when Jack held up a hand to stop them. ‘Louise Ruth… check the outside view camera … we’ll see if anything has changed since the Doctor and Jo were here last.’ Jack, now leaping on the opportunity to take the high ground, looked at Ianto, ‘When you and the cute Mr Frame have finished with your hissy-fit tell UNIT to bring the Thals up here… they survived this terrain for months after their ship crashed. They should have a better idea than we do of what to expect.’
Ianto shook his head in dismay and turning motioned for Alonso to follow. ‘Come on cutes… lets go.’
‘What does cute mean… and how am I cute?’
‘It’s another word for arsehole and you just are.’
‘What’s an arzhole?’ Alonso asked as they disappeared round the corner.
‘We’re going to have to trust the Thals on this one…you know… even Codal.’
Louise Ruth nodded but didn’t look happy about it. ‘They’ve got their own agenda… you know that?’
Jack nodded as he found the switch for the outside monitor. Part of the wall slid to one side and a jungle scene appeared in bright colour. Agent Johnson walked towards the monitor and shook her head. ‘I don’t like this one bit… ill prepared… no weapons or explosives to speak of and four renegade Thals that I wouldn’t trust for directions to the ladies let alone trek across hostile territory. They could lead us around in circles until we all die.’
‘You can trust my wife and myself agent Johnson. We only want to see an end to this once and for all. I will get you to the compound as quickly and as safely as possible as long as long as she remains here… in safety. The only problem would be, knowing where here is.’ Jack nodded and noticing Rebec place Taron’s hand on her slightly swollen tummy turned to face the monitor, embarrassed.
Ianto stepped from behind Taron, his stun gun aimed at the two Thals. Jack turned as Alonso entered the room supporting Evans on his right shoulder and cradling Evan’s shotgun on his left. Evans, Louise Ruth noticed as she approached, was bleeding from a deep head wound that was opened up to his skull.
‘What the hell…’ Jack said as he too rushed to Evan’s aid. Lowering him to the floor, Alonso stood the shotgun against the consol, barrel uppermost.
‘I found him in the Thals room unconscious… the other UNIT soldier was dead… stabbed, I think, from behind.’
Louise Ruth rounded on Taron who looked as shocked as any of them. ‘This is help where you come from?’
‘Where I came from no longer exists… thanks to your Doctor.’ Realising that he was angry Taron closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. ‘I am sorry about your friend… the soldier… Codal is a scientist… I can’t… perhaps Latep...’ He shook his head dismissing the idea out of hand. ‘No Thal did this. We are a peaceful people… we were a peaceful race of farmers until… ‘
‘Until the Doctor taught you how to fight against oppression.’ Jack added, having read the UNIT file regarding Skaro. The second UNIT soldier known as Steven burst through the door, pushing Taron out of his way.
‘Sergeant Barrett has the two Thals cornered in some kind of storage area. They’re not going anywhere.’ Placing a hand in one pocket Jack threw Ianto something small and metallic.
‘What is it? Ianto asked as he examined the object the size and shape of an apple.
‘It’s a stun grenade… get them out of there and in cuffs. The last thing we want is a renegade Thal running around the TARDIS killing people.’ Ianto and Alonso turned to leave as Jack stared at Taron wondering whether it would be safer having them all in cuffs.
‘If Codal is the killer then he will pay for his crimes… but…’ Taron was cut off by Jack who turned to look at the monitor. Bushes and trees were being pushed to one side by what appeared to be a wind that seemed localised to that one spot. The wind continued as more trees and bushes were displaced as if to let the breeze pass by. ‘Now what?’ Taron was about to say something when Louise Ruth cut him off.
‘They, Harkness, are Spiridon’s… indigenous to this planet and… as you can see… or not see… are invisible.’ Jack looked on in amazement as more trees were pushed to one side as if a group of invisible soldiers were making their way through the dense jungle. Jack turned his attention away from the screen and focused on Louise Ruth.
‘Tell me… what other surprises may we expect?’ Taron, who knelt in front of Evans, spraying his wound with an atomiser Rebec had given him began talking in earnest.
‘Spiridon, as you may or may not know, is situated in the Ninth System, many systems' from Skaro. Its surface is covered in a hostile jungle.’
Jack raised an eyebrow in question, ‘Hostile?’ Taron nodded as he handed the spray back to Rebec. The wound, Jack noticed was closing before his eyes.
‘Its thick lush forest of flora and fauna include aggressive and visually enabled plants, various hostile animals, and,’ he nodded towards the monitor screen, ‘invisible Spiridons.’
