Chapter Five - The Compound of the Daleks
Chapter Five - The Compound of the Daleks
Jack and Louise Ruth, the stick of wood lying across one shoulder, headed off in the direction the Daleks had come from and had eventually left by. To their surprise an anti-gravitational disc arrived sending them scurrying back into cover. The flying disc took away the casings of the three dead Daleks, leaving the bodies of Steven and Taron where they had fallen. Louise Ruth nodded, realising that Jack had been right when he predicted that they would think that a fight had occurred and both sides had killed each other. No Daleks were left to search for them and after only minutes, normality returned to the Plane of Stones.
Staying as close as they could without alerting them Jack and Louise Ruth kept to the track and were able to move at speed, following the Daleks as they cut a path through the jungle. Any plants that would have impeded their progress were destroyed by the Daleks as they passed. Those plants that could move on their own kept well out of the way having previously seen the destruction the Daleks could bring. After an hour’s walking, with Louise Ruth complaining all the way, they saw the outskirts of the compound looming up through the tree line.
A lot of noise and confusion up ahead caused them to stop and move off the track in case the Daleks sent another patrol on the same route as the one they’d been following. After five minutes wait all became unnervingly quiet. Jack held up a hand for Louise Ruth to stay where she was and headed off down the track after the Daleks.
He’d only moved a hundred yards when hands grabbed him from both sides and held him tight. Looking down he noticed his great coat was depressed where he had been gripped but he couldn’t see the hands that were holding him. He was about to shout a warning to Louise Ruth when an invisible hand was placed over his mouth. He was about to bite it when he felt its smoothness against his cheek and decided to wait and see what this was all about. At least they weren’t Daleks, he thought.
***
Agent Johnson looked around wildly but was unable to see anything as she scanned the woods for any signs of life. After being held for what seemed like hours, but was probably only seconds, she thought, two figures emerged from the surrounding jungle, both clad in purple furs. They approached her and stood so close she could feel the fur on her cheek. Before she could say anything the fur was removed and Ianto Jones stood before her smiling.
‘Agent Johnson… so nice to see you… just popped in for a visit?’
Johnson shook the hand loose from her mouth and stared at Ianto. ‘What the hell’s going on and where’s the rest of them?’ Nodding all three UNIT soldiers were set free and were able to retrieve their weapons.
Pointing behind him Ianto said in a whisper, ‘The compound is just behind us, beyond those trees and it’s filled with-’
Agent Johnson cut him off finishing his sentence for him. ‘Daleks… I know. We took care of two of them next to the TARDIS.’
Ianto looked hurt as she moved her gaze to the second purple fur-clad figure. Alonso removed the fur. His smile was lost on her as she turned to look around as if searching for something.
‘They’re the Spiridons… they’re invisible.’ Johnson nodded taking this new intelligence in her stride, no matter how outlandish it was. She’d been with UNIT for some time now and nothing, it seemed, could or would surprise her. A noise from behind them drew her attention as Johnson turned to Ianto, ‘More friends?’
Ianto shook his head. Nodding towards the bush the three UNIT soldiers ducked into cover. Picking up his fur Ianto joined them closely followed by Alonso. After a few moments two Daleks entered the clearing and paused exactly where they had been standing only moments ago. As they came level with Ianto’s position there was a flurry of invisible activity. He was surprised to see the Daleks being systematically pulled apart as invisible hands removed their energy weapons and nocked them over onto their sides. Eye storks were ripped from their mountings and discarded closely followed by two metallic pincer arms.
‘Warning… we are… under…’ The silver and grey Dalek to his right had only realised what was happening when its dome was forced open and the biological part of the Dalek inside was forcibly removed. Dropped to the ground it was quickly crushed underfoot. Looking across at the second Dalek it hadn’t even had time to call out before it too was dismantled and destroyed. Quickly each section was dragged into the forest and discarded. After only a few minutes there wasn’t a single sign that a Dalek had ever passed that way. The Spiridons were alerted by another sound from the track behind them and standing either side grabbed a human intruder before he could shout a warning.
Immediately recognising the air force great coat Ianto quickly ran out into the clearing waving both his hands. ‘Stop… stop,’ he shouted, worried that Jack might receive the same treatment the two Daleks had previously undergone. ‘This is Jack Harkness… he’s with me.’ The hands that had pinned his own to his sides quickly left him but the hand that lay across his mouth lingered slightly. Jack reached out and took hold of it feeling its soft and warm skin.
‘Hello… I’m-’ he was cut off when a female voice began speaking over him.
‘You are the Jack Harkness I might bump into.’ Jack looked across at Ianto and smiled. The hand had belonged to a woman. Turning his gaze back to where he assumed the girl stood Jack gave her his best smile.
‘Hi… and what may I ask is your name?’
‘I am called Webber and I can not tell you that Alonso is Ianto’s northern mate. Also he never touched my breast or slept with me. I did kiss him but he never kissed back.’ Jack began to nod then realised what she had just said. Turning to Ianto he noticed a red tinge of guilt to his skin and Jack couldn’t help laughing.
‘Well as long as none of that happened then everything’s all right then.’ A noise from behind him startled him and turning he realised he’d forgotten about Louise Ruth. The distinctive sound of an energy weapon being discharged assailed his ears, closely followed by a scream of pain.
Heading off back the way he had came he managed to reach the place where he’d left her. With worry showing clearly on his face he knew she was gone. Shocked he noticed her stick lying on the ground at his feet and realised what must have happened. Crouching down he touched it fondly as tears ran down his cheeks. The three UNIT soldiers entered the clearing and immediately covered each arc of fire as Ianto ran towards Jack. There were no Daleks to be seen just Jack, his hand over his face and his eyes red and tearful. Placing a hand on his shoulder Ianto knelt next to him.
‘It… it was Louise Ruth....’ Forgetting her arc of fire Johnson stood and looked at Jack, anger showing clearly on her face.
‘No…’ was all she said as a noise to her left drew her attention. Two anti gravitational discs took off through the tree line and hovered over their heads moving towards the compound. ‘No… Nooooooooo…’ She screamed at the top of her lungs and she fired round after round into the nearest disk.
