This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Enjoy! Cause of the Imagination Part 1 - Christine D. Soto A thistle bush glowed eerily. The air surrounding it hummed quietly. The forest waited silently. It was unusually cool for October, but Aliana decided to take her 10 mile weekend hike regardless. Work seemed to not want to end all week. More than anything Ali wanted to be as far away as possible from the treatment rooms and exercise equipment. Pulling her black denim field jacket more snugly about her body, she made her way along the forest path. Hum. "And what are you my little friend," she asked the silver glow as she squatted down to examine it. The glow brightened. The humming intensified. Curiosity overrode caution. Ali reached out and took hold of the object. It was an elliptical shaped cylinder of metal, warm to the touch. As she turned it over in her hand, the hum became a screech; and she was enveloped in a blinding silver flash. The flash faded, leaving Ali to fall out of a plastic cubicle and onto a black catwalk. Not a second after, a panel closed down on the cubicle. She sat up dizzily and threw the cylinder away, terrified of what else it might do. Finally, she stood and h eld onto the catwalk rail for support. Many levels ran parallel across a deep black chasm. At either end of her level, were entrances to two brightly-lit corridors. "Oh, Toto, I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore", she said pulling her coat tightly around her more out of fear than cold. If only she could click her heels three times. Suddenly, from one of the corridors, she heard an explosion. There was running and yelling, followed by more explosions. A moment later, a tall man with a mop of curly brown hair appeared in the entrance. He skidded to a halt and ducked in just as a la ser beam hit where he had been second before. The man yelled as he ran towards her. She started to back away, but froze when she saw a huge salt shaker-like object chasing and firing the laser at him. The man dodged the laser easily. "Well don't just stand there!" he said grabbing her hand. "What?" Ali could not believe this was really happening. "Don't argue", came a terse reply, "just run!" ... To be cont'd... This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Cause of the Imagination Part 2 - Christine D. Soto "Don't argue", came a terse reply, "just run!" Ali was pulled by the man along the catwalk, away from the Salt-shaker. "Halt!" it screeched as it fired its weapon. "Halt or you will be exterminated!" It seemed to have gotten its recording stuck, to her, as it screamed its terrifying message repeatedly. She was jerked through the doorway. A laser bolt barely missed her head. She yelped out partially in fear of her life, and the pain she felt in her shoulder from the man jerking her arm. He led her at breakneck speed down the corridor, with it still giving chase. As soon as they turned a corner, he stopped and pulled Ali into a hatch. A cool hand clamped over her mouth in the darkness. Moments later, the shaker glided by, continuing its chase. Not long after, more of them passed. Ali stopped breathing when they returned and stopped just outside the hatch. "The trail ends here. Search all of the rooms," one of them toned monotonously. They began to approach the hatch she and the man were hiding in. "Emergency! Emergency!" one began to screech. "Fire in section 12 Alpha. We are required to assist with control. The prisoners will be located and captured after the fire is exterminated." The shakers rapidly left the area. Eventually the hand dropped from her mouth. She tried to pull away, but he had a firm grip on her arm. "Not so fast", he whispered before peering out of the hatch. "We're safe for the moment." He hoped the Brigadier would forgive the use of his tie clasp to short out the Dalek's charging conduit in section 12 Alpha. He let go of her, and she stepped out of the hatch glaring at him. The man wore a long burgundy coat, with a ridiculously long scarf. His bulgy blue eyes stared back in a friendly manner. "What do you mean safe?" She asked loudly. "Shh!" the man hissed coming towards Ali. She backed away. "I haven't been safe since the moment I touched that cylinder!" she continued at the same volume angrily. Without warning, the man grabbed her and pulled her back into the hatch, covering her mouth again. The shakers passed by again, but they did not stop. Eventually, they were gone. "If you don't keep it down, we shall be found and most likely killed. Understand?" he whispered into her ear. She nodded and was released. "Who are you?" Ali asked in a quieter voice. "Well I'm the Doctor. Who are you?" He smiled. "Aliana Lang. Everyone calls me Ali though." "Tell me, Ali. Would you like to get out of here?" The Doctor began to move away quickly, not waiting for a