‘Invisible… what kind of monsters are they?’ Jack added but Taron shook his head. Evan’s wound had closed completely to be replaced by a red, angry scar.
‘Spiridon’s are humanoid creatures like us who have developed a way of rendering themselves invisible.’
Jack nodded, ‘A useful trick in a changing… err… when the situation warrants it,’ Jack said, correcting himself at the last moment.
As Taron stood, returning to his wife’s side, as if to protect her, Evan’s wound had diminished to a thin white scar that disappeared before their eyes. Taron continued, ‘It’s a defensive mechanism. The whole planet seems to be at war with itself… the winner holds the right to be known as the dominate species.’
Louise Ruth nodded understanding the logic in that. ‘How… ‘Louise Ruth started, not sure how to phrase the question she needed answering. ‘How do they know when others area about… I mean they can’t wander around invisible all the time… think of the confusion.’
Taron smiled, ‘They wear thick fur which also helps to differentiate themselves from one another.’ Louise Ruth nodded, letting him continue. ‘Some plants have the ability to attack by spraying a thick sap-like liquid, which grows a deadly fungus disease.’
‘Like Jo’s hand.’
The Thal nodded. ‘The plant life is more animal than vegetable, with creatures hostile to everyone, including themselves. As I said… it’s one big battle field out there.’
‘And we’re stuck in the middle of it,’ Jack added.
‘What about the planet… is it tropical?’ Louise Ruth asked.
‘The planet is ruled by extremes of day and night temperature. Its core is composed of ice. There is also a natural spring lake of molten ice, comprised of hyper cold, sub zero temperatures during the day and night so don’t go bathing while you’re out there.’
She smiled at the thought. ‘Is that where this evil is frozen… in the lake of ice?’
Taron nodded as he remembered, ‘We blew the wall so the storage area filled with ice, trapping them below the surface.’
‘Storage area… them…? Louise Ruth was about to ask but Jack cut her off.
‘You said extremes… if the jungle is as hot as it looks now… what happens at night?’
Taron nodded, ‘The temperature drops considerably. We hid in the Plain of Stones for warmth the last time we were here.’
‘Plain of Stones… that’s in Jo’s recording… she says that the stones trap the heat of the day and release it during the night.’
‘It kept us alive… but there was one problem… we weren’t the only ones that wanted to benefit from the warmth. Every creature around seeks refuge at night on the plain. You can’t see them in the dark except for their eyes… they glow like crystals.’ A shiver ran down Louise Ruth’s spine as she looked across at Jack who removed his Webley and checked that all chambers had rounds in. ‘Some of the creatures can fly so you will need to be careful.’
A rather dishevelled Codal and Latep were pushed into the main consol room, their arms fastened securely behind their back with plastic cuffs. Codal fell to the floor, his left arm bleeding profusely from shoulder to elbow. Latep had similar slash marks across his back and legs.
‘It wasn’t me… it wasn’t us I tell you. It came in the night… attacked the UNIT soldier and threw him across the room. We tried to fight back but…’ Latep began then broke down as if crying.
‘We ran… couldn’t stay,’ the other UNIT soldier was in the corridor… unconscious or… dead. It chased us… we managed to lock ourselves in… then… flash.’ Louise Ruth looked down at the injuries on both men and felt as if she was about to vomit.
Jack saw her reaction and wiped his forehead with his left hand. ‘Shit… just when I thought we had this nailed… a werewolf’s loose on the TARDIS.’ Looking up Jack almost shouted, ‘Give me a break.’ As if on cue a howl sounded from deep inside the TARDIS as Sergeant Barrett ran into the room, his Sig Sauer P226, aimed the way he had come.
‘You’ll never believe this,’ he said almost out of breath.
‘Don’t tell me… there’s a giant werewolf roaming the corridors, attacking anything that moves.’
Barrett turned to Jack a look of incomprehension showing clearly on his face. ‘How had he known?’ he thought just as the beast slammed into him throwing him into Jack and the Steven, the UNIT soldier. Leaping across the control room the beast howled and froze as it stared into Louise Ruth eyes.
A loud explosion ripped through the room, momentarily deafening everyone. As the beast fell backward, almost cut in two Jack noticed Evan’s shotgun cradled in both of her arms. Tears ran freely down her cheeks as she gazed down at the dying beast. Slowly Jack approached her and placing a hand on the extended barrel he tried to pull it out of her hands. Without thinking she gripped the firearm as tightly as she could afraid to let go in case the beast came back to life.