Her scream was drowned out by the noise of the disk as it wobbled then ducked down smashing into the solid stone of the compound wall beyond. The group as one ran towards the downed craft but found only the remains of three silver grey Daleks in the wreckage. One, it seemed was still alive.
Pulling the biological part of the Dalek free of its casing Johnson aimed the shotgun at it and pulled the trigger. With a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach she heard the empty dry click as the firing pin registered that the gun was empty. Dropping the gun she removed her SIG and chambering a round was about to fire when Jack stopped her.
‘Get off me Harkness… I’m going to kill every last one of those fuckers and no one here’s going to stop me.’
Keeping hold of her arm Jack took a deep breath and just managed to say, ‘She’s still alive… Ianto saw her on the second disk. We need that piece of green shit to tell us where they’ve taken her.’ Jack let go of her arm while she thought.
Looking from Jack to Ianto, Johnson took a deep breath of her own and without warning fired two rounds into the Dalek. ‘Let’s go… err Jack… We’ll follow the Spiridons.’ Not able to say a word Jack nodded towards Ianto and Alonso and headed off after Johnson.
‘If your friend is with the Daleks… she would have been better of having died in the disc crash,’ Webber said to Ianto as they followed the compound wall towards the entrance.
***
She’d heard the tree line rustle but had thought it was Jack retuning. Before she had time to raise her club the emerging Dalek fired its primary weapon. To her surprise it didn’t burn as she thought it would have and looking down at herself couldn’t see any damage similar to that of Taron and Steven. The problem was, though, she couldn’t move.
Louise Ruth felt steel claws grip her arms and had the feeling of being dragged but there was no pain just numbness. Two large silver disks covered the jungle floor in front of her and she felt herself being dropped onto one of them. Her mind swam and a panic filled her as she tried hopelessly to move her arms. Then there was the sound of shouting, gunfire and a sense of floating as blackness filled her vision. Her hearing was the last to go and registered a loud explosion then nothing.
When she came around she was lying on the floor of a room covered from top to bottom in cold, silver metal. Groaning she tried to stand but fell unceremoniously back to the floor with a clang.
‘The effects of the paralysing blast will soon wear off… and then they’ll come for you.’ Pulling herself up into a sitting position Louise Ruth was about to replay when she realised she was alone. Looking around she saw only steel hoops adorning the walls and what looked like blood pooling on the floor.
‘My name is Cabal… I am a Spiridon… that’s why you can not see me,’ the disembodied voice echoed a second time, but this time she could focus on its origin. Taking a deep breath she managed to push herself against the wall opposite from Cabal’s voice and gazed over at the hoop that, she surmised, held him to the wall.
‘Tell me Cabal…’ she began coughing as the effects of the Dalek ray caused havoc with her breathing. ‘Tell me Cabal, where are we and why are we here?’ She ended the question with another round of coughing that racked at her through. Thankfully she realised her shoulder bag was still wrapped around her and smiling breathed a sigh of relief. Reaching inside she removed a small bottle of water and drank its entire contents. Replacing the bottle and feeling refreshed she sat back gazing at the metal hoop in front of her.
‘We are deep in the compound of the Daleks and we are being prepared.’
Fishing inside her bag she removed an energy bar and peeled back the wrapper. ‘Do you want one,’ Louise Ruth said as she snapped the bar in two.
‘I have not eaten or drank for the passed two days… since I was captured. If you throw it towards the hoop I can catch it… my hands are free.’ Feeling guilty about drinking the water, Louise Ruth threw both halves towards Cabal. Looking on in amazement she notice the bar split a second time into four pieces and was moved along the hoops where they were finally eaten.
‘Err… how many of you are there?’ She asked counting the hoops as she did so.
‘When I arrived there were seven of us but… but now there are only four of us left.’
‘Why… I mean where are they taking you?’ Silence rained in the room as Louise Ruth looked from one hoop to another. ‘Where are they…’ she was cut off as a metallic sound came from the wall to her right, which slid to one side.
‘The… prisoner… Thal… has… awakened. Restrain… her… against… the… wall.’ Two silver grey Daleks came sliding towards her, their claws open as they approached.
Both her wrists were clamped as she was raised to her feet. Expecting to drop at any minute she was glad to find her legs could hold her weight. Her joy was fleeting as she was thrust against the wall and pinned down by a steel bar that hoped around her. A third Dalek came sliding in, apparently the one that had been giving orders she realised.
‘Now don’t you look pretty,’ Louise Ruth said as it entered the room. ‘Black and gold livery and… is that a different eye-stalk and dome-lights from the rest. Don’t tell me… you got the upgrade on e-bay. You out bid two Cybermen and a piece of shit.’
The distinctive looking Dalek slid soundlessly towards Louise Ruth, its claw hand outstretched. Looking closely she realised its claw was missing and in its place was a black dome of rubber. Smiling she added mischievously, ‘I get it… you’re the maintenance Dalek… here to unblock the drains.’
‘I… am… one… of… the… ruling… elite… I… am… the… Dalek… Supreme. I… was… sent… here… by… the… Dalek… High… Council… and… left… stranded… by… the… Doctor… when… he… helped… the… renegade… Thals… steel… my… ship.’
‘The Doctor…?’ Louise Ruth said unable to help herself. His name alone filled her with hope.
‘The… Doctor… is… the… greatest… enemy… of… the… Daleks… and… must… be… exterminated… on… sight.’ Louise Ruth smiled as she looked at the three Daleks in front of her.
‘You know what I say… any enemy of the Daleks is a friend of mine.’ The supreme Dalek moved around as if agitated, contemplating what to say next.
‘I… sent… a… communication… to… the… Supreme… Dalek… force… on… Skaro… to… send… a… rescue… ship… but… none… came… can… you… explain?’ Louise Ruth thought for a moment then looked the Dalek square on and smiled.
‘I bet you’re not a big Woody Allen fan are you. It’s just… you remind me of that scene in Sleeper when Miles first comes out of hibernation. You know the bit… when the doctors are trying to talk to him and he keeps bumping into them in his electric wheel chair.’ The Supreme Dalek became more agitated and rolled away from Louise Ruth.
