Eyes of Time: The Final Line ✓

Chapter 34: Utopia

[TARDIS]

"Cardiff!" the Doctor announces with a grin as they materialize.

"Cardiff...?" Martha frowns.

"It's built on a rift in time and space," the Alchemist explains, "Like California and the San Andreas Fault—but this rift bleeds energy."

She passes the scanner, then doubles back, catching something. A grin tugs at her lips, but she hides it.

"Every now and then, we need to open the engines, soak up the energy, and use it as fuel."

"So it's a pit stop," Martha nods.

"Exactly," the Doctor agrees. "Should only take twenty seconds. The rift's been active."

"Wait a minute..." Martha frowns, piecing it together, "There was an earthquake in Cardiff a couple of years ago. Was that you?"

"Bit of trouble with the Slitheen," he winces.

"Raxacoricofallapatorians," the Alchemist adds, still watching the scanner.

The Doctor nods, "Long time ago. Lifetimes. I was a different man back then."

"I was a mean lady. Really awful," the Alchemist admits.

"Is that a fancy way of saying you were a different Regeneration?" Martha deadpans.

The Doctor rolls his eyes, "Yes."

The TARDIS whirrs to signal she's done, and the Doctor calls out, "Finito. All powered up."

But his eyes lock on something on the scanner—Jack. His expression shifts, alarmed. He throws the TARDIS into motion. Outside, Jack leaps for the ship. Sparks fly from the console.

The TARDIS lurches, rocking violently side to side as they spin out of control through the Vortex. Even the Alchemist loses her footing before they all scramble upright.

"Whoa!" Martha cries, clinging to the console, "What's that!?"

"No, Bluette, be nice!" the Alchemist shouts, running with the Doctor to the monitor, checking the readouts.

"We're accelerating into the future!" the Doctor yells, "The year one billion. Five billion. Five trillion. Fifty trillion? What? The year one hundred trillion!?"

"...That's impossible," the Alchemist breathes.

"Why?" Martha frowns, "What happens then?"

The Doctor turns, serious, "We're going to the end of the universe."

"Oh no, I'm not going to like this, am I?" the Alchemist groans, now wrestling with the TARDIS controls.

With a heavy thud, the ship lands. The Time Lords exchange a wary glance.

"...Well, we've landed," the Doctor mutters.

Martha eyes the doors, "So what's out there?"

"I don't know."

"Say that again," she grins, "That's rare."

"If he won't, I will..." the Alchemist sighs, "I don't know."

The Doctor slowly nods, "Not even the Time Lords came this far. We should leave. We should go. We should really... really... go."

"Nope, not happening!" the Alchemist shouts.

The trio share a grin—and bolt for the doors.

[Planet surface]

The planet is quiet. Silent. Desolate. The Alchemist frowns immediately, looking up. It's dark—too dark. No stars. Nothing. She sighs heavily and lowers her gaze to Jack's prone form.