Out of Time

Chapter Twenty Two

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

 It was time to reveal their secret weapon, even though everyone kind of already knew about the Time Lord and his friend’s last hope of saving the Universe. Anna Bailey ran across the TARDIS control room and scooped up the shimmering time key in her hands; nervous that it was going to jump out of her hands like a jittery kitten its form constantly rearranging. There was no denying it was sentient and did not belong to anyone and yet Anna sensed that it wanted to remain with them in the TARDIS though Anna had seen how the key had corrupted the shadow armies in the museum. The Doctor had entrusted her with the time key and disposing of it because next to himself he knew she would be the least corruptible.  Anna’s heart was pounding with excoriating nerves though also excitement, everyone watching her as she stood on the threshold of the TARDIS door. Now she had to concentrate and get the right level of velocity which the Doctor had demonstrated earlier because her sporting exploits had been a few years ago… Anna peered down and saw the Doctor awaiting her, balancing somewhat alarmingly on the edge of the precipice with trusting, open hands; she glanced over at Adam who smiled giving her all the encouragement she needed.

 “Stop her she has the time key! Bring it to me!” Raynor yelled frantically every fibre of his being aching to possess this powerful weapon.

 The ancient ones dived into action heading straight towards the TARDIS but Adam Tallis was ready for them, his gun already firing at the hideous, shrieking creatures, with breath taking speed the trained soldier had already shot one, it plummeted falling hundreds of feet down.

 “Now Anna!”

 Adam shouted over his shoulder whilst firing at the remaining creature which was coming in for another attempt. It was a brief window of opportunity as Anna swung her shoulder back and released the time key like a catapult from her hand; she held her breath as it flew down, hoping the time key didn’t get caught up in the storm. It felt like an eternity, the seconds counting down, for a moment Anna thought it was going wide but with Ida’s arm supporting the Doctor around the waist, the Time Lord managed to stretch out and catch the time key. Anna’s heart began to beat again as she exhaled with relief giving the Doctor the thumbs up. At the same time Adam shot the remaining ancient one before it even had a chance to reach the Doctor, though the shot wasn’t fatal as the creature clung onto the ledge with its claws, its weight threatening to break the remaining edge of the floor and take everyone down with it. Remembering how the creatures had hurt the woman he loved, Adam switched off his compassion and fired again, this time finishing the job as the last of the ancient ones fell pitifully down the jaw dropping chasm. Anna watched the monster sinking like a stone until she could only see a tiny speck of blue and then it was swallowed up in the darkness. For a moment she had a flashback to Ava, though the sadness didn’t last for long as Anna felt Adam’s arm around her, every part of him responding and knowing instinctively what she needed. Although he was somewhat perplexed as he asked rather sweetly.

 “Anna what’s rounder’s?”

 Anna smiled at him; she would never feel alone again. Raynor collapsed onto his knees, weak with despair after watching the last of his loyal creatures destroyed and now powerless as he watched the Doctor remove his bow tie and use it to bind the time key to the arrow.

 “Doctor…You’re going to use the time key to close the untempered schism and thereby put time back in its place and fix the Universe!” Ida exclaimed with excitement, finally working out what the Doctor had been up to all this time.

 The Doctor drew back the taut bow string, sweat beading his brow with a combination of nerves and effort, like Anna he was seriously out of practice.