‘Let me have that now, the werewolf is dead and there’s nothing to fear.’ Jack spoke slowly and quietly as he pulled the gun from her hands. Behind him the best growled and a clawed hand slashed at Jack’s back. Without missing a beat Jack turned and began clubbing the half man half animal as if it were an unwanted house spider. After virtually crushing its head Louise Ruth placed a hand on the blooded shotgun and looked Jack in the eyes.
‘Let me have that now… the werewolf is dead… there’s nothing to fear.’ Her words came out slow and patronising as Jack almost relinquished the weapon to her.
Shaking his head he smiled at her then looked back at the corpse lying on the floor at his feet. ‘Bastard is now.’
***
As Evans and Barrett buried the UNIT soldier and what was left of the werewolf the rest of the team, along with the two redeemed Thals, prepared a scouting expedition to check the surrounding area. Evans and Barrett stayed with the TARDIS securing a perimeter of defence and checking each floor for any more surprises the Rani may have left. Agent Johnston kept watch as Rebec gathered food and water, as there hadn’t been time to bring any with them. Jack, the UNIT soldier Steven and Louise Ruth, with Taron leading the way headed in one direction, while Ianto, Alonso and the two Thals, Codal and Latep headed in the opposite direction.
Looking back, Louise Ruth noticed that the TARDIS, which now looked like a rocky outcropping, blended in perfectly with its surroundings. Unlike the Doctor’s police call box, it may be hard to find if they were in a hurry to get back. The surrounding jungle didn’t offer any immediate landmarks she could use as a guide but the path they walked on seemed well trodden. Holding the Tazar pistol in the crock of her arm she scanned the surrounding undergrowth for any signs of life, whether visible or invisible.
‘Taron,’ Louise Ruth shouted, what do we do if we bump into any Spiridons? How deadly are they?’
Taron shook his head, ‘That’s all your race can think about isn’t it. You’ve just landed on a strange planet and already you’re wondering if you can subjugate the indigenousness life forms.’
Without missing a Louise Ruth continued, ‘Good job Barrett didn’t come with us. He’d want to buy the place with beads.’ Not understanding the comment, Taron shook his head.
‘They’re peaceful… or they were the last time we were here. Your predecessor Jo Grant made a friend, Wester I think they called him. He gave his life to stop the spread of a deadly virus that would have killed everything on this planet.’ Louise Ruth nodded as she walked. She’d heard Jo talking about Wester but hadn’t realised it had been a Spiridon.
‘Stop…’ she shouted as all turned to look at her. ‘Jo talks about plants that follow you when you pass.’ Taron nodded then following her gaze noticed an eye-like plant that had turned as they passed become agitated. Jack moved just in time to see a thick tentacle sneaked out through the undergrowth and wrapped itself around Steven’s legs, pulling them out from under him. He hit the ground hard and was dragged through he undergrowth towards the agitated eye-plant. Diving Jack grabbed hold of Steven’s outstretched arms. His momentum was slowed enough for Louise Ruth to aim her stun gun at the exposed vine and give it a quick jolt. It had the desired effect and Steven was released, causing Jack to fall back into a small shrub that seemed to wrap itself around him as he fell. Giving the shrubbery a further jolt of electricity Louise Ruth pulled Jack to his feet.
As he dusted himself off all three turned to see the Thal in the exact place they had left him. ‘Thanks for your help Taron… we couldn’t have done it without you.’ Taron noted the sarcasm in Jack’s voice but shrugged it off.
‘I could see that you had the situation under control. I thought I would be best utilised checking our prospective route.’
Louise Ruth shook her head as she helped Jack to his feet. ‘Well Taron… if you get into trouble with the local plant life I’ll make sure I’m checking the route as well.’ Frowning, Taron turned and continued walking, feeling that the rift between them had grown bigger rather than smaller.
More eye plants follow their progress as they pass, but no more become agitated. Calling a halt to the procession Jack noticed a number of hanging vines attached to a large stone object.
‘It’s some kind of ruin I think. Must be hundreds of years old,’ Ianto said as he ran his hand over the warm stone structure. A noise attracted Jack’s attention as Louise Ruth jumped on the stone statue. From behind her Jack realised why when the jungle came alive with more sounds than before. A squealing pig ran through the undergrowth then was cut short as a vine wrapped around it and dragged it back towards the eye plants that seemed to surround them now. Looking around nervously Louise Ruth noticed a number of giant spiders webs attached to the statues. Quickly she jumped down and grabbed Jack’s arm.
