Doctor Who and the Eternity Cage (The Future Doctor Chronicles Part One)

Prologue

The Doctor stood on a precipice and gazed at the smoking ruins of the planet Damnos's only settlement. He heard crunching footsteps on the gravely ground behind him but didn't bother to turn, there was no need, he already knew who it was.  

"Were they all killed?" The Leader asked looking away from the city in an attempt to make eye contact with the Doctor. 

"Yes, every single one of them died in their capsules."  

The Doctor ran a hand through his long black hair and without warning span round to face the Leader. Lunging forward he gripped the lapels of his suit and pressed his face close to his. 

"Where the hell did their leader go?" 

A startled look spread across the Leader's face as he stammered a reply "He...he just disappeared from the sealed cabinet Doctor." he swallowed hard, fear in his eyes. 

"How many casualties were there in the rest of the city?" the Doctor asked, momentarily dismissing his concerns over the missing leader. 

"Thousands Doctor, thousands, it'll take us years to recover from this." 

The Doctor shook his head disapprovingly "That's what happens when you meddle with forces beyond your control." 

Rummaging in his coat pocket the Doctor produced his sonic screwdriver, pointed it to his right and pressed a button on the side. A wheezing groaning sound filled the air and gradually a flashing light appeared in mid air slowly followed by the transparent outline of a blue Police box. Within moments the box was solid and the door had swung inwards to reveal a gloomy interior. 

"Sadly I can't stand around all day, someone has to tidy up the mess you made." stated the Doctor through gritted teeth  

"But Doctor," the Leader implored "Look at what you did, don't you feel any remorse at all." 

A look of irritation flashed across the Doctor's face "I'm not accountable for your mistakes, if the population wants someone to blame then they need look no further than you." he pointed an accusing finger at the Leader. 

Without saying goodbye he ran towards the open door of his Tardis, his coat tails flapping behind him. 

The Leader turned from the dematerialising Tardis and gazed once more at the landscape of destruction, a solitary tear rolled down his cheek.