‘Who… is… this…Woody…Allen? Is… he… a… friend… of… the… Doctor? Is he a Thal.’
Louise Ruth smiled, ‘Just waiting for the drool and it’ll be Miles all over again.’ Concentrating on the Supreme Dalek, she failed to notice a silver grey Dalek move towards her from the opposite side. As its claw touched her she screamed in pain. After only seconds the Dalek rolled backward as she fell forward, held up only by the steel bar around her.
‘Hit… her… again,’ The Supreme Dalek said in his lower pitched metallic voice.
‘She… is… unconscious… Dalek… Supreme. She… would… not… feel… any… pain.’ The black and gold Dalek rounded on the silver grey one and fired its primary weapon. Fire and smoke burst out of the Dalek as it was flung back against the wall. A high pitched scream came from inside its casing as the Supreme Dalek fired a second time. This time the scream was cut short as the Daleks weapon dropped towards the ground.
‘Remove… this… Dalek… and… inform… the… rest… never… to… question… my… orders.’
‘I… will… obey… Supreme… Dalek.’
***
They eventually came to what appeared to be the main entrance after walking almost two miles, much to Johnson’s annoyance. If she had a gun powerful enough, Jack knew, she would have blown holes into the compound wall even if the mountain it was built under collapsed on top of her. Looking closely at her he realised that she was about to walk in without the usual precautions. Placing a restraining hand on her shoulder Jack stopped her.
‘Hold on there… we haven’t a clue what’s in there.’ Johnson shrugged herself free.
‘I know… Louise Ruth’s in there and she needs us. This is one promise I will keep.’ Jack looked at her, his head tilted to one side as he thought.
‘You promised to protect her and you think this is your fault?’
Agent Johnson looked Jack square in the eye. ‘I promised to protect a lot of people and now they’re dead. I won’t break this promise… even if I have to die to make good on it. I can’t live like that again… I just can’t.’ Jack knew what this was about. It was about the death of his grandson and, nodding, he realised he could understand exactly what she was going through.
‘Well… better to be along side the devil than in his way.’ Turning towards the UNIT soldiers Jack nodded at the compound entrance. ‘Let’s move it out boys… we’re going in.’
Ianto looked at Alonso who returned his gaze. Their eyes had said it all; a proper truce had been arranged between them to be revisited at a later time.
***
Louise Ruth came round in a sea of pain and agony. Her entire body screamed out to her. Every muscle cramped at once in an unrelenting wash of sheer agony. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse they did. The metallic voice that had haunted her unconscious nightmare reverberated throughout the room.
‘Why… does… Skaro… ignore… our… communications? Why… haven’t… they… sent… a… rescue… ship?’ The pain began again in earnest and she heard a deep, guttural scream she’d never heard before. To her horror she realised it was her own.
‘Ahhhhhhh… you metallic piece of shit… I’m going to rip your fucking metal head off and shit inside your… Ahhhhhh!’ The pain continued as the silver grey Dalek placed its claw against her abdomen sending thousands of volts rippling through her body. The supreme Dalek watched unable to ask any more questions as Louise Ruth’s head lolled forward, her body still convulsed from the shocks but no more screams emanated from her mouth.
‘The… female… is… unconscious… supreme… leader. Do… you… wish… me… to… continue?’ The dome lights on the Daleks head flashed in unison with its voice as it spoke, washing the surroundings in a red glow.
‘No… we… will… interrogate… the… two… Thals.’ The supreme Dalek spun round and headed out of the door closely followed by the Dalek that had tortured Louise Ruth.
***
As they walked through the fire charred complex they came across their first Dalek motionless next to an access area. Its casing was black from the initial explosion and its gun arm hung loose, pointing towards the ground. Jack felt uneasy to say the least as he passed by, expecting it to spring into life at any moment. As they continued they realised that Daleks were littered about everywhere, all dead. The further below ground they travelled the less damage they found on their casings. With two Spiridons leading the way, flaming torches held high for light they walked through level Four and came to an abrupt halt.
‘What is it? Jack asked, drawing his Webley as he did so. Looking to his right he noticed an invisible hand wipe dust from a glass wall. Understanding, Ianto walked towards the fur clad figure of Webber and placed a hand on her shoulder.
‘It’s your father… isn’t it?’ Her voice came out in a low whisper.
‘Yes…’ Looking though the cleared section Ianto could see two dead Daleks, their eye storks and guns drooping at an angle, and a Spirodon skeleton of, what he assumed was Webber’s father, Wester, visible now in death. Passing the Bacteria Room Jack checked that it was still hermetically sealed and releasing a slow breath nodded.
‘It’s still contained… we’re ok.’ Peering through the glass he saw the bacteria tank, which stood on a table next to Wester’s remains. It was still open. Looking closely he noticed a bacteriological culture resembling green glop, still bubbling in the clear box. The explosion that had originally destroyed the compound hadn’t damaged the room or broken the seal. The tiniest particle, he knew, left free to grow would multiply and kill every living thing on the planet.
‘He was a good man… willing to sacrifice his life for others. You must be proud of him.’
‘I am Ianto but… I miss him.’ Ianto nodded and, placing his hand on the glass, realised that she still hadn’t move hers.
‘We all miss our fathers… it’s the lot children have to bare… all children… whether visible or not.’ Heading further into the complex they descended eight more levels. Without power they were unable to use the lifts. Slowly and cautiously they made their way down the shaft into the refrigeration unit.
***
Louise Ruth woke with a start. Her body ached all over but the pain and cramp had thankfully stopped. As she tried to open her eyes she realised they were stuck together with dried tears. Then it came back to her, the pain, the screaming and crying. They’d hurt her, they’d hurt her badly and deep down she knew they would pay.
The steel band was wrapped tight round her waist restricting her breathing as she lay slumped forward. Shifting position she managed to take her weight as a lung full of air filled her lungs. To her left she heard a woman sob in the darkness and knew it hadn’t only been her that had been tortured.
