13 Novella 3

Boots

You sit on the deck of the Tardis with a book on your lap trying to read, which is difficult because The Doctor and Missy are arguing both internally and externally.

You really didn't like that close contact was now rarely a necessity.

You sigh and lean back, giving up on the novel. It was a slow book anyway. You'd have to visit the library soon. The thought cheered you up.

There is a sudden bang that makes you jump and some cursing from Missy.

"No no no! You're supposed to plug the spark into the chameleon circuit on the auto setting!" She says with a heavy eye roll.

"I think I know my own ship." The Doctor replies with a scoff.

"Well you'd think, wouldn't you." Missy mutters back and you can't help but laugh at them. Both turn and stare at you bemusedly.

"Sorry, but we're finding this very funny." You giggle.

"We?" Inquires Missy and you indicate the machine who whirres her agreement. You giggle again.

"Well I'm glad you think it's funny, but we're actually working here." Sulks The Doctor and this time Yaz giggles too.

"Sorry babe, but does it really take two Time Ladies to change a plug?" She giggles and you snort in agreement.

They mutter incoherently and prod a little more until a successful whir is heard from the bowels of the ship.

"Finally! Are you done making a mess? Are we going somewhere?" Asks Jenny, entering the console room.

"Sure, who's turn?" Asks The Doctor excitably, all sulking gone.

"Afreyaii? Haven't been there in a while" suggests Jenny with a shrug when no one answers.

The Doctor prods a couple of buttons and with a huge shake you take off.

You lean heavily against a pillar as do Yaz and Jenny, but of course the Time Ladies have impeccable balance.

The Tardis seems to sense this and takes it as a personal challenge, creating a sudden lurch that sends both of them stumbling, but not quite to the floor.

You giggle and pat her while she responds in her own way. You land with both of them scowling, and walk behind Jenny out of the door.

A whooshing above makes you look up and start at the flying ships in the sky; some futuristic version of the car.

You are down a by street but can see human-looking people in the distance.

You barely make it one step before the entire ground shakes and you are all sent sprawling to the floor.

You land heavily on your knees and grunt in pain.

"(Y/n) are you alright?!" Says Jenny helping you to your feet, sounding worried.

Your heart rate picks up when she touches you.

You nod and she lets go, considerately giving you space and brushing her hands on her combat jeans.

The Doctor is helping Yaz to her feet and you catch Missy's eye. She winks and you smile.

"Ok what was that?" Says Jenny rounding on The Doctor.

"I've no idea" she says suspiciously. "Let's find out!" She adds, bursting with sudden charisma. The energy she must use up astounds you.

"Come on, let's do some investigating."

"Great, we're bloody mystery incorporated." Mutters Missy and you snort unattractively.

"Nice" she says and you blush, embarrassed. She was really quite intimidating.

You reach the end of your by street and look out into the main one. There is a lack of roads, which you suppose is due to the air transport, but still people rush around, eyes darting as though they are going to be hit any second.

One woman runs into Yaz and knocks her right over. She doesn't even stop.

"Are you alright my love?" Says The Doctor anxiously and the girl nods, wincing at her grazed palms.

"Why's everyone in such a rush?" She asks to various shrugs.

"Excuse me" calls Jenny to one women. She looks frightened and picks up the pace. "Strange" comments Jenny and you agree.

"Excuse me, madam?!" Calls Jenny to someone else, an elderly lady who actually stops, albeit ruefully.

"What are you doing? Get inside my dears, they'll have the pretty ones like you lot!" She says before going to walk away.

"I'm sorry but who will?" Calls The Doctor and she pauses, turning with an inquisitive expression.

"You mean you really don't know?"

"We're foreign" says Missy with a hint of sarcasm.

"These are strange times, people are being taken right off the streets in broad daylight! Gone without a trace" she says looking terrified. You feel really quite sorry for her.

"I'm sorry, but who's talking them?" Asks The Doctor worriedly but the lady she shakes her head.

"That's the thing! No one knows! Best to stay indoors or go about your business in groups, stay safe now, get inside before dark, that's all we can do."

"Thank you" says The Doctor sincerely, and the lady smiles before turning and trotting off, looking in all directions with alarmed swivels of her head.

The Doctor turns to you all with a determined expression.

"I need to know who or what is taking these people and why" she mutters darkly.

"Of course you do" says Missy looking towards the heavens.

"Yes, and I have a plan."

"Go on" says Jenny suspiciously and you have a nasty feeling you know what's coming.

"3...2...1" mumbles Missy so only you can hear.

"We're going to get captured!" She exclaims almost sounding excited.

"And there it is" mutters Missy quietly, eyes still up.

You giggle and she smiles before looking at The Doctor.

"You want us to deliberately get captured and potentially killed? I'm in" she says in a voice heavy with sarcasm.

Even Yaz smiles slightly.

"If they wanted people dead, they could have massacred them on the street." She says seriously.

"Thats optimistic" you say, feeling she was taking a light view on things. She smirks before turning to the group at large.

"I reckon this has got something to do with the earthquake, did you spot her shoes by any chance?" She asks politely and no one reacts except Missy.

"Brown boots?" She asks.

"Exactly, with a nice dress and coat. She knew what footwear to put on this morning." She finishes and you make the link just as Jenny does.

"You think these earthquakes are a regular occurrence?"

"This planet isn't known for its tectonics, at least not in this time zone." She confirms and you all stand listening.

"Ok, well what are we waiting for? Let's all walk head first and willingly into danger shall we?" Says Missy, and thats exactly what you do.