response. "I don't even know where here is", she called after him. He was not going to wait, Ali thought running after him. She didn't know if she could trust him, but he had to be better than the Salt shakers. Forget Oz, she thought as she almost jogged next to his brisk walk, she had gone through the Looking Glass. Eventually the Doctor's pace slowed down enough for her to walk briskly. When she tried to strike up a conversation with him, he hushed her and pointed up to the ceiling. She figured out the corridors were monitored and saved her questions for later. The pair walked in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Finally he le d her into a cuddle-sac. He pulled out a small silver pencil-like device and pointed it at what resembled an electronic door lock. "DO NOT MOVE!" The shaker's sudden screech made Ali's heart skip a few beats. "Ali, no matter what, stay close to me," the Doctor hissed in her ear. "Turn around!" it screeched. They turned around to face the shaker. "You will move away from the Doctor," it ordered pointing its weapon at her. Ali began to move, but was held back by the Doctor. "No matter what," he hissed. "I wish you would make up your mind with moving and not moving. But then again, I guess decisions are beyond you," he mocked loudly. "Silence!" it screamed. "Move away or you will bee exterminated! Move! Move!" She froze in terror. "Not today I think," the Doctor yelled over the shriek as he pulled her backwards. She lost her balance. Screaming, she fell into blackness. ... To be continued... This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Cause of the Imagination Part 3 - Christine D. Soto She lost her balance. Screaming, she fell into blackness. Thud! Ali landed on a cold hard ground, wondering what she had done to deserve this nightmare. "Are you alright?" the Doctor asked in a muffled voice as he rolled off of her. "No!" she responded angrily. "I am not alright!" She liked having some control over what happened to her, but right now she felt like a rip tide had taken her into hell. "Did you get hurt?" he asked with concern. He placed a hand on Ali's shoulder to comfort her. "No! Just leave me alone!" She pushed off his hand and ran into the cold night before he could stop her. "Why do you girls always pull these stunts at the worst moments?" the Doctor asked himself as he stood up and ran after her. It was hard, even for the Doctor, to see the desert terrain at night. He picked his way carefully, as he called after Ali. She, of course, did not respond; and he could no longer make out her movements. Oh how the Castellan would hear about it when all was said and done he thought to himself. He continued peering through the dark, trying to walk as quietly as possible on the sand. About an hour had gone into the Doctor's search, and the only thing he found was a set of house keys. "Well at least you are on the right track, Doctor." He pocketed them. She would need them when he returned her home, providing he found her before she froze. Ali ran until she was exhausted. She stopped at a collection of large boulders and huddled down between them. For the first time she took notice of her surroundings, as she hugged her knees to keep warm. Although only stars lit sky, she could see an eerie gray hue on the dismal rocky terrain. As she felt the cold, sandy dirt by her feet, she looked up at the sky again. She did not recognize any of the constellations or even sees a familiar planet. She was wondered for the thousandth time why she was here. She was no longer angry, or even frightened; she was exhausted. In the far distance, she heard the Doctor calling her, but she was not ready to face him yet. Ali nudged further between the boulders . Suddenly, a low gurgle sounded. She froze, not even daring to breathe. All was silent again, and remained that way for a bit. She sighed heavily, relaxing. "Great. Now my imagination is playing tricks on me," she said to the air. The wind picked up and blew coldly in her face, as if trying to speak. Whatever warning it could have given was not to be heard. Ali shifted to get up. It was time to find the Doctor. The gurgle sounded again. This time it came from directly above her. She looked up to see two glowing ice-green eyes glaring hungrily back. Ali's own violet eyes grew wide in terror. Screaming, she tried to get up. A sharp pain shot down her right arm, as she leaned forward. Her arm was trapped in the boulders. The two eyes suddenly disappeared from the top of the boulder and reappeared a few feet away from her. In the starlight, she could see a large four-legged creature glaring at her as it gurgled loudly. It took a slow step closer. Ali screamed again as she tried to back away. The pain in her arm increased. The creature roared. It was ready to spring this time. ... To be