‘I don’t want to stick around and wait for the builders to return,’ she said motioning towards the spiders webs. Jack nodded, heading off after Taron and Steven. The rustling sound behind them seemed to increase and in panic Louise Ruth grabbed Jack’s hand and ran with him through the dense jungle. It was if they were being followed at speed, as they ran, but no one was in sight. Taron and Steven had disappeared up ahead as they ran in pursuit. The sound from behind them increased and they increased their speed, Jack keeping pace with Louise Ruth, knowing that her leg hadn’t been long out of its cast.
Just when the noise seemed to emanate from all around them they burst out into a clearing and came to an immediate halt. Turning Jack removed his Webely but the sound diminished then disappeared all together. Looking at Louise Ruth Jack was about to say something when he realised she was staring into the clearing they had just ran into. Before them were the metal remains of what appeared to be a giant space ship.
***
Ianto could have kicked himself for his own stupidity. Alonso caught up to him and shook his head.
‘It looks like our two friends, Codal and Latep have gone.’ Left in the middle of a hostile jungle Ianto and Alonso searched the area for any signs that the Thals had passed that way. Not wishing to leave the path, they continued, despite the fact that Alonso was sure they were being followed.
‘I’m telling you… there’s something behind us keeping pace.’ Ianto removed his stun gun and checked the path they had taken but could seen nothing. The rustling sound that had alerted Alonso grew in intensity as the undergrowth seemed to come alive with movement.
‘Run,’ Ianto said and turning headed off down the track closely followed by Alonso. They had been running for a few minutes when Ianto, who was in the lead, slammed face first into a solid object. Thinking he had slipped, Alonso, sweat running freely down his face, ran towards him ready to help him to his feet. He to hit an immovable object and immediately blacked out.
***
Taron patted the side of the ship as Steven entered through a hole in the ships side. ‘This was the star ship Rebec and her crew arrived in, which means… I know exactly where we are and how far it is to the compound.’
Jack approached the ship noticing no signs of energy weapon burns on the rusted hull. ‘What was it, a crash landing…? There’s no signs of a fight.’
Taron nodded as he examined the Thal workmanship with loving care. ‘There’s something strange about the atmosphere on Spiridon. We calculated the angle of decent incorrectly and they did the same.’
Jack looked confused. ‘This isn’t your ship?’
Taron shook his head, ‘This was Rebec’s and her crew. Only three survived the crash landing. We crashed over in that direction months earlier.’ Taron pointed back the way they had come but slightly to the south.’
Jack looked the ship up and down examining it in detail. ‘How do you know this isn’t your ship? I mean… it was a long time ago and surely one Thal ship would look the same as another.’
Taron nodded as he walked away from the ship and smiled. ‘Our ship was destroyed shortly after this one crash landed. My ship will be nothing more than twisted, rusted metal by now.’
Seeing three ways out of the clearing Louise Ruth approached Taron and pointed at them. ‘Which way, Thal man? Which way to this compound and the evil hopefully still buried there.’ Taron stood with his back to the ship and gazing around pointed at the centre of the three tracks and motioned for them to follow
Chapter Four - The Invisible Enemy
Locked away in one of the rooms adjacent to the control room Louise Ruth tried listening to Jo Grant’s recording. The voice of the TARDIS swirled around in her head making any coherent thought almost impossible. Sleep too came in fits and starts and she would wake covered in sweat, her sheets soaked. Exhaustion finally claimed her as her body and mind slipped away from reality into a dreamless world of relaxation and much needed sleep.
Waking with a start she immediately felt the lack of vibration from the floor. Dressing she realised with a start that the voices too had stopped. Not only could she think clearly but with a clarity that surprised even her. Leaving the room at a run she was confronted by Jack and Johnson who both stood gazing down at the centre consol. The time rotor had stopped moving and everything was still.
‘It seems we have arrived… good or bad,’ Jack said, the only one that looked as if he’d had a good night’s sleep. Louise Ruth wasn’t surprised when she found out later that he had been the only one that hadn’t searched out a room to sleep in. The Thals had been locked away and Evans and the two remaining UNIT soldiers had taken turns guarding them.
‘Nice to see you back among the living,’ Johnson said as she checked Louise Ruth’s condition and was surprised to see her smile. ‘So… what can we expect to find outside?’ she asked as Louise Ruth held up Jo’s recording and activated the play button.