She was about to say something to comfort the woman when the lights flickered on and the door slid open with a metallic clang. Turning she noticed a Dalek glide in and face her. Looking closely she realised that this Dalek wasn’t the usual silver grey livery that most of the other Daleks had sported. This Dalek had been painted almost white. Taking a deep breath she prepared herself for the oncoming attack.
‘Just…’ her voice she realised was hoarse from shouting and screaming. She tried a second time. ‘Just… let me out of these bonds and… I’ll show you what I… can do. If the Doctor was…’ The Dalek moved closer to her surprising her with its speed.
‘Do… you… know… the… Doctor…? Are… you… his… companion?’ Louise Ruth looked at the Dalek astonished at not only what he said but how he said it. ‘Are… you… a… friend… like…Jamie?’ This was unbelievable, she thought. The Doctor had spoken of a previous companion named Jamie McCrimmon, a Highlander he’d picked up at the battle of Culloden in 1746. Was this a new ploy by the Daleks or did this particular Dalek know the Doctor personally?
‘Who are you?’ She asked her throat feeling like sandpaper as she spoke.
‘I… am… called… Omega. This… is… the… name… the… Doctor… gave… me. He… is… my… friend.’ Louise Ruth was stunned, unable to speak for the first time in her life. ‘I… heard… that… an… Earth… woman… was… being… kept… here… and… hoped… the… Doctor… would… be… near… by.’ Louise Ruth closed her eyes as tight as she could still not understanding what was going on.
‘What… I mean how is this? You’re a Dalek. Don’t you have to bow to the Supreme leader or something? I saw one Dalek die at his hands because he showed a little humanity.’ She paused for a second then added, ‘I was faking unconsciousness so they’d stop.’
The Dalek seemed to think about this for a moment. ‘I… have… the… human… factor… implanted… in… me… by… the… Doctor. I… want… to… play… trains.’
‘Trains… what?’ Louise Ruth shook her head. The Doctor hadn’t told her about Trains, whatever that was.
‘Well… Dalek… err… sorry, Omega, I need a drink of water and releasing from this bar.’ She tapped the steel hoop that held her fast and waited patiently. Hopefully, she thought the Dalek was thinking over her request. Omega’s dome lights began to flash and he eventually spoke.
‘We… were… told… by… the… Emperor… that… there… was… only… one… form… of… life… that… mattered… Dalek… life. I… was… able… to question… this. The… Dalek… group… mind… cannot… cope… with… questions… to… orders.’
Moving to his right Omega’s claw extended towards her. Louise Ruth involuntarily pulled away from it. Closing her eyes she braced herself for the pain that was to come. After a few moments when nothing happened she opened her eyes to see a small water bottle in Omega’s outstretched claw. Quickly she grabbed it and removing the top drank greedily.
‘I… miss… Alpha… and… Beta. They… were… killed… in… the… Dalek… civil… war. They… were… my… friends. I… want… to… be… your… friend.’ Louise Ruth looked at Omega as he released her from the steel hoop. Patting Omega’s dome she almost fell forward, her legs unable to hold her weight. Taking hold of the Dalek she forced herself to stand.
‘You saved me Omega… from the evil supreme Dalek. You are my friend.’
Omega slid back across the floor and spun round in a circle. ‘I… am… your… friend. What… is… your… name… friend?’
She smiled and was glad to feel her legs take her weight. ‘My name is Louise Ruth and we need to get out of here fast.’
The Dalek spun a second time as if in joy. ‘Can… we… play… trains?’
Louise Ruth looked at the other hoops around the wall all housing invisible Spiridons. Flicking a switch on a small control panel situated near the door, all the hoops retracted into the wall. The room was filled with groans and the sound of bodies hitting the ground.
‘Those that can walk help those that can’t… we need to get out of here before that black and gold number comes back for more play time.’ Jumping onto the back of Omega she extended her right hand forward. ‘Lay on, Macduff and damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'
‘That… was… what… the… Doctor… said… when… we… played… trains. Mr… Shakespeare… told… him… to… say… that… but… he… said… lead… on… Macduff.’ A sound that resembled a train’s steam whistle seemed to emanate from somewhere inside the Dalek as it moved off out through the steel doors.
‘Trust the Doctor to misquote Shakespeare,’ Louise Ruth said forcing a smile.
***
Masonry lay scattered about the dust covered floor. More Daleks stood in corridors and entrance ways, long since dead and forgotten.
‘Not too big on burying their dead these Daleks… are they?’ Alonso said as he brushed passed an inert Dalek, trying desperately to avoid the claw hand that ended up poking into his side as he squeezed through.
‘At least we know the Daleks haven’t been this way. There must be another way to the refrigeration unit,’ Jack said as he pulled a Dalek casing, minus its dome, out of the way so they could pass.
‘What do you plan to do when we find these ten thousand hibernating Daleks?’ Ianto asked as he followed close behind Webber’s fur.
‘We will bring this entire compound down upon them and crush them once and for all. The Daleks have been in our lives for too long. We need to learn to live in freedom once more.’
‘Strong words,’ Jack said as he followed behind Ianto. ‘But how are they going to accomplish this? I can’t see any explosives… can you?’
Ianto looked at the two Spiridons in front of him and the three behind and shrugged. Alonso walked in front of the three remaining Spiridons looking both left and right as he moved. Despite this all round observation technique, Ianto realised, he still managed to bump into every obstruction he came across.
As they walked something caught Ianto’s eye and turning to his right noticed movement through a hole in the wall. Calling the procession to a halt he gazed through the crack and was stunned at what lay beyond. The initial explosion had torn a section of wall down and Ianto gazed through into the next corridor between two giant pillars that lay on one side. Jack stood next to him and bending forward saw hundreds of Daleks, their dome lights flashing, moving around freely. Their gold livery told Jack that these were the real thing.
‘It seems hibernation time is over,’ Jack said as he took a step backward to accommodate Johnson who almost elbowed him out of the way. ‘War Daleks… with force fields, the ability to fly, powerful guns and an attitude that would make Hitler seem like a puppy in comparison.’