continued... This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Cause of the Imagination Part 4 - Christine D. Soto The creature roared. It was ready to spring this time. It froze suddenly and fell silent. It began to growl and whine, before turning tail and running away. Ali's head drooped. She closed her eyes exhausted from her most recent encounter with terror since she had arrived. Warm tears tracked down her face. "Ali," the Doctor said quietly walking quickly up to her. He pocketed his dog whistle. By the time he reached her, she was taking deep sobbing breaths. Gently he touched her. She buried her face in his coat and scarf, unwittingly pulling her right arm free of the boulders. "It's all over now, Ali. The creature is gone." He took hold of her arms to help her stand. The pain that registered proved to be beyond the last thing she could handle. She passed out. The Doctor swept her up in his arms and carried her to his TARDIS. The Doctor placed Ali in one of his numerous old companions' bedrooms. Carefully he removed her jacket to examine her injured arm, and laid her down. Ali was sleeping naturally. After smoothing her shoulder length copper hair from her face, the Doctor carefully picked up her right arm. A long shallow gash, no longer bleed ing, was just above the elbow. "Well, that's not too bad, anyway," he said quietly. He pushed her torn white blouse sleeve up further, before leaving to get the first aid kit. Upon returning, the Doctor stood and looked down at her. She was a young woman in her mid-twenties, on the taller range of average earth female height. None of that mattered to the Daleks, however. To them only her mind was necessary. Making the wound was clean; he bandaged it and covered her with a blanket. "Pleasant dreams." Ali awoke, lying in darkness, on something soft. When she stretched, a pain shot through her arm; bringing back memories of the salt-shakers, the strange man, and the green-eyed creature. Slowly she sat up and lights came on to a gentle level. Her favo rite blouse was torn and a clear plastic-like bandage covered a gash. "Oh good job, Ali," she said to herself, "next time just take your arm off." Carefully she got out of bed, and the lights grew brighter. White circles set in white walls illuminated the room. A brass and glass vanity with a white, wicker stool stood across the room. Two doors were at opposite ends of the room. "I'll take door number two," she said going to the door on her left. Not quite knowing what to expect, she was almost surprised that the door opened. She stepped into a corridor with the same style walls as her room. Hearing a mechanical hum emanating from her right, Ali decided to follow it. Where there were machines, there were people, usually. Shortly she found a door where the hum sounded the strongest. Carefully, she opened it and looked in to see a large room, styled the same way. In the center stood a machine that resembled a Smurf house with its chimney sticking straight up the top. How ever, this house's roof was covered in controls. "Glad to see you are finally awake! How do you feel?" At the first word Ali spun around, closing the door, to face the Doctor. He was in a burgundy print waistcoat that covered a white buccaneer styled shirt, burgundy knickers, and burgundy boots. He was smiling and blue eyes twinkled with amusement. "I feel fine... thank you," she replied startled and distracted. "Where am I?" "You are in my TARDIS." The Doctor answered in a matter of fact tone. He could never decide if he liked explaining this part, or hated it. "TARDIS," she repeated, lost at the word. "Yes, it's my ship," he continued deciding not to overwhelm the poor woman too soon. "Ship," she repeated the next word. She felt like she was having one of THOSE dreams where she could not follow anything happening. "How's your arm?" he decided to try a more simple line of thinking, half-wondering if Ali was actually sleepwalking. "Arm?" She looked at him lost. This was not a dream. "Yes... Are you by any chance related to a parrot? You repeat everything I say." "Parrot... Repeat everything you say..." she mumbled before realizing what she was saying. "No, I am not related to a parrot! And my arm still feels sore thank you." She answered indignantly. The Doctor smiled innocently. "It should heal up in a few days. You are lucky it was not very deep," he said looking at her wound through the bandage. "Thank you for taking care of my injury. I guess I'm pretty lucky you are a doctor. Now, I have some questions for you-" "I know, but I won't be able to answer them until later. You will be safe in the TARDIS, while I'm gone." The Doctor moved past Ali into the room with the Smurf house. "You're leaving?" She followed. "Where are you going?" "I have some unfinished business with the Daleks." "Are those salt-shaker things the Daleks?" She asked while he