‘My hand... my hand and my arm are infected by... by something I can't describe, spreading rapidly, my hand is... already quite numb...’
‘Well… that’s what … self pleasure does… does for you.’ All turned to look at Evans as he entered the control room yawning and stretching, closely followed by Ianto and Alonso. Ianto was buttoning his jacket and Alonso was fastening his belt as Jack turned to face them. Immediately Ianto went on the defensive as his gaze moved from Jack to Alonso. Finally he watched Jack’s accusing stare, which seemed to say everything.
‘We were sleeping… we just slept… no other rooms with beds.’
‘You shared a bed… with Alonso?’ Jack looked aghast.
‘Yes… no… well not shared… we just used the same mattress… at the same … time.’
Louise Ruth looked at Jack with a smile that said it all, ‘I think my lady protests too much.’ The Shakespearian quotation was lost on Alonso but Jack understood and took the opportunity to turn his back on Ianto. She shook her head tutted as she returned the recorder back to her shoulder bag.
‘But why were you late… that’s the question?’
Ianto tried to protest. ‘I couldn’t find my jacket and tie. He’d tidied up.’
‘You left them lying on the floor… I just hung them up in the cupboard.’
Ianto was about to reply when Jack held up a hand to stop them. ‘Louise Ruth… check the outside view camera … we’ll see if anything has changed since the Doctor and Jo were here last.’ Jack, now leaping on the opportunity to take the high ground, looked at Ianto, ‘When you and the cute Mr Frame have finished with your hissy-fit tell UNIT to bring the Thals up here… they survived this terrain for months after their ship crashed. They should have a better idea than we do of what to expect.’
Ianto shook his head in dismay and turning motioned for Alonso to follow. ‘Come on cutes… lets go.’
‘What does cute mean… and how am I cute?’
‘It’s another word for arsehole and you just are.’
‘What’s an arzhole?’ Alonso asked as they disappeared round the corner.
‘We’re going to have to trust the Thals on this one…you know… even Codal.’
Louise Ruth nodded but didn’t look happy about it. ‘They’ve got their own agenda… you know that?’
Jack nodded as he found the switch for the outside monitor. Part of the wall slid to one side and a jungle scene appeared in bright colour. Agent Johnson walked towards the monitor and shook her head. ‘I don’t like this one bit… ill prepared… no weapons or explosives to speak of and four renegade Thals that I wouldn’t trust for directions to the ladies let alone trek across hostile territory. They could lead us around in circles until we all die.’
‘You can trust my wife and myself agent Johnson. We only want to see an end to this once and for all. I will get you to the compound as quickly and as safely as possible as long as long as she remains here… in safety. The only problem would be, knowing where here is.’ Jack nodded and noticing Rebec place Taron’s hand on her slightly swollen tummy turned to face the monitor, embarrassed.
Ianto stepped from behind Taron, his stun gun aimed at the two Thals. Jack turned as Alonso entered the room supporting Evans on his right shoulder and cradling Evan’s shotgun on his left. Evans, Louise Ruth noticed as she approached, was bleeding from a deep head wound that was opened up to his skull.
‘What the hell…’ Jack said as he too rushed to Evan’s aid. Lowering him to the floor, Alonso stood the shotgun against the consol, barrel uppermost.
‘I found him in the Thals room unconscious… the other UNIT soldier was dead… stabbed, I think, from behind.’
Louise Ruth rounded on Taron who looked as shocked as any of them. ‘This is help where you come from?’
‘Where I came from no longer exists… thanks to your Doctor.’ Realising that he was angry Taron closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. ‘I am sorry about your friend… the soldier… Codal is a scientist… I can’t… perhaps Latep...’ He shook his head dismissing the idea out of hand. ‘No Thal did this. We are a peaceful people… we were a peaceful race of farmers until… ‘
‘Until the Doctor taught you how to fight against oppression.’ Jack added, having read the UNIT file regarding Skaro. The second UNIT soldier known as Steven burst through the door, pushing Taron out of his way.
‘Sergeant Barrett has the two Thals cornered in some kind of storage area. They’re not going anywhere.’ Placing a hand in one pocket Jack threw Ianto something small and metallic.
‘What is it? Ianto asked as he examined the object the size and shape of an apple.
‘It’s a stun grenade… get them out of there and in cuffs. The last thing we want is a renegade Thal running around the TARDIS killing people.’ Ianto and Alonso turned to leave as Jack stared at Taron wondering whether it would be safer having them all in cuffs.
