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

Chapter Six

Lucy stifled a yawn as she listened to Attendant Larkin drone on and on about the history of the city. There was only so many bland, minimalistic rooms and corridors that she could look at in one day. One thing did intrigue her though, the whole city looked so new, there were absolutely no signs of wear. In order to decrease her boredom a little Lucy decided to enquire about the history of the planet. 

"When was this city built?" 

Attendant Larkin stopped mid flow, mildly irritated at being interrupted by a young woman who'd hardly shown any interest in what he had to say so far. 

"The city was built around one hundred years ago, when the first settlers arrived from our home planet of Xeros." 

"Well all I can say is that you've looked after it well." replied Lucy with a cheeky grin that was altogether wasted on the still visibly nervous Attendant Larkin. 

"Out of interest, why did you leave your home planet?" 

Attendant Larkin looked uncomfortable but still made an attempt to answer the question. 

"Basically we had no space left, the population had increased to an unmanageable level. May I continue with the tour?" 

"Of course." 

As she followed him down yet another corridor she wondered how long the Doctor was going to be, her politeness could only last so long. Nearing the end of the corridor Attendant Larkin's pace seemed to quicken slightly as he passed a set of double doors on their right. Lucy stopped, trying to peek through the small arrow slit windows set into each door but she couldn't see anything. However, she was convinced she could hear a sound coming from the other side, the distant hum of machinery followed by a high pitched alarm.  

Sensing the lack of footsteps behind him Attendant Larkin stopped and turned around, this woman was starting to annoy him immensely, why couldn't she just pay attention?  

"There's nothing of interest in there I'm afraid, just a storeroom." 

"Thought I heard an alarm through there." said Lucy tapping on the door. 

"I'm sure everything is fine, no reason to be concerned." 

Lucy shrugged her shoulders and walked forwards catching him up. Attendant Larkin continued to walk towards the end of the corridor but then stopped hesitantly outside a door, wondering whether he should go into his office and check on things. Given the tone of the Grand Curator's voice earlier he didn't want to risk upsetting him further so he turned to face Lucy and offered her his best smile. 

"Would you excuse me for a few short moments. I just have a small job to do before we can continue." 

Attendant Larkin opened the door to his small office, taking extra care to close it behind him. He could definitely do without any of what he was about to say reaching the ears of the Time Lord. The room in which he now stood was as stark and minimalist as the rest of the city but there was more to the small rectangular glass topped table in front of him than met the eye