pulled his coat off the hatstand. "Yes," came a succinct reply. "They brought me here?" "Yes." He began winding his incredibly long scarf around his neck. "Why?" "I'll explain later." "I'm coming with you." Ali stepped up to him. "WE, aren't going anywhere," he said, "I, am going to the Dalek's Headquarters alone." "You can't go alone!" She argued staring at him hard. She hated to be left behind. "Can't go alone!?" came a haughty response. "My dear Ali, I've been going alone for quite a while now and I'm still alive. You go off on your own for a couple of hours and are almost eaten!" "Well then if you don't want me setting off on my own, you'd better let me go with you! I was the one kidnapped you know!" Ali stood at her full height, bringing her up to the Doctor's nose. He looked at her sternly, and was silent. Why were they all so difficult? And she thinks SHE was kidnapped here! Without another word, he left through the inner door. While he was gone, Ali took the opportunity to look at the controls. They looked nothing like she had ever seen. She couldn't even read the writing. Soon the Doctor returned carrying a long black w ool coat. "Doctor, is this were you operate the TARDIS?" she asked curiously. "Yes. This is the console room." He handed her the coat before operating a large red-knobbed lever. "Right! We're going out!" ... To be continued... This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Cause of the Imagination Part 5 - Christine D. Soto "Right! We're going out!" Ali was standing outside a British Police Box. "Where's the rest of your ship?" she asked after making a complete circle around the TARDIS. "It's all in here," the Doctor explained as he locked the door. "Impossible!" "No, it's transdimensional." He smiled. How many times had he, will he answer that one? "Come on. I want to be inside the Daleks Headquarters before dark." Ali looked up at the sky. It was an ochre hue, with a large sun making its cosmic race to the horizon. Looking back for the Doctor, she found him already moving off. "Wait for me!" She ran after him. She did not want to run into that creature again. "How long before night?" "About two hours." "How long until we reach the Dalek's Headquarters?" "About two hours." "Good!" "Really?" The Doctor was a little worried. He hoped Ali would not run off again. He did not have time to go after her. "Now you can tell me exactly WHAT is going on." "Fair enough. Where would you like to start?" "How about where 'here' is?" "You are on the planet Skaro. Homeworld of the Daleks." Ali did not know if his answer confirmed whether she was dreaming or going insane. The cold, white desert looked alien enough; but... "Ali, do you remember the cylinder you found?" the Doctor asked noticing she had become lost in thought. "Yes," she replied startled out of her revelry. "Cylinders, identical to that one, were dispatched to many different planets where the populace has successfully defended against Dalek invasion. These cylinders transport anyone who finds them to Skaro. Once here, their brainwave patterns are studied a nd stored into the Dalek's Battle-computer for use in future invasions. The interesting bit is that the person has to be willing to do it, or the link-up doesn't work." "What happens to the people?" She didn't care about the scientific details. "The ones that survive the process are put into slave labor on Dalek ships." They walked on in silence. Ali wished she was dreaming, but the pinch she gave on her arm told otherwise. "Were you brought here by the Daleks as well?" she asked breaking the silence. "No. I was sent here to stop them", the Doctor answered remembering the "emergency call" he received from the Castellan. The Timelords would never even have become involved if it weren't for one of the High Council finding one of those wretched cylinder s. And he wasn't even gracious enough to stay and help stop the Daleks from continuing to abduct people. Well the Daleks won't be getting anyone else after today. "Are you from outer space?" Ali blurted it out before she could stop. The Doctor smiled amused as he paid attention to his companion again. "Well that depends on the way you look at things, but I guess from your point of view, yes I do as a matter of fact!" Earthlings. "I'm sorry that was a stupid question," she apologized, relieved he wasn't offended. "You're still young, you'll learn." He placed his arm around her shoulders. "Doctor, can you get me home?" "Yes, when we have finished here." "And what exactly are we finishing?" "Well let's just say the Daleks won't be having anymore donors for their Battle-computer." A while later, they arrived at a large concrete complex that matched the desert in color. "This is huge!" Ali exclaimed. "Not compared to what's underground. This way," he said pointing. "Stay close and do exactly what I say." The