Chapter Six - The Dalek Wars
Jack and Louise Ruth, the stick of wood lying across one shoulder, headed off in the direction the Daleks had come from and had eventually left by. To their surprise an anti-gravitational disc arrived sending them scurrying back into cover. The flying disc took away the casings of the three dead Daleks, leaving the bodies of Steven and Taron where they had fallen. Louise Ruth nodded, realising that Jack had been right when he predicted that they would think that a fight had occurred and both sides had killed each other. No Daleks were left to search for them and after only minutes, normality returned to the Plane of Stones.
Staying as close as they could without alerting them Jack and Louise Ruth kept to the track and were able to move at speed, following the Daleks as they cut a path through the jungle. Any plants that would have impeded their progress were destroyed by the Daleks as they passed. Those plants that could move on their own kept well out of the way having previously seen the destruction the Daleks could bring. After an hour’s walking, with Louise Ruth complaining all the way, they saw the outskirts of the compound looming up through the tree line.
A lot of noise and confusion up ahead caused them to stop and move off the track in case the Daleks sent another patrol on the same route as the one they’d been following. After five minutes wait all became unnervingly quiet. Jack held up a hand for Louise Ruth to stay where she was and headed off down the track after the Daleks.
He’d only moved a hundred yards when hands grabbed him from both sides and held him tight. Looking down he noticed his great coat was depressed where he had been gripped but he couldn’t see the hands that were holding him. He was about to shout a warning to Louise Ruth when an invisible hand was placed over his mouth. He was about to bite it when he felt its smoothness against his cheek and decided to wait and see what this was all about. At least they weren’t Daleks, he thought.
***
Agent Johnson looked around wildly but was unable to see anything as she scanned the woods for any signs of life. After being held for what seemed like hours, but was probably only seconds, she thought, two figures emerged from the surrounding jungle, both clad in purple furs. They approached her and stood so close she could feel the fur on her cheek. Before she could say anything the fur was removed and Ianto Jones stood before her smiling.
‘Agent Johnson… so nice to see you… just popped in for a visit?’
Johnson shook the hand loose from her mouth and stared at Ianto. ‘What the hell’s going on and where’s the rest of them?’ Nodding all three UNIT soldiers were set free and were able to retrieve their weapons.
Pointing behind him Ianto said in a whisper, ‘The compound is just behind us, beyond those trees and it’s filled with-’
Agent Johnson cut him off finishing his sentence for him. ‘Daleks… I know. We took care of two of them next to the TARDIS.’
Ianto looked hurt as she moved her gaze to the second purple fur-clad figure. Alonso removed the fur. His smile was lost on her as she turned to look around as if searching for something.
‘They’re the Spiridons… they’re invisible.’ Johnson nodded taking this new intelligence in her stride, no matter how outlandish it was. She’d been with UNIT for some time now and nothing, it seemed, could or would surprise her. A noise from behind them drew her attention as Johnson turned to Ianto, ‘More friends?’
Ianto shook his head. Nodding towards the bush the three UNIT soldiers ducked into cover. Picking up his fur Ianto joined them closely followed by Alonso. After a few moments two Daleks entered the clearing and paused exactly where they had been standing only moments ago. As they came level with Ianto’s position there was a flurry of invisible activity. He was surprised to see the Daleks being systematically pulled apart as invisible hands removed their energy weapons and nocked them over onto their sides. Eye storks were ripped from their mountings and discarded closely followed by two metallic pincer arms.
‘Warning… we are… under…’ The silver and grey Dalek to his right had only realised what was happening when its dome was forced open and the biological part of the Dalek inside was forcibly removed. Dropped to the ground it was quickly crushed underfoot. Looking across at the second Dalek it hadn’t even had time to call out before it too was dismantled and destroyed. Quickly each section was dragged into the forest and discarded. After only a few minutes there wasn’t a single sign that a Dalek had ever passed that way. The Spiridons were alerted by another sound from the track behind them and standing either side grabbed a human intruder before he could shout a warning.
Immediately recognising the air force great coat Ianto quickly ran out into the clearing waving both his hands. ‘Stop… stop,’ he shouted, worried that Jack might receive the same treatment the two Daleks had previously undergone. ‘This is Jack Harkness… he’s with me.’ The hands that had pinned his own to his sides quickly left him but the hand that lay across his mouth lingered slightly. Jack reached out and took hold of it feeling its soft and warm skin.
‘Hello… I’m-’ he was cut off when a female voice began speaking over him.
‘You are the Jack Harkness I might bump into.’ Jack looked across at Ianto and smiled. The hand had belonged to a woman. Turning his gaze back to where he assumed the girl stood Jack gave her his best smile.
‘Hi… and what may I ask is your name?’
‘I am called Webber and I can not tell you that Alonso is Ianto’s northern mate. Also he never touched my breast or slept with me. I did kiss him but he never kissed back.’ Jack began to nod then realised what she had just said. Turning to Ianto he noticed a red tinge of guilt to his skin and Jack couldn’t help laughing.
‘Well as long as none of that happened then everything’s all right then.’ A noise from behind him startled him and turning he realised he’d forgotten about Louise Ruth. The distinctive sound of an energy weapon being discharged assailed his ears, closely followed by a scream of pain.
Heading off back the way he had came he managed to reach the place where he’d left her. With worry showing clearly on his face he knew she was gone. Shocked he noticed her stick lying on the ground at his feet and realised what must have happened. Crouching down he touched it fondly as tears ran down his cheeks. The three UNIT soldiers entered the clearing and immediately covered each arc of fire as Ianto ran towards Jack. There were no Daleks to be seen just Jack, his hand over his face and his eyes red and tearful. Placing a hand on his shoulder Ianto knelt next to him.
‘It… it was Louise Ruth....’ Forgetting her arc of fire Johnson stood and looked at Jack, anger showing clearly on her face.
‘No…’ was all she said as a noise to her left drew her attention. Two anti gravitational discs took off through the tree line and hovered over their heads moving towards the compound. ‘No… Nooooooooo…’ She screamed at the top of her lungs and she fired round after round into the nearest disk.
