Fic: Solaris
Author: bell_jar_fics
Story: Solaris
Character/Pairing: Doctor, Rose, Jack, OC, Hints of Doctor/Rose
Era: Ninth Doctor Era; Takes place between The Doctor Dances and Boomtown.
Rating: PG-13 (To be safe)
Chapter 5/? (Bad First Impressions)
Summary: The Doctor, Rose, and Jack travel to an Alien city, where they must team up with a local thief to retreive a series of mysterious artifacts of unknown capacity.
Disclaimer: Obviously not the owner.
I'd really like reviews for this story. Hardly anyone has left comments, which makes me sad.
Previous Chapters
“So, where are we off to first?” Rose asked once the TARDIS was in the vortex.
“According to these coordinates,” the Doctor stated, observing the readout on the monitor, “the first artifact is located on San Kloon.”
“Anything I should know about it?” Rose questioned eagerly.
“It’s a desert-type planet,” Solaris interrupted from the gantries, where she’d been sitting in an obvious attempt to keep as far from them as possible. “Famous for the three glass pyramids: one blue, one green, and the third red. The locals live a similar existence to the ancient Egyptians from your planet. It’s like the historical reenactment that never ends.”
“Sounds like you’ve been there,” Jack noted.
“I’ve heard stories about the place,” Solaris replied after a lengthy pause.
“Should we make a quick visit to the TARDIS’ wardrobe?” Rose wondered. “You know, to blend in.”
“No,” the Doctor shook his head. “Because we’re not going. I’m not going to be a thief’s errand boy.”
“You really don’t understand Karnack,” Solaris smirked. “It’s not a wise move to disappoint him. Remember, I was chosen to go with you and make sure you went through with your task.”
“You might be a talented thief, Solaris,” the Doctor frowned up at her as he set coordinates to some location other then San Kloon, “but I’d like to see you try and stop me.”
“I see.” Solaris’ smirk grew wider as she reached into her waistcoat pocket and took out a glass vial filled with a blue-green liquid, swirling the contents casually.
“What’s that?” Jack watched the swirling liquid in confusion.
“Antidote.”
“For what?” The Doctor’s face darkened in foreboding.
“The poison that was mixed with Rose's drink from the evening meal my fellow thieves gave you three last night.” Instantly, the Doctor and Jack turned to Rose in shock, while her face paled at the information.
“Give that here, Solaris,” the Doctor demanded, moving forward.
“Oh, yes. I could hand over this vial,” Solaris idly leaned back against the wall. “But you should know that this is only a small portion of the dose Rose needs to combat the poison. Karnack has the rest.”
“How could you do that?!” The Doctor was almost shouting now. “Rose needs that antidote now!”
“Do retract those veins in your temple, Doctor. Rosie Girl’s not in any immediate danger. The poison is one of Karnack’s personal favorites. It’s tasteless, odorless, unable to be detected by any science, and best of all, slow acting. She can last almost a month without the antidote. But beyond that…” Solaris smirked once again, tucking the vial of antidote back into her waistcoat pocket. “I suggest you don’t disappoint Karnack, Doctor. San Kloon, and the first artifact, is waiting. For Rose’s sake, you better not swan off.” For a long moment, the Doctor stood firm, glaring at Solaris in visible intense aversion. But then, he reset the coordinates for San Kloon.
“Rose?” He finally looked over at his friend with an expression meant to reassure her that he’d get the antidote for her in time. “It would be a good idea for you to visit the wardrobe, since we no longer have a choice. You can show Jack and Solaris how to get there.”
“Yeah, okay,” Rose nodded, leading the others to the TARDIS’ wardrobe, doing her best to appear unaffected by the sudden knowledge of the poison inside her body.
-----
The TARDIS landed a short time later on San Kloon, moments before Jack, Rose, and Solaris returned from the wardrobe. The girls were dressed in identical ankle length linen dresses. However, while Rose had also used eyeliner around her eyes to give them the characteristic Egyptian look, braided her hair, and had put on a fringed necklace of turquoise and lapis lazuli stones, Solaris had stopped after the dress, and had still refused to take off the eye visor. As for Jack, he was in a linen loincloth with an armband around his bicep.
“Well, we best get out there and find this artifact,” the Doctor decided. Now that he knew what was at stake, he wanted to find Karnack’s items as soon as possible.