Doctor guided her around the building. They stopped at a black metal door. "What's that?" She watched him pull out the pen-like device again. "Sonic screwdriver", he replied as the door opened. The inside looked bright, compared to the outside. The sun dropped its black, sequined veil of night, as it passed beyond the horizon. He entered the complex after a careful look for Dalek patrols. "Keep close", he whispered to her, after she too had entered. They skimmed the edges of the corridors quickly, stopping only at the intersections. Suddenly, a Dalek appeared from the intersection they just crossed. "HALT!" "Come on, Ali. Run!" He ran, pulling her after him. The Dalek chased after them, calling other Daleks for assistance. The Doctor was turning a lot of corners and Ali found it hard to keep up. She was almost sprinting after a man twice her age. When he turned another corner, she was only halfway there. By the time she reached it, the entrance was sealed. The Dalek was still giving chase. Ali ran down the other way of the intersection. She turned enough corners so that she no longer heard the Dalek. Leaning against the wall, she stopped gasping for air. Everything remained silent. Who said silence was golden, she thought to herself. She somehow felt more comfortable hearing the Dalek screeching behind her. Now she had now idea where it, or the Doctor for that matter, was. Mostly recovered, she continued on. The silence did not last long. A huge, black creature jumped into her path. Its horny dog-like head had two green eyes and a large muzzle, which was filled with three rows of sharp jagged teeth. The creature roared. Ali screamed as she turned to run the opposite direction. The mass ive creature only trotted after her. It was herding her where its master wanted. Later it would be allowed to hunt. Ali ran, not even stopping to glance back. The creature's roars told her all she needed to know for its whereabouts. She turned a corner and, before she could stop, she had run onto air. The creature roared. ...To be continued... This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Cause of the Imagination Part 6 - Christine D. Soto The creature roared. Ali's scream stopped in her throat. The air seemed to support her as she descended slowly. Above she saw the light from the entrance she had fallen through. Below, another light grew. Was it the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, or was it the train she wondered. Soon enough she found herself on the ground again, standing in the entrance to a room filled with computers. "Welcome" a voice rasped from out of Ali's view. Determined not to show fear, she stepped into the room. A panel covered its entrance. She found a horrible sight at a corner computer desk. His lower body was concealed by a black version of the lower portion of the Daleks. The rest she could see was either clothed in a shiny black material, or pale and shriveled like a prune. Wires connected a glowing object, in the middle of his wizened forehead to the Dalek portion. Skin covered sockets, replacing his eyes. "Who are you?" she managed to ask. She had seen burn victims during her Physical Therapy course work, but none had ever looked half as bad. "I am Davros. Creator of the Daleks." He approached her. "And your friend," he added sweetly. Ali already knew not to trust him, but she would play along with him until she could escape. "Why have you brought me here?" "We need your help," came a simple reply. Too simple. "For what?" "We need your brain to link with our computer and give it something a non-humanoid cannot." "Really? What do I have that is so important to you?" Ali backed away from Davros. "Your adaptiveness, intuition, and imagination." His tone was growing more inpatient. For the short time the human had been with the Doctor, she had been significantly effected. "I see. And can I go home when I'm done?" "Of course," he cajoled. "And do I have a choice if I want to do it or not?" "Of course." "Let me think about it and I'll let you know," she stalled. Where was the Doctor? "I grow tired of this prattle!" He pushed a button on his control panel. A moment later a Dalek entered. The Doctor, who was followed by another Dalek, followed it. At the end of the line stalked the creature. "Ali," he said relieved to see her. He had vowed never to run too far ahead of his companions again. She tried to go to him, but a Dalek blocked her path. The creature went to Davros and sat at his side. It watched everyone. "If you do not choose to link up to the computer, the Doctor will be tortured to death." "You started without me," the Doctor said feigning sadness. "On the contrary, Doctor, we begin now." "I think it's ending," Ali muttered. "No, Ali, more like the beginning of the end." The Doctor smiled confidently. "For you, Doctor, that is true." He