Torchwood (Entry Two of The Diaries of a Teenage Time Lady)

The Impossible Planet

Moving right along now, thank goodness. :) I'm so excited to get this book finished. Dreading the end a bit, too, because it's . . . well, THAT episode. *shudders*

The Time Tyler family arrives on Kroptor, and Rose isn't the only one terrified of the place.

Enjoy "The Impossible Planet!"

***

When the TARDIS suddenly stopped mid-flight, the two girls onboard looked at the surprised Doctor. "What was that?"

The Doctor checked a scanner and blinked. "We've landed."

"But she didn't want to," Anna frowned.

"Is she all right?" Rose asked in concern, hearing a grinding noise.

"Well, she landed, so that's a plus," the Doctor headed outside, looking around where they were. "I don't know what's wrong, though. She's sort of queasy. Indigestion, like she didn't want to land."

"Oh," Rose blinked. "If you think there's going to be trouble, we could always get back inside and go somewhere else."

All three of them exchanged looks before laughing at the very thought. The Doctor stopped laughing first and looked around. "I think we've landed inside a cupboard," he declared, heading for the door. "Here we go."

"Open Door 15."

The Doctor looked around. "Some sort of base. Moon base, sea base, space base. They build these things out of kits."

"Close Door 15."

"Glad we're indoors," Rose tilted her head. "Sounds like a storm out there."

The Doctor opened the next door. "Human design. You've got a thing about kits. This place was put together like a flat pack wardrobe, only bigger. And easier."

"Open Door 17."

"It looks cozy," Anna looked around what looked like a lounge area.

"Oh, it's a sanctuary base!" the Doctor realized.

"Close Door 17."

"Deep space exploration," the Doctor nodded. "We've gone way out. And listen to that, underneath," he pointed down. "Someone's drilling."

"Welcome to hell," Rose tilted her head.

"What?" Anna blinked.

"Over there," Rose pointed to the painted words.

The Doctor walked over to investigate, putting on his brainy specs to look at the vertical alien language underneath the words. "Hold on, what does that say?" He squinted. "That's weird. It won't translate."

"But I thought the TARDIS translated everything, writing as well," Rose frowned.

"She does," Anna nodded.

"Then we should see English."

"Exactly," the Doctor nodded. "If that's not working, then it means this writing is old. Very old. Impossibly old." He stood up, taking his glasses off. "We should find out who's in charge," he said, heading over and spinning the wheel for the next door. "We've gone beyond the reach of the TARDIS's knowledge. Not a good move. And if someone's lucky enough - "

"Open Door 19."

The three of them started when they found themselves face to face with aliens with tentacles for noses and mouths standing on the other side of the door, a tube going behind the tentacles and attaching to a white globe in their hands. "Oh!" the Doctor smiled. "Right, hello. Sorry. I was just saying, er . . . nice base."