“What about you?” Jack spoke up. “Aren’t you changing to blend in?”
“Oh, he never does,” Rose explained.
“Okay, let me get this straight,” Solaris grimaced. “I have to change into this linen…frock, and he’s not even going to try to blend in?!” The thief let out an irritated grunt and pushed past the Doctor to head out the door, muttering darkly, with words like ‘hypocrite’ and ‘git’ quite audible. The Doctor frowned after her.
“There’s one more reason I want to get these artifacts and bring them to Karnack in exchange for the antidote for Rose,” he spoke. “The sooner we get back to Baniru, the sooner we can drop Solaris.”
“You really don’t like her, do you?” Jack smirked.
“She’s one of the thieves who poisoned Rose. Do you need to ask?” As the Doctor made his way to the doors, Jack glanced over at Rose.
“Well, at least it gets his mind off his grudge on you,” she pointed out.
“Rose, you never said,” Jack’s voice lowered slightly, showing his concern. “Are you okay? I mean, knowing about the poison? ”
“I’m not worried. Not really,” Rose insisted. “The Doctor won’t let the poison take hold. He’ll get the artifacts to trade for the antidote in time. I know he will.”
-----
When Solaris had said San Kloon was famous for its glass pyramids, she had never mentioned how incredible they were. The pyramids, arranged within acute angles of each other, stood towering above everything. The rays from the large sun reflected off the smooth surfaces, casting bright colors of ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue over everything.
“Oh, this place is amazing!” Rose exclaimed, taking everything in. “If Mum could see this, she’d understand why I still travel with you, Doctor.”
“Tough. She’s not comin’ with us,” the Doctor quickly stepped on any ideas that might have been forming in her mind. “I’ve told you I don’t do families.”
“So, where do we start finding this artifact?” Jack wondered. “It would be easier if we knew which one is here.”
“Knife, belt, amulet or coronet,” Solaris agreed. “Would be a lot easier for me to find it if I knew which one it was.”
“In that case, we only have one option,” the Doctor announced. “Better ask the King of San Kloon.”
“There’s a king?” Rose blinked.
“Can’t have an Egyptian-style city without a supreme ruler, can you?” The Doctor joked. “Now, if I remember correctly, the Palace of San Kloon should be perfectly bordered by the Glass Pyramids. Let’s go see if I do remember correctly, shall we?”
-----
As the Doctor predicted, a solid stone wall bordered the King’s Palace, right in between the three pyramids, so the colored light shining down on it gave the appearance of a rainbow. Two imposing guards stood at the palace gates. They both resembled humans in a way, but one had the head of a hawk and the other of a crocodile. Rose had to force herself not to stare. She remembered seeing statues like them during a school field trip to the museum’s Egyptian exhibit, and suddenly wished she’d paid more attention to the tour guide.
“Hold,” the Hawk-headed Guard stopped the four travelers. “State your business.”
“We’re here to see the King of San Kloon,” the Doctor announced.
“What’s the purpose of your visit to King Hoaraph?” The Crocodile-headed Guard demanded.
“My companions and I are searching for something, and wish to ask if King Hoaraph would be willing to point us in the right direction.” The two guards remained silent, looking the four visitors up and down appraisingly. Finally, the Hawk-headed Guard spoke up.
“Wait here.” With that, the Hawk-headed Guard entered the palace. It was nearly ten minutes before he returned. “You will come with me,” the Hawk-headed Guard ordered once again. “And you will state your case respectfully and frankly.”
The group proceeded to follow the Hawk-headed Guard into the palace, while the Crocodile-headed Guard remained at his post. The Throne Room itself was a massive room constructed of intricately pained walls and pillars. Two dozen guards, all from the same alien species as the Hawk-headed Guard and Crocodile-headed Guard, stood surrounding King Hoaraph, seated in a golden throne, with two scarlet-skinned aliens, clearly the King’s slaves, crouched at his feet. King Hoaraph stared haughtily at the four companions as they knelt in front of him as a sign of respect.
“You will state your business in San Kloon,” King Hoaraph demanded. “But only your emissary will be allowed to speak.”
“King Hoaraph, esteemed ruler of San Kloon,” the Doctor began, making an effort to get on the ruler’s good side. “My companions and I have come to your planet in search of a certain artifact. It is vital that we find this artifact, as it is a matter of life or death for my friend, Rose.”