Her scream was drowned out by the noise of the disk as it wobbled then ducked down smashing into the solid stone of the compound wall beyond. The group as one ran towards the downed craft but found only the remains of three silver grey Daleks in the wreckage. One, it seemed was still alive.
Pulling the biological part of the Dalek free of its casing Johnson aimed the shotgun at it and pulled the trigger. With a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach she heard the empty dry click as the firing pin registered that the gun was empty. Dropping the gun she removed her SIG and chambering a round was about to fire when Jack stopped her.
‘Get off me Harkness… I’m going to kill every last one of those fuckers and no one here’s going to stop me.’
Keeping hold of her arm Jack took a deep breath and just managed to say, ‘She’s still alive… Ianto saw her on the second disk. We need that piece of green shit to tell us where they’ve taken her.’ Jack let go of her arm while she thought.
Looking from Jack to Ianto, Johnson took a deep breath of her own and without warning fired two rounds into the Dalek. ‘Let’s go… err Jack… We’ll follow the Spiridons.’ Not able to say a word Jack nodded towards Ianto and Alonso and headed off after Johnson.
‘If your friend is with the Daleks… she would have been better of having died in the disc crash,’ Webber said to Ianto as they followed the compound wall towards the entrance.
***
She’d heard the tree line rustle but had thought it was Jack retuning. Before she had time to raise her club the emerging Dalek fired its primary weapon. To her surprise it didn’t burn as she thought it would have and looking down at herself couldn’t see any damage similar to that of Taron and Steven. The problem was, though, she couldn’t move.
Louise Ruth felt steel claws grip her arms and had the feeling of being dragged but there was no pain just numbness. Two large silver disks covered the jungle floor in front of her and she felt herself being dropped onto one of them. Her mind swam and a panic filled her as she tried hopelessly to move her arms. Then there was the sound of shouting, gunfire and a sense of floating as blackness filled her vision. Her hearing was the last to go and registered a loud explosion then nothing.
When she came around she was lying on the floor of a room covered from top to bottom in cold, silver metal. Groaning she tried to stand but fell unceremoniously back to the floor with a clang.
‘The effects of the paralysing blast will soon wear off… and then they’ll come for you.’ Pulling herself up into a sitting position Louise Ruth was about to replay when she realised she was alone. Looking around she saw only steel hoops adorning the walls and what looked like blood pooling on the floor.
‘My name is Cabal… I am a Spiridon… that’s why you can not see me,’ the disembodied voice echoed a second time, but this time she could focus on its origin. Taking a deep breath she managed to push herself against the wall opposite from Cabal’s voice and gazed over at the hoop that, she surmised, held him to the wall.
‘Tell me Cabal…’ she began coughing as the effects of the Dalek ray caused havoc with her breathing. ‘Tell me Cabal, where are we and why are we here?’ She ended the question with another round of coughing that racked at her through. Thankfully she realised her shoulder bag was still wrapped around her and smiling breathed a sigh of relief. Reaching inside she removed a small bottle of water and drank its entire contents. Replacing the bottle and feeling refreshed she sat back gazing at the metal hoop in front of her.
‘We are deep in the compound of the Daleks and we are being prepared.’
Fishing inside her bag she removed an energy bar and peeled back the wrapper. ‘Do you want one,’ Louise Ruth said as she snapped the bar in two.
‘I have not eaten or drank for the passed two days… since I was captured. If you throw it towards the hoop I can catch it… my hands are free.’ Feeling guilty about drinking the water, Louise Ruth threw both halves towards Cabal. Looking on in amazement she notice the bar split a second time into four pieces and was moved along the hoops where they were finally eaten.
‘Err… how many of you are there?’ She asked counting the hoops as she did so.
‘When I arrived there were seven of us but… but now there are only four of us left.’
‘Why… I mean where are they taking you?’ Silence rained in the room as Louise Ruth looked from one hoop to another. ‘Where are they…’ she was cut off as a metallic sound came from the wall to her right, which slid to one side.
‘The… prisoner… Thal… has… awakened. Restrain… her… against… the… wall.’ Two silver grey Daleks came sliding towards her, their claws open as they approached.
Both her wrists were clamped as she was raised to her feet. Expecting to drop at any minute she was glad to find her legs could hold her weight. Her joy was fleeting as she was thrust against the wall and pinned down by a steel bar that hoped around her. A third Dalek came sliding in, apparently the one that had been giving orders she realised.
‘Now don’t you look pretty,’ Louise Ruth said as it entered the room. ‘Black and gold livery and… is that a different eye-stalk and dome-lights from the rest. Don’t tell me… you got the upgrade on e-bay. You out bid two Cybermen and a piece of shit.’
The distinctive looking Dalek slid soundlessly towards Louise Ruth, its claw hand outstretched. Looking closely she realised its claw was missing and in its place was a black dome of rubber. Smiling she added mischievously, ‘I get it… you’re the maintenance Dalek… here to unblock the drains.’
‘I… am… one… of… the… ruling… elite… I… am… the… Dalek… Supreme. I… was… sent… here… by… the… Dalek… High… Council… and… left… stranded… by… the… Doctor… when… he… helped… the… renegade… Thals… steel… my… ship.’
‘The Doctor…?’ Louise Ruth said unable to help herself. His name alone filled her with hope.
‘The… Doctor… is… the… greatest… enemy… of… the… Daleks… and… must… be… exterminated… on… sight.’ Louise Ruth smiled as she looked at the three Daleks in front of her.
‘You know what I say… any enemy of the Daleks is a friend of mine.’ The supreme Dalek moved around as if agitated, contemplating what to say next.
‘I… sent… a… communication… to… the… Supreme… Dalek… force… on… Skaro… to… send… a… rescue… ship… but… none… came… can… you… explain?’ Louise Ruth thought for a moment then looked the Dalek square on and smiled.
‘I bet you’re not a big Woody Allen fan are you. It’s just… you remind me of that scene in Sleeper when Miles first comes out of hibernation. You know the bit… when the doctors are trying to talk to him and he keeps bumping into them in his electric wheel chair.’ The Supreme Dalek became more agitated and rolled away from Louise Ruth.