turned to Ali. "If you do not link up to the computer, the Doctor will be killed instantly. If you obey, -" "YOU WILL LET HIM GO!" Ali bellowed. "You see I already know why you haven't already linked me up to your stupid computer. I have to do it willingly or the link doesn't work properly. So you see, I hold the final card. Let the Doctor go, and I will a gree." The room was silent except for the soft growls of the creature. The Doctor stared somewhat surprised at the tone she had taken with Davros. Not many people could do that. She drew in deep breaths, calming down. The Doctor had saved her life, and now it was her turn. Davros already knew what he would tell the human, but how to prevent the Doctor from further interfering was another issue. "I agree with your demand," he said humbly. "However, the Doctor will remain until you are linked." "Ali, don't do it!" The Doctor said urgently. The Daleks aimed their weapons at him. He wished he could take her place, but he had tried that earlier. "I have to," was all she could say. She mumbled it again to herself, unable to look at the Doctor. "Most excellent. Prepare the link." A black metal chair and silver helmet, which resembled an upside-down fishbowl, emerged from a wall panel. One of the Daleks escorted Ali to the chair, while the other continued to guard the Doctor. She sat in the chair and the helmet lowered, completel y covering her head. A moment later, a sharp pain flooded her brain and, as she was surrounded by swirling colors, she heard a shrill scream. The pain subsided. The scream was replaced by a multitude of voices speaking rhythmically. The colors shone brightly and she began to understand the voices. "Now, Doctor, I believe we have some unfinished business," Davros stated in a tone that sort of made the Doctor's stomach turn. "Tell me, Davros, is that creature there your creation?" The Doctor needed to stall. He had a plan; but he didn't quite know what, yet. And when one needed to stall a megalo-maniac, one discussed the megalo-maniac's creations. "Yes, it is my most recent hybrid of cybernetics and Dalek genetics." Davros seemed proud of his monster. "And what's its name? Rin-tin-tin?" "Your levity will be your downfall, Doctor. I call it the Traumens Noctulus." "What's its purpose?" "It is a hunter probe capable of reaching areas my Daleks cannot. I see everything via the optic network, and am always in direct communication with it. It obeys only me." "I see," the Doctor began slowly. "You sent that hideous thing after us last night." "To follow you to your TARDIS. After you are gone, Doctor, I will learn its secrets and spread the Empire of the Daleks throughout time!" His voice had started to take on the monotonous quality typical of the Daleks. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that." The Doctor pulled out his dog whistle and blew on it. Nothing happened. He blew harder. Davros laughed. "Your toy will not save you, Doctor. You did not chase away my creature to rescue the human. I ordered it away." The Doctor dramatically shrugged like a mime. Without warning he lunged for the computer console he knew controlled the Dalek Hatchery. His hand paused over the batch abort button. "Send the Daleks out of the room, or I destroy the next generation," he threatened. Davros knew the Doctor was playing for time, but he did not want to lose a 100,000 Daleks with his invasion of time so close. Besides, his Daleks would not be the ones to kill the pathetic Timelord anyway. "Leave the room," he ordered. The Daleks obeyed. As soon as the door shut behind them, the Doctor shorted out its control panel. "Alright, now that we have some privacy, we are going to shut the link down." The Doctor went to the computer near Ali's chair. He began to enter commands. A light blinked on Davros' console. He smiled. "You are too late, Doctor. The transfer is complete! I shall rule throughout time! Attack!" Without hesitation, the Traumens Noctulus bounded onto the Doctor. It roared and he yelled as they crashed to the ground. He held its head at arms' length, and had an excellent view of the rows of fangs in its mouth. The creature somehow managed to twi st out of his grasp. Before he could react, its mouth closed on his arm. The sharp points tore their way into his muscles as though he was made of paper. The Doctor cried out in agony as the creature's saliva stung in the wound. "Come," Davros said in a tone any owner used to call their pet. The creature leapt from the Doctor and joined Davros in the entrance to the anti-gravity lift that had brought Ali. "By the way, Doctor, the stinging you feel is the venom of the Traumens Noctulus. It is quite lethal. And there is no antidote." ... To be cont'd... This is what I dubbed an Alternate Internet Adventure. The copyrights of everything DOCTOR WHO related belong to the BBC of course. The copyrights of Aliana Lang and story plot are mine. Cause of the Imagination Part 7 - Christine D. Soto "By the way, Doctor, the stinging you feel is the venom of the Traumens Noctulus. It is quite lethal. And there is no antidote. Cackling triumphantly, he and the creature ascended in the lift. If Ali had seen them leave she would have remembered "The Night Before Christmas". Painfully, the Doctor sat up. He pushed up his sleeve and saw the gash in his arm. No cure. He had better use his remaining time wisely and get Ali to safety, hopefully home. He got to his feet, nursing his injured arm. The less motion, the slower th e venom would be pumped through his body. "We are the supreme beings," a few shouted. "All who resist will be exterminated!" Others added. Still others spoke of battle strategies, mathematical and scientific concepts Ali never heard or understood. Soon their concepts took her over, allowing her to understand. Ali joined in the chorus' rhythmic chant. She lived the Daleks' history and disc overed the greatest enemy to the supreme race. The Doctor. She was filled with revulsion as she thought about her time with the Doctor. The chorus felt it too. Instantly plans were made for his destruction. Thousands of combinations were carried out with the speed of the computer. Each result led to better su ccess. Ali no longer had a sense of self. She had become one of the voices. She was flying without a body through the colors. Yet she felt cold. Suddenly, the voices became urgent. Something was threatening the union. They began to transform into senseless chatter. A piercing scream erupted from the middle of the cacophony and spread throughout the chorus. A few voices began to defiantly cry out. "We are the supreme beings! Destroy the Doctor!" All but one voice faded and the colors dissolved into blackness. A single voice repeated over and over, "Exterminate! We are the supreme beings! Exterminate the Doctor!" Slowly Ali became aware of her self. The voices were silent. She was urgently, but weakly, being shaken. Her eyes acted as though a blindfold was suddenly removed. She focused on the reddening face of the Doctor and the room where she had met Davros. "Ali, wakeup," the Doctor gurgled. He stared at the door to the corridor, watching a small red point glow at one side. The Daleks were coming to reclaim their control room. If he and Ali didn't get out soon they would be killed. She realized she had him on the floor, and was strangling him with his scarf. Ali let go. Dizziness and nausea overcame her and she fell off the Doctor gasping for air. "Are you alright?" He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. His voice was raspy. Ali nodded. She had lied. Her dizziness and nausea were replaced by a nasty headache. "What happened to your arm?" She noticed the gash. "Oh, it's just a scratch," the Doctor said standing. He pulled his sleeve over it. He felt a little dizzy as he turned his eyes to the door. The dot was now a rapidly lengthening line. She got to her feet as well, and staggered into him. The room tottered around her. She closed her eyes. He leaned her against a computer console. "Rest for a few minutes while I take care of something." "What are you going to do?" "Oh give the Daleks' Battle-computer a little virus." Ali noticed the door. More then half the door showed a red glowing line. "Forget the virus, Doctor! We don't have time! The Daleks will be in here any moment!" She wondered how he could remain so calm. The Daleks would kill them when they got inside. "What? Oh yes. I'll be just be a few moments." "Doctor!" Ali took him by the arm, forgetting it was injured, and tried to pull him away. The ends of the beam met. The Doctor grunted unable to pull away. The strength had left his arm. Only two more commands and he would be done. The invasion would be stopped. The door fell in to the ground. Ali screamed. A Dalek entered the room. "Let's get out of here." The Doctor pushed her to the anti-gravity lift. Finishing the virus had just become last on his list. "HALT!" The Dalek rolled in allowing more to enter. The Doctor and Ali stepped inside the lift. "You are our prisoner! Halt!" They floated up to an open level. He stumbled out of the lift. "Watch your step," he said trying to hide his weakening body. He began to fiddle with the panel near the anti-gravity lift. Ali looked down the lift, and saw Daleks following. Suddenly they began to fall down screaming they were out of control. "Newton's third law, I believe." The Doctor peered over her shoulder. Somehow, he would have to come back and finish the virus program; otherwise no where would be safe from the Daleks. "What?" "What goes up, must come down." As if agreeing, a loud crash emanated from the bottom of the lift. The Doctor felt like his mind was being wrapped in cotton wool. He