“And what exactly are you searching for?” King Hoaraph wanted to know.
“It could be any one of four items, King Hoaraph. A knife, a belt, an amulet, or a coronet.”
“You will find there are many items in San Kloon that could fall under those categories,” King Hoaraph pointed out. “Without further information, your searching would be unfruitful.”
“I understand, King Hoaraph. But each artifact has an identical arrangement of jewels. One large jewel, surrounded by eight smaller ones.” With these words, the King’s demeanor suddenly shifted, and he stood to full height.
“You will leave my presence immediately!” King Hoaraph bellowed. “I do not welcome thieves wishing to rob my palace!”
“I don’t understand,” the Doctor tried to reason. “We’re not here to steal anything.”
“Lies! There is no other reason you would know of such things! What else have you stolen from San Kloon?”
“We haven’t stolen anything!” Rose insisted, forgetting the decorum they had to keep up as a handful of guards dragged them all to their feet.
“Is that so?” The Hawk-headed Guard, who had been standing near Solaris, sneered. “Then perhaps you could explain why your friend sees fit to keep this hidden beneath her linen garb?” In a quick movement, the Hawk-headed Guard snatched a golden medallion off of Solaris’ neck, and brought it to King Hoaraph to study.
“Give it back!” Solaris cried, struggling to break loose from the guards that were restraining her.
“Exactly who have you stolen this medallion from, female?” King Hoaraph questioned, holding the medallion up, displaying the design emblazoned on it. The symbol was a motif of a fancy-looking figure eight, and Rose instantly remembered seeing it in Solaris’ trinket box, where she had stored the sonic screwdriver two days back. As Rose looked at the medallion, she heard the Doctor’s sharp intake of breath. Glancing over, she was surprised to see him staring at the medallion, looking like he’d just seen a ghost, and a real one. Not just one of the Gelth.
“I ask you again!” King Hoaraph’s voice had risen in volume. “Who have you stolen this medallion from?”
“I didn’t steal it!” Solaris replied adamantly. “It was a gift. From a friend. It’s my most prized possession; please return it to me.” King Hoaraph denied the request by clutching the medallion into his hand.
“Guards, take them to the dungeons,” he ordered. “Keep them there until they’re ready to talk.”
Story: Solaris
Character/Pairing: Doctor, Rose, Jack, OC, Hints of Doctor/Rose
Era: Ninth Doctor Era; Takes place between The Doctor Dances and Boomtown.
Rating: PG-13 (To be safe)
Chapter 5/? (Bad First Impressions)
Summary: The Doctor, Rose, and Jack travel to an Alien city, where they must team up with a local thief to retreive a series of mysterious artifacts of unknown capacity.
Disclaimer: Obviously not the owner.
I'd really like reviews for this story. Hardly anyone has left comments, which makes me sad.
Previous Chapters
“So, where are we off to first?” Rose asked once the TARDIS was in the vortex.
“According to these coordinates,” the Doctor stated, observing the readout on the monitor, “the first artifact is located on San Kloon.”
“Anything I should know about it?” Rose questioned eagerly.
“It’s a desert-type planet,” Solaris interrupted from the gantries, where she’d been sitting in an obvious attempt to keep as far from them as possible. “Famous for the three glass pyramids: one blue, one green, and the third red. The locals live a similar existence to the ancient Egyptians from your planet. It’s like the historical reenactment that never ends.”
“Sounds like you’ve been there,” Jack noted.
“I’ve heard stories about the place,” Solaris replied after a lengthy pause.
“Should we make a quick visit to the TARDIS’ wardrobe?” Rose wondered. “You know, to blend in.”
“No,” the Doctor shook his head. “Because we’re not going. I’m not going to be a thief’s errand boy.”
“You really don’t understand Karnack,” Solaris smirked. “It’s not a wise move to disappoint him. Remember, I was chosen to go with you and make sure you went through with your task.”
“You might be a talented thief, Solaris,” the Doctor frowned up at her as he set coordinates to some location other then San Kloon, “but I’d like to see you try and stop me.”
“I see.” Solaris’ smirk grew wider as she reached into her waistcoat pocket and took out a glass vial filled with a blue-green liquid, swirling the contents casually.
“What’s that?” Jack watched the swirling liquid in confusion.
“Antidote.”
“For what?” The Doctor’s face darkened in foreboding.