‘If Codal is the killer then he will pay for his crimes… but…’ Taron was cut off by Jack who turned to look at the monitor. Bushes and trees were being pushed to one side by what appeared to be a wind that seemed localised to that one spot. The wind continued as more trees and bushes were displaced as if to let the breeze pass by. ‘Now what?’ Taron was about to say something when Louise Ruth cut him off.
‘They, Harkness, are Spiridon’s… indigenous to this planet and… as you can see… or not see… are invisible.’ Jack looked on in amazement as more trees were pushed to one side as if a group of invisible soldiers were making their way through the dense jungle. Jack turned his attention away from the screen and focused on Louise Ruth.
‘Tell me… what other surprises may we expect?’ Taron, who knelt in front of Evans, spraying his wound with an atomiser Rebec had given him began talking in earnest.
‘Spiridon, as you may or may not know, is situated in the Ninth System, many systems' from Skaro. Its surface is covered in a hostile jungle.’
Jack raised an eyebrow in question, ‘Hostile?’ Taron nodded as he handed the spray back to Rebec. The wound, Jack noticed was closing before his eyes.
‘Its thick lush forest of flora and fauna include aggressive and visually enabled plants, various hostile animals, and,’ he nodded towards the monitor screen, ‘invisible Spiridons.’
‘Invisible… what kind of monsters are they?’ Jack added but Taron shook his head. Evan’s wound had closed completely to be replaced by a red, angry scar.
‘Spiridon’s are humanoid creatures like us who have developed a way of rendering themselves invisible.’
Jack nodded, ‘A useful trick in a changing… err… when the situation warrants it,’ Jack said, correcting himself at the last moment.
As Taron stood, returning to his wife’s side, as if to protect her, Evan’s wound had diminished to a thin white scar that disappeared before their eyes. Taron continued, ‘It’s a defensive mechanism. The whole planet seems to be at war with itself… the winner holds the right to be known as the dominate species.’
Louise Ruth nodded understanding the logic in that. ‘How… ‘Louise Ruth started, not sure how to phrase the question she needed answering. ‘How do they know when others area about… I mean they can’t wander around invisible all the time… think of the confusion.’
Taron smiled, ‘They wear thick fur which also helps to differentiate themselves from one another.’ Louise Ruth nodded, letting him continue. ‘Some plants have the ability to attack by spraying a thick sap-like liquid, which grows a deadly fungus disease.’
‘Like Jo’s hand.’
The Thal nodded. ‘The plant life is more animal than vegetable, with creatures hostile to everyone, including themselves. As I said… it’s one big battle field out there.’
‘And we’re stuck in the middle of it,’ Jack added.
‘What about the planet… is it tropical?’ Louise Ruth asked.
‘The planet is ruled by extremes of day and night temperature. Its core is composed of ice. There is also a natural spring lake of molten ice, comprised of hyper cold, sub zero temperatures during the day and night so don’t go bathing while you’re out there.’
She smiled at the thought. ‘Is that where this evil is frozen… in the lake of ice?’
Taron nodded as he remembered, ‘We blew the wall so the storage area filled with ice, trapping them below the surface.’
‘Storage area… them…? Louise Ruth was about to ask but Jack cut her off.
‘You said extremes… if the jungle is as hot as it looks now… what happens at night?’
Taron nodded, ‘The temperature drops considerably. We hid in the Plain of Stones for warmth the last time we were here.’
‘Plain of Stones… that’s in Jo’s recording… she says that the stones trap the heat of the day and release it during the night.’
‘It kept us alive… but there was one problem… we weren’t the only ones that wanted to benefit from the warmth. Every creature around seeks refuge at night on the plain. You can’t see them in the dark except for their eyes… they glow like crystals.’ A shiver ran down Louise Ruth’s spine as she looked across at Jack who removed his Webley and checked that all chambers had rounds in. ‘Some of the creatures can fly so you will need to be careful.’
A rather dishevelled Codal and Latep were pushed into the main consol room, their arms fastened securely behind their back with plastic cuffs. Codal fell to the floor, his left arm bleeding profusely from shoulder to elbow. Latep had similar slash marks across his back and legs.
‘It wasn’t me… it wasn’t us I tell you. It came in the night… attacked the UNIT soldier and threw him across the room. We tried to fight back but…’ Latep began then broke down as if crying.
‘We ran… couldn’t stay,’ the other UNIT soldier was in the corridor… unconscious or… dead. It chased us… we managed to lock ourselves in… then… flash.’ Louise Ruth looked down at the injuries on both men and felt as if she was about to vomit.