‘Who… is… this…Woody…Allen? Is… he… a… friend… of… the… Doctor? Is he a Thal.’
Louise Ruth smiled, ‘Just waiting for the drool and it’ll be Miles all over again.’ Concentrating on the Supreme Dalek, she failed to notice a silver grey Dalek move towards her from the opposite side. As its claw touched her she screamed in pain. After only seconds the Dalek rolled backward as she fell forward, held up only by the steel bar around her.
‘Hit… her… again,’ The Supreme Dalek said in his lower pitched metallic voice.
‘She… is… unconscious… Dalek… Supreme. She… would… not… feel… any… pain.’ The black and gold Dalek rounded on the silver grey one and fired its primary weapon. Fire and smoke burst out of the Dalek as it was flung back against the wall. A high pitched scream came from inside its casing as the Supreme Dalek fired a second time. This time the scream was cut short as the Daleks weapon dropped towards the ground.
‘Remove… this… Dalek… and… inform… the… rest… never… to… question… my… orders.’
‘I… will… obey… Supreme… Dalek.’
***
They eventually came to what appeared to be the main entrance after walking almost two miles, much to Johnson’s annoyance. If she had a gun powerful enough, Jack knew, she would have blown holes into the compound wall even if the mountain it was built under collapsed on top of her. Looking closely at her he realised that she was about to walk in without the usual precautions. Placing a restraining hand on her shoulder Jack stopped her.
‘Hold on there… we haven’t a clue what’s in there.’ Johnson shrugged herself free.
‘I know… Louise Ruth’s in there and she needs us. This is one promise I will keep.’ Jack looked at her, his head tilted to one side as he thought.
‘You promised to protect her and you think this is your fault?’
Agent Johnson looked Jack square in the eye. ‘I promised to protect a lot of people and now they’re dead. I won’t break this promise… even if I have to die to make good on it. I can’t live like that again… I just can’t.’ Jack knew what this was about. It was about the death of his grandson and, nodding, he realised he could understand exactly what she was going through.
‘Well… better to be along side the devil than in his way.’ Turning towards the UNIT soldiers Jack nodded at the compound entrance. ‘Let’s move it out boys… we’re going in.’
Ianto looked at Alonso who returned his gaze. Their eyes had said it all; a proper truce had been arranged between them to be revisited at a later time.
***
Louise Ruth came round in a sea of pain and agony. Her entire body screamed out to her. Every muscle cramped at once in an unrelenting wash of sheer agony. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse they did. The metallic voice that had haunted her unconscious nightmare reverberated throughout the room.
‘Why… does… Skaro… ignore… our… communications? Why… haven’t… they… sent… a… rescue… ship?’ The pain began again in earnest and she heard a deep, guttural scream she’d never heard before. To her horror she realised it was her own.
‘Ahhhhhhh… you metallic piece of shit… I’m going to rip your fucking metal head off and shit inside your… Ahhhhhh!’ The pain continued as the silver grey Dalek placed its claw against her abdomen sending thousands of volts rippling through her body. The supreme Dalek watched unable to ask any more questions as Louise Ruth’s head lolled forward, her body still convulsed from the shocks but no more screams emanated from her mouth.
‘The… female… is… unconscious… supreme… leader. Do… you… wish… me… to… continue?’ The dome lights on the Daleks head flashed in unison with its voice as it spoke, washing the surroundings in a red glow.
‘No… we… will… interrogate… the… two… Thals.’ The supreme Dalek spun round and headed out of the door closely followed by the Dalek that had tortured Louise Ruth.
***
As they walked through the fire charred complex they came across their first Dalek motionless next to an access area. Its casing was black from the initial explosion and its gun arm hung loose, pointing towards the ground. Jack felt uneasy to say the least as he passed by, expecting it to spring into life at any moment. As they continued they realised that Daleks were littered about everywhere, all dead. The further below ground they travelled the less damage they found on their casings. With two Spiridons leading the way, flaming torches held high for light they walked through level Four and came to an abrupt halt.
‘What is it? Jack asked, drawing his Webley as he did so. Looking to his right he noticed an invisible hand wipe dust from a glass wall. Understanding, Ianto walked towards the fur clad figure of Webber and placed a hand on her shoulder.
‘It’s your father… isn’t it?’ Her voice came out in a low whisper.
‘Yes…’ Looking though the cleared section Ianto could see two dead Daleks, their eye storks and guns drooping at an angle, and a Spirodon skeleton of, what he assumed was Webber’s father, Wester, visible now in death. Passing the Bacteria Room Jack checked that it was still hermetically sealed and releasing a slow breath nodded.
‘It’s still contained… we’re ok.’ Peering through the glass he saw the bacteria tank, which stood on a table next to Wester’s remains. It was still open. Looking closely he noticed a bacteriological culture resembling green glop, still bubbling in the clear box. The explosion that had originally destroyed the compound hadn’t damaged the room or broken the seal. The tiniest particle, he knew, left free to grow would multiply and kill every living thing on the planet.
‘He was a good man… willing to sacrifice his life for others. You must be proud of him.’
‘I am Ianto but… I miss him.’ Ianto nodded and, placing his hand on the glass, realised that she still hadn’t move hers.
‘We all miss our fathers… it’s the lot children have to bare… all children… whether visible or not.’ Heading further into the complex they descended eight more levels. Without power they were unable to use the lifts. Slowly and cautiously they made their way down the shaft into the refrigeration unit.
***
Louise Ruth woke with a start. Her body ached all over but the pain and cramp had thankfully stopped. As she tried to open her eyes she realised they were stuck together with dried tears. Then it came back to her, the pain, the screaming and crying. They’d hurt her, they’d hurt her badly and deep down she knew they would pay.
The steel band was wrapped tight round her waist restricting her breathing as she lay slumped forward. Shifting position she managed to take her weight as a lung full of air filled her lungs. To her left she heard a woman sob in the darkness and knew it hadn’t only been her that had been tortured.