“The poison that was mixed with Rose's drink from the evening meal my fellow thieves gave you three last night.” Instantly, the Doctor and Jack turned to Rose in shock, while her face paled at the information.
“Give that here, Solaris,” the Doctor demanded, moving forward.
“Oh, yes. I could hand over this vial,” Solaris idly leaned back against the wall. “But you should know that this is only a small portion of the dose Rose needs to combat the poison. Karnack has the rest.”
“How could you do that?!” The Doctor was almost shouting now. “Rose needs that antidote now!”
“Do retract those veins in your temple, Doctor. Rosie Girl’s not in any immediate danger. The poison is one of Karnack’s personal favorites. It’s tasteless, odorless, unable to be detected by any science, and best of all, slow acting. She can last almost a month without the antidote. But beyond that…” Solaris smirked once again, tucking the vial of antidote back into her waistcoat pocket. “I suggest you don’t disappoint Karnack, Doctor. San Kloon, and the first artifact, is waiting. For Rose’s sake, you better not swan off.” For a long moment, the Doctor stood firm, glaring at Solaris in visible intense aversion. But then, he reset the coordinates for San Kloon.
“Rose?” He finally looked over at his friend with an expression meant to reassure her that he’d get the antidote for her in time. “It would be a good idea for you to visit the wardrobe, since we no longer have a choice. You can show Jack and Solaris how to get there.”
“Yeah, okay,” Rose nodded, leading the others to the TARDIS’ wardrobe, doing her best to appear unaffected by the sudden knowledge of the poison inside her body.
-----
The TARDIS landed a short time later on San Kloon, moments before Jack, Rose, and Solaris returned from the wardrobe. The girls were dressed in identical ankle length linen dresses. However, while Rose had also used eyeliner around her eyes to give them the characteristic Egyptian look, braided her hair, and had put on a fringed necklace of turquoise and lapis lazuli stones, Solaris had stopped after the dress, and had still refused to take off the eye visor. As for Jack, he was in a linen loincloth with an armband around his bicep.
“Well, we best get out there and find this artifact,” the Doctor decided. Now that he knew what was at stake, he wanted to find Karnack’s items as soon as possible.
“What about you?” Jack spoke up. “Aren’t you changing to blend in?”
“Oh, he never does,” Rose explained.
“Okay, let me get this straight,” Solaris grimaced. “I have to change into this linen…frock, and he’s not even going to try to blend in?!” The thief let out an irritated grunt and pushed past the Doctor to head out the door, muttering darkly, with words like ‘hypocrite’ and ‘git’ quite audible. The Doctor frowned after her.
“There’s one more reason I want to get these artifacts and bring them to Karnack in exchange for the antidote for Rose,” he spoke. “The sooner we get back to Baniru, the sooner we can drop Solaris.”
“You really don’t like her, do you?” Jack smirked.
“She’s one of the thieves who poisoned Rose. Do you need to ask?” As the Doctor made his way to the doors, Jack glanced over at Rose.
“Well, at least it gets his mind off his grudge on you,” she pointed out.
“Rose, you never said,” Jack’s voice lowered slightly, showing his concern. “Are you okay? I mean, knowing about the poison? ”
“I’m not worried. Not really,” Rose insisted. “The Doctor won’t let the poison take hold. He’ll get the artifacts to trade for the antidote in time. I know he will.”
-----
When Solaris had said San Kloon was famous for its glass pyramids, she had never mentioned how incredible they were. The pyramids, arranged within acute angles of each other, stood towering above everything. The rays from the large sun reflected off the smooth surfaces, casting bright colors of ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue over everything.
“Oh, this place is amazing!” Rose exclaimed, taking everything in. “If Mum could see this, she’d understand why I still travel with you, Doctor.”
“Tough. She’s not comin’ with us,” the Doctor quickly stepped on any ideas that might have been forming in her mind. “I’ve told you I don’t do families.”
“So, where do we start finding this artifact?” Jack wondered. “It would be easier if we knew which one is here.”
“Knife, belt, amulet or coronet,” Solaris agreed. “Would be a lot easier for me to find it if I knew which one it was.”
“In that case, we only have one option,” the Doctor announced. “Better ask the King of San Kloon.”
“There’s a king?” Rose blinked.
“Can’t have an Egyptian-style city without a supreme ruler, can you?” The Doctor joked. “Now, if I remember correctly, the Palace of San Kloon should be perfectly bordered by the Glass Pyramids. Let’s go see if I do remember correctly, shall we?”