Jack saw her reaction and wiped his forehead with his left hand. ‘Shit… just when I thought we had this nailed… a werewolf’s loose on the TARDIS.’ Looking up Jack almost shouted, ‘Give me a break.’ As if on cue a howl sounded from deep inside the TARDIS as Sergeant Barrett ran into the room, his Sig Sauer P226, aimed the way he had come.
‘You’ll never believe this,’ he said almost out of breath.
‘Don’t tell me… there’s a giant werewolf roaming the corridors, attacking anything that moves.’
Barrett turned to Jack a look of incomprehension showing clearly on his face. ‘How had he known?’ he thought just as the beast slammed into him throwing him into Jack and the Steven, the UNIT soldier. Leaping across the control room the beast howled and froze as it stared into Louise Ruth eyes.
A loud explosion ripped through the room, momentarily deafening everyone. As the beast fell backward, almost cut in two Jack noticed Evan’s shotgun cradled in both of her arms. Tears ran freely down her cheeks as she gazed down at the dying beast. Slowly Jack approached her and placing a hand on the extended barrel he tried to pull it out of her hands. Without thinking she gripped the firearm as tightly as she could afraid to let go in case the beast came back to life.
‘Let me have that now, the werewolf is dead and there’s nothing to fear.’ Jack spoke slowly and quietly as he pulled the gun from her hands. Behind him the best growled and a clawed hand slashed at Jack’s back. Without missing a beat Jack turned and began clubbing the half man half animal as if it were an unwanted house spider. After virtually crushing its head Louise Ruth placed a hand on the blooded shotgun and looked Jack in the eyes.
‘Let me have that now… the werewolf is dead… there’s nothing to fear.’ Her words came out slow and patronising as Jack almost relinquished the weapon to her.
Shaking his head he smiled at her then looked back at the corpse lying on the floor at his feet. ‘Bastard is now.’
***
As Evans and Barrett buried the UNIT soldier and what was left of the werewolf the rest of the team, along with the two redeemed Thals, prepared a scouting expedition to check the surrounding area. Evans and Barrett stayed with the TARDIS securing a perimeter of defence and checking each floor for any more surprises the Rani may have left. Agent Johnston kept watch as Rebec gathered food and water, as there hadn’t been time to bring any with them. Jack, the UNIT soldier Steven and Louise Ruth, with Taron leading the way headed in one direction, while Ianto, Alonso and the two Thals, Codal and Latep headed in the opposite direction.
Looking back, Louise Ruth noticed that the TARDIS, which now looked like a rocky outcropping, blended in perfectly with its surroundings. Unlike the Doctor’s police call box, it may be hard to find if they were in a hurry to get back. The surrounding jungle didn’t offer any immediate landmarks she could use as a guide but the path they walked on seemed well trodden. Holding the Tazar pistol in the crock of her arm she scanned the surrounding undergrowth for any signs of life, whether visible or invisible.
‘Taron,’ Louise Ruth shouted, what do we do if we bump into any Spiridons? How deadly are they?’
Taron shook his head, ‘That’s all your race can think about isn’t it. You’ve just landed on a strange planet and already you’re wondering if you can subjugate the indigenousness life forms.’
Without missing a Louise Ruth continued, ‘Good job Barrett didn’t come with us. He’d want to buy the place with beads.’ Not understanding the comment, Taron shook his head.
‘They’re peaceful… or they were the last time we were here. Your predecessor Jo Grant made a friend, Wester I think they called him. He gave his life to stop the spread of a deadly virus that would have killed everything on this planet.’ Louise Ruth nodded as she walked. She’d heard Jo talking about Wester but hadn’t realised it had been a Spiridon.
‘Stop…’ she shouted as all turned to look at her. ‘Jo talks about plants that follow you when you pass.’ Taron nodded then following her gaze noticed an eye-like plant that had turned as they passed become agitated. Jack moved just in time to see a thick tentacle sneaked out through the undergrowth and wrapped itself around Steven’s legs, pulling them out from under him. He hit the ground hard and was dragged through he undergrowth towards the agitated eye-plant. Diving Jack grabbed hold of Steven’s outstretched arms. His momentum was slowed enough for Louise Ruth to aim her stun gun at the exposed vine and give it a quick jolt. It had the desired effect and Steven was released, causing Jack to fall back into a small shrub that seemed to wrap itself around him as he fell. Giving the shrubbery a further jolt of electricity Louise Ruth pulled Jack to his feet.
