Doctor Who?

Cruising Through Time

"We do hope you enjoy your cruise and, once again, we apologise for the delay."

"Oh for Platon's sake, when are we going to get some service around here?"

"Don't worry, Dickie dear, I'm sure the staff will sort out our meals, they're probably just a bit overworked at the moment."

"Nonsense; when I pay Four Hundred and Forty Billion credits for a cruise, I expect top service. Look, honey, sweetie, I just want us to have the best time together before I have to go off to work. I'm sorry if I'm a bit grumpy, hm?" The way-overpaid, rich traveller appealed to their lover that sat across the table, hands outstretched, pouting in the face.

In complete contrast to the two very-in-love pair sat, at the next table, a lone person. Dressed in very business-like attire (black shoes, trousers and blazer with a white shirt) they sat less relaxed than most of the other passengers on that deck. They weren't agitated, just bored. Boredom is an obvious emotion, though most often confuse it with another, like sadness or anger, placidity. However this person was just plain bored. Nothing outside interested them, nor anything inside the sleek vessel they were all cruising through space in. Their chin was slumped in their palm, their elbow on the table, as their gaze flicked about, looking for something, anything, to happen. A couple of asteroids bounced off the magnetic hull. They glanced a different direction. A family ordered their meals at a table for the evening. A rich family. The person looked another way. A pair looking lovingly at each other, in 'love'. The suited person glanced at their own ringed finger, and grimaced. It was only habit that kept them putting it on. They looked out of the window again. The darkness of space. A distant system. A far off freighter. And suddenly- The blues and reds of the Time Vortex.

"What?!" The whole ship shuddered, as its shielding was battered with artron energy and time winds tried to breach the hull. Our suited friend suddenly looked excited, their boredom finally broken. Soon to be replaced with fear, however, as a call was announced over the ship's intercom.

"Everybody get down to the floor! This is no joke. Do as we say and you will not be hurt. The captain and crew are hostage, you are all hostage. Do not worry. We will fly this ship safely. We do not want to hurt any of you. We are all victims. We will be freed! We will meet with the Prime Candidates of the Galactic senate and discuss terms on your release. Glory to the people!" The intercom shut off. Then the talking began.

Firstly the rich lover "What the devil is going on? What did they mean 'we will be freed'? Is anyone going to explain what's going on?!"

Then the family "What's going on mummy?"

"Everything is fine dear, just stay quiet and still."

The walls were bending outwards at the tension inside the room. No one moved, just glanced at each other. Their heads all snapped around at the sound of the doors opening, a hushing noise made both by the hydraulic system and of the various family members calming each other down. Into the room a figure marched in, in an almost military fashion, but more casual. You could sort of match their body print to that of a humanoid, but behind them a massive tail swung out, looking almost dinosaur-like. They wore black leather and a helmet. A green hand protruded from a black leather arm and lifted the visor of the helmet. Two sharp yellow eyes shown out above a pointed snout, the skin on the face like scaled leather, almost blending into their clothing, however piercing green instead of black. A gun was clutched inside the tiny claws, wanting to escape and not cause harm.

There were about fifteen people in the room at that moment. Mostly staff, with just the previously mentioned passengers. Most of the others on the ship had been on deck at the time of entering the time vortex, watching the fireworks, and well... "Oh my- are they...?"