-----
As the Doctor predicted, a solid stone wall bordered the King’s Palace, right in between the three pyramids, so the colored light shining down on it gave the appearance of a rainbow. Two imposing guards stood at the palace gates. They both resembled humans in a way, but one had the head of a hawk and the other of a crocodile. Rose had to force herself not to stare. She remembered seeing statues like them during a school field trip to the museum’s Egyptian exhibit, and suddenly wished she’d paid more attention to the tour guide.
“Hold,” the Hawk-headed Guard stopped the four travelers. “State your business.”
“We’re here to see the King of San Kloon,” the Doctor announced.
“What’s the purpose of your visit to King Hoaraph?” The Crocodile-headed Guard demanded.
“My companions and I are searching for something, and wish to ask if King Hoaraph would be willing to point us in the right direction.” The two guards remained silent, looking the four visitors up and down appraisingly. Finally, the Hawk-headed Guard spoke up.
“Wait here.” With that, the Hawk-headed Guard entered the palace. It was nearly ten minutes before he returned. “You will come with me,” the Hawk-headed Guard ordered once again. “And you will state your case respectfully and frankly.”
The group proceeded to follow the Hawk-headed Guard into the palace, while the Crocodile-headed Guard remained at his post. The Throne Room itself was a massive room constructed of intricately pained walls and pillars. Two dozen guards, all from the same alien species as the Hawk-headed Guard and Crocodile-headed Guard, stood surrounding King Hoaraph, seated in a golden throne, with two scarlet-skinned aliens, clearly the King’s slaves, crouched at his feet. King Hoaraph stared haughtily at the four companions as they knelt in front of him as a sign of respect.
“You will state your business in San Kloon,” King Hoaraph demanded. “But only your emissary will be allowed to speak.”
“King Hoaraph, esteemed ruler of San Kloon,” the Doctor began, making an effort to get on the ruler’s good side. “My companions and I have come to your planet in search of a certain artifact. It is vital that we find this artifact, as it is a matter of life or death for my friend, Rose.”
“And what exactly are you searching for?” King Hoaraph wanted to know.
“It could be any one of four items, King Hoaraph. A knife, a belt, an amulet, or a coronet.”
“You will find there are many items in San Kloon that could fall under those categories,” King Hoaraph pointed out. “Without further information, your searching would be unfruitful.”
“I understand, King Hoaraph. But each artifact has an identical arrangement of jewels. One large jewel, surrounded by eight smaller ones.” With these words, the King’s demeanor suddenly shifted, and he stood to full height.
“You will leave my presence immediately!” King Hoaraph bellowed. “I do not welcome thieves wishing to rob my palace!”
“I don’t understand,” the Doctor tried to reason. “We’re not here to steal anything.”
“Lies! There is no other reason you would know of such things! What else have you stolen from San Kloon?”
“We haven’t stolen anything!” Rose insisted, forgetting the decorum they had to keep up as a handful of guards dragged them all to their feet.
“Is that so?” The Hawk-headed Guard, who had been standing near Solaris, sneered. “Then perhaps you could explain why your friend sees fit to keep this hidden beneath her linen garb?” In a quick movement, the Hawk-headed Guard snatched a golden medallion off of Solaris’ neck, and brought it to King Hoaraph to study.
“Give it back!” Solaris cried, struggling to break loose from the guards that were restraining her.
“Exactly who have you stolen this medallion from, female?” King Hoaraph questioned, holding the medallion up, displaying the design emblazoned on it. The symbol was a motif of a fancy-looking figure eight, and Rose instantly remembered seeing it in Solaris’ trinket box, where she had stored the sonic screwdriver two days back. As Rose looked at the medallion, she heard the Doctor’s sharp intake of breath. Glancing over, she was surprised to see him staring at the medallion, looking like he’d just seen a ghost, and a real one. Not just one of the Gelth.
“I ask you again!” King Hoaraph’s voice had risen in volume. “Who have you stolen this medallion from?”
“I didn’t steal it!” Solaris replied adamantly. “It was a gift. From a friend. It’s my most prized possession; please return it to me.” King Hoaraph denied the request by clutching the medallion into his hand.
“Guards, take them to the dungeons,” he ordered. “Keep them there until they’re ready to talk.”