She was about to say something to comfort the woman when the lights flickered on and the door slid open with a metallic clang. Turning she noticed a Dalek glide in and face her. Looking closely she realised that this Dalek wasn’t the usual silver grey livery that most of the other Daleks had sported. This Dalek had been painted almost white. Taking a deep breath she prepared herself for the oncoming attack.
‘Just…’ her voice she realised was hoarse from shouting and screaming. She tried a second time. ‘Just… let me out of these bonds and… I’ll show you what I… can do. If the Doctor was…’ The Dalek moved closer to her surprising her with its speed.
‘Do… you… know… the… Doctor…? Are… you… his… companion?’ Louise Ruth looked at the Dalek astonished at not only what he said but how he said it. ‘Are… you… a… friend… like…Jamie?’ This was unbelievable, she thought. The Doctor had spoken of a previous companion named Jamie McCrimmon, a Highlander he’d picked up at the battle of Culloden in 1746. Was this a new ploy by the Daleks or did this particular Dalek know the Doctor personally?
‘Who are you?’ She asked her throat feeling like sandpaper as she spoke.
‘I… am… called… Omega. This… is… the… name… the… Doctor… gave… me. He… is… my… friend.’ Louise Ruth was stunned, unable to speak for the first time in her life. ‘I… heard… that… an… Earth… woman… was… being… kept… here… and… hoped… the… Doctor… would… be… near… by.’ Louise Ruth closed her eyes as tight as she could still not understanding what was going on.
‘What… I mean how is this? You’re a Dalek. Don’t you have to bow to the Supreme leader or something? I saw one Dalek die at his hands because he showed a little humanity.’ She paused for a second then added, ‘I was faking unconsciousness so they’d stop.’
The Dalek seemed to think about this for a moment. ‘I… have… the… human… factor… implanted… in… me… by… the… Doctor. I… want… to… play… trains.’
‘Trains… what?’ Louise Ruth shook her head. The Doctor hadn’t told her about Trains, whatever that was.
‘Well… Dalek… err… sorry, Omega, I need a drink of water and releasing from this bar.’ She tapped the steel hoop that held her fast and waited patiently. Hopefully, she thought the Dalek was thinking over her request. Omega’s dome lights began to flash and he eventually spoke.
‘We… were… told… by… the… Emperor… that… there… was… only… one… form… of… life… that… mattered… Dalek… life. I… was… able… to question… this. The… Dalek… group… mind… cannot… cope… with… questions… to… orders.’
Moving to his right Omega’s claw extended towards her. Louise Ruth involuntarily pulled away from it. Closing her eyes she braced herself for the pain that was to come. After a few moments when nothing happened she opened her eyes to see a small water bottle in Omega’s outstretched claw. Quickly she grabbed it and removing the top drank greedily.
‘I… miss… Alpha… and… Beta. They… were… killed… in… the… Dalek… civil… war. They… were… my… friends. I… want… to… be… your… friend.’ Louise Ruth looked at Omega as he released her from the steel hoop. Patting Omega’s dome she almost fell forward, her legs unable to hold her weight. Taking hold of the Dalek she forced herself to stand.
‘You saved me Omega… from the evil supreme Dalek. You are my friend.’
Omega slid back across the floor and spun round in a circle. ‘I… am… your… friend. What… is… your… name… friend?’
She smiled and was glad to feel her legs take her weight. ‘My name is Louise Ruth and we need to get out of here fast.’
The Dalek spun a second time as if in joy. ‘Can… we… play… trains?’
Louise Ruth looked at the other hoops around the wall all housing invisible Spiridons. Flicking a switch on a small control panel situated near the door, all the hoops retracted into the wall. The room was filled with groans and the sound of bodies hitting the ground.
‘Those that can walk help those that can’t… we need to get out of here before that black and gold number comes back for more play time.’ Jumping onto the back of Omega she extended her right hand forward. ‘Lay on, Macduff and damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'
‘That… was… what… the… Doctor… said… when… we… played… trains. Mr… Shakespeare… told… him… to… say… that… but… he… said… lead… on… Macduff.’ A sound that resembled a train’s steam whistle seemed to emanate from somewhere inside the Dalek as it moved off out through the steel doors.
‘Trust the Doctor to misquote Shakespeare,’ Louise Ruth said forcing a smile.
***
Masonry lay scattered about the dust covered floor. More Daleks stood in corridors and entrance ways, long since dead and forgotten.
‘Not too big on burying their dead these Daleks… are they?’ Alonso said as he brushed passed an inert Dalek, trying desperately to avoid the claw hand that ended up poking into his side as he squeezed through.
‘At least we know the Daleks haven’t been this way. There must be another way to the refrigeration unit,’ Jack said as he pulled a Dalek casing, minus its dome, out of the way so they could pass.
‘What do you plan to do when we find these ten thousand hibernating Daleks?’ Ianto asked as he followed close behind Webber’s fur.
‘We will bring this entire compound down upon them and crush them once and for all. The Daleks have been in our lives for too long. We need to learn to live in freedom once more.’
‘Strong words,’ Jack said as he followed behind Ianto. ‘But how are they going to accomplish this? I can’t see any explosives… can you?’
Ianto looked at the two Spiridons in front of him and the three behind and shrugged. Alonso walked in front of the three remaining Spiridons looking both left and right as he moved. Despite this all round observation technique, Ianto realised, he still managed to bump into every obstruction he came across.
As they walked something caught Ianto’s eye and turning to his right noticed movement through a hole in the wall. Calling the procession to a halt he gazed through the crack and was stunned at what lay beyond. The initial explosion had torn a section of wall down and Ianto gazed through into the next corridor between two giant pillars that lay on one side. Jack stood next to him and bending forward saw hundreds of Daleks, their dome lights flashing, moving around freely. Their gold livery told Jack that these were the real thing.
‘It seems hibernation time is over,’ Jack said as he took a step backward to accommodate Johnson who almost elbowed him out of the way. ‘War Daleks… with force fields, the ability to fly, powerful guns and an attitude that would make Hitler seem like a puppy in comparison.’
Chapter Six - The Dalek Wars