As he dusted himself off all three turned to see the Thal in the exact place they had left him. ‘Thanks for your help Taron… we couldn’t have done it without you.’ Taron noted the sarcasm in Jack’s voice but shrugged it off.
‘I could see that you had the situation under control. I thought I would be best utilised checking our prospective route.’
Louise Ruth shook her head as she helped Jack to his feet. ‘Well Taron… if you get into trouble with the local plant life I’ll make sure I’m checking the route as well.’ Frowning, Taron turned and continued walking, feeling that the rift between them had grown bigger rather than smaller.
More eye plants follow their progress as they pass, but no more become agitated. Calling a halt to the procession Jack noticed a number of hanging vines attached to a large stone object.
‘It’s some kind of ruin I think. Must be hundreds of years old,’ Ianto said as he ran his hand over the warm stone structure. A noise attracted Jack’s attention as Louise Ruth jumped on the stone statue. From behind her Jack realised why when the jungle came alive with more sounds than before. A squealing pig ran through the undergrowth then was cut short as a vine wrapped around it and dragged it back towards the eye plants that seemed to surround them now. Looking around nervously Louise Ruth noticed a number of giant spiders webs attached to the statues. Quickly she jumped down and grabbed Jack’s arm.
‘I don’t want to stick around and wait for the builders to return,’ she said motioning towards the spiders webs. Jack nodded, heading off after Taron and Steven. The rustling sound behind them seemed to increase and in panic Louise Ruth grabbed Jack’s hand and ran with him through the dense jungle. It was if they were being followed at speed, as they ran, but no one was in sight. Taron and Steven had disappeared up ahead as they ran in pursuit. The sound from behind them increased and they increased their speed, Jack keeping pace with Louise Ruth, knowing that her leg hadn’t been long out of its cast.
Just when the noise seemed to emanate from all around them they burst out into a clearing and came to an immediate halt. Turning Jack removed his Webely but the sound diminished then disappeared all together. Looking at Louise Ruth Jack was about to say something when he realised she was staring into the clearing they had just ran into. Before them were the metal remains of what appeared to be a giant space ship.
***
Ianto could have kicked himself for his own stupidity. Alonso caught up to him and shook his head.
‘It looks like our two friends, Codal and Latep have gone.’ Left in the middle of a hostile jungle Ianto and Alonso searched the area for any signs that the Thals had passed that way. Not wishing to leave the path, they continued, despite the fact that Alonso was sure they were being followed.
‘I’m telling you… there’s something behind us keeping pace.’ Ianto removed his stun gun and checked the path they had taken but could seen nothing. The rustling sound that had alerted Alonso grew in intensity as the undergrowth seemed to come alive with movement.
‘Run,’ Ianto said and turning headed off down the track closely followed by Alonso. They had been running for a few minutes when Ianto, who was in the lead, slammed face first into a solid object. Thinking he had slipped, Alonso, sweat running freely down his face, ran towards him ready to help him to his feet. He to hit an immovable object and immediately blacked out.
***
Taron patted the side of the ship as Steven entered through a hole in the ships side. ‘This was the star ship Rebec and her crew arrived in, which means… I know exactly where we are and how far it is to the compound.’
Jack approached the ship noticing no signs of energy weapon burns on the rusted hull. ‘What was it, a crash landing…? There’s no signs of a fight.’
Taron nodded as he examined the Thal workmanship with loving care. ‘There’s something strange about the atmosphere on Spiridon. We calculated the angle of decent incorrectly and they did the same.’
Jack looked confused. ‘This isn’t your ship?’
Taron shook his head, ‘This was Rebec’s and her crew. Only three survived the crash landing. We crashed over in that direction months earlier.’ Taron pointed back the way they had come but slightly to the south.’
Jack looked the ship up and down examining it in detail. ‘How do you know this isn’t your ship? I mean… it was a long time ago and surely one Thal ship would look the same as another.’
Taron nodded as he walked away from the ship and smiled. ‘Our ship was destroyed shortly after this one crash landed. My ship will be nothing more than twisted, rusted metal by now.’
Seeing three ways out of the clearing Louise Ruth approached Taron and pointed at them. ‘Which way, Thal man? Which way to this compound and the evil hopefully still buried there.’ Taron stood with his back to the ship and gazing around pointed at the centre of the three tracks and motioned for them to follow
Chapter Four - The Invisible Enemy