repeated the coordinates for earth over and over in his mind. He couldn't forget those now. What else was he forgetting? Ali spotted a Dalek that did not see them yet. "Come on." She tugged him by his sleeve away from the lift and the Dalek. Davros snickered as he held the key he had taken from the Doctor many years ago when he had awoken him from his 300-year dormancy. The Doctor never realized standing so close would eventually cost him so much. Davros opened the TARDIS doors. He and the creature entered into a wood paneled console room, followed by three Daleks. "How can the design be so primitive?" He looked around distastefully. "We must find the control room!" They glided through the inner door, followed by the Noctulus. The TARDIS turned out t o be just as troublesome as the Doctor, but soon Davros would have control and lead the Dalek invasion. He would begin with Gallifrey. Ali hung back a little she followed the Doctor. He hadn't just been clumsy. There was a definite change in his gait. However, now was not the time to mention it. They had been lucky to be close to the hatch they had first entered. The outside was shrouded in darkness again. The Doctor was grateful for the night. The cooler temperature would slow his metabolism, and the night would hide his weakening body. Now all he had to do was beat Davros to the TARDIS and get Ali home before the venom overtook him. He felt numbness starting in the tips of his fingers. Ali was still behind him. "Come along, Ali. Time to take you back." "Take me back where?" She came to his side. "Earth." She heard him say it, but she did not respond. For some reason, she felt mixed feelings about going home. Something told her was no longer needed there. She needed time to think, and the journey back to the TARDIS was perfect. They made it back without incident. Ali noticed the Doctor's pace had slowed quite a bit near the end. He fished the key from his pocket and opened the doors. She still could not believe the size if the inside. They entered into the bright, warm console room. He closed the doors and programmed the console. The column lit up and started its rise and fall. There was a vibration accompanied by a whining sound. "What's going on?" She was a little worried by the latter effects of the TARDIS was making. Was the Doctor noticeably declining condition effecting his ability to operate the ship? "Just dematerializing." He gave toothy grin. He would need to sit down soon. "Are you alright?" "Fit as a fiddle. Just a little tired that's all. Rescuing you from your mishaps can be quite a job. Hopefully you won't have anymore when you return home." "I wanted to discuss that with you." It was now or never. "Discuss what?" "Taking me back to Earth?" "That is your home." "I know, but -" "OH NO!" The Doctor suddenly realized what was going on. "Impossible!" He could not possibly take someone on now. Slowly he felt the numbness radiating down his legs. "Why not?" "Well," he paused, leaning against the console; "it's dangerous sometimes!" "And it wasn't dangerous here?" "Yes it was. You almost got yourself killed, twice!" "As if you weren't almost killed!" "I'm always in danger, but I know how to take care of myself." As if agreeing with her argument, a painful spasm racked his body. Gritting his teeth the Doctor sank to his knees and held onto the console. "Doctor!" She rushed to his side. "What's wrong?" "I was poisoned when Davros' creature attacked me," he said through clenched teeth. Suddenly the spasm stopped, leaving the Doctor to collapse to the floor. Ali dropped down beside him and rolled him onto his back. "Is there an antidote?" "Unfortunately not." "Are you going to die?" She felt tears welling up in her eyes. This man, a total stranger, might die because of her. "Maybe not. I could - ah -" The Doctor's body was rocked by spasms. Then he became very still; his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Doctor," she whispered. Somewhere deep inside, the Doctor heard himself called a thousand times over... The Doctor's body grew very warm. Ali kneeled by him curious. A glow began to lighten his features. Somehow his features were blurring together. She had no idea what was happening, let alone if he was still alive. The glow became so bright; she had t o close her eyes. The light remained imprinted on her retina for several seconds. Finally, she was able to open them again. Before her lay a somewhat slighter man. He had straight blonde hair and fair features. The stranger was half the age of the Doctor. His blue eyes fluttered open; revealing the only thing in common with the Doctor. He stared at her somewhat confused. "Hello?" a higher pitched voice asked. ... Not the end. Only the beginning...
If you would like to read more about Ali and the Doctor's battles with Davros then click Confounding of the Imagination