Doctor Who - Changes in Time and Space - Chapter 33

Chapter 33 – The 9^th Doctor

The 9^th Doctor's TARDIS, travelling through the Vortex

The Doctor was loping around the console room, when suddenly the Cloister Bell starting ringing.

“What is that?” Rose asked.

“The Cloister Bell. It signifies that the TARDIS is in danger!” the Doctor said. He looked at the scanner.

“How could it be in danger?” Rose asked.

“Any number of ways. Now let me think!” the Doctor said.

“Ok,” Rose said.

The TARDIS lurched, and then the Cloister Bell stopped ringing...

“That is impossible!” the Doctor said.

“What is impossible?” Rose asked.

“According to these readings there was another TARDIS close to this one in the vortex. And now it is insisting that there is another person here in the TARDIS,” the Doctor said.

“That would be impossible. The former, I mean,” Rose said.

“Definitely, Rose. Which means we have to go and find the person who has appeared in the TARDIS,” the Doctor said.

Rose followed the Doctor out of the console room.

Felicia stood up as she looked around. The corridors looked the same. 'Apparently the Tenth liked the Ninth's theme,' she thought.

She then could hear the Doctor and at least one other companion approaching.

“Hello, Doctor,” she said when he came into view.

“Who are you?” He demanded.

“Felicia Lovell. I normally travel with one of your future selves.”

“Really?” the Doctor asked. 'It didn't look like he believed her.

“Yes. I know that you are a Time Lord. The last of them, that is. I also know that this TARDIS is the last of its kind. Ask me anything else I will answer it,” Felicia said.

“Name my home planet,” the Doctor said.

'That's easy,' “Gallifrey.”

“That's true, but I don't trust you.”

“I have a TARDIS key.” She produced the key.

The Doctor took out the sonic screwdriver and scanned Felicia and the key that she was holding. “You are Human, and that is a TARDIS key...” he said.

“Yes...”

“Fantastic! I regenerate in the future,” he said in a dark tone.

“Isn't that obvious, but it could be of natural causes,” Felicia said, trying to cheer him up.

“Only once has it been due to natural causes.” the Doctor said.

Rose then arrived, having taken a different route after the TARDIS had changed the corridor configuration rather quickly. “Hi, I'm Rose,” she said.

“Felica, Felicia Lovell.”

“Rose Tyler.”

“So you are from Britain too?” Felicia asked.

“London, early 21^st Century,” Rose said.

“Norwich, also the early 21^st Century,” Felicia said.

“Right. But the question is why are you here? What is behind the anomaly that brought you here?” the Doctor pondered.

“Your future selves were wondering that too,” Felicia said.

“So, this wasn't the only time?” the Doctor asked.

“No, it was the fourth,” Felicia said.

“Oh, fantastic!” the Doctor said, as he realised that Felicia travelled with his final incarnation (and figuring that the Sisterhood had somehow given him an extra regeneration).

“What's wrong?” Rose asked.

“You don't need to know!” the Doctor said.

“Really?” Rose asked.

“You don't need to know,” the Doctor repeated.

“I'm not sure,” Felicia said when Rose looked at her. She was sure of what it was about, but didn't want to say anything. 'I'll let her find out from him,' she thought.

“There's plenty of room in the TARDIS anyway,” Rose said.

“Of course,” Felicia said.

They soon entered the console room. The Doctor went to the console. “A signal is drawing the TARDIS off course.”

“Seems like something to investigate,” Felicia suggested.

“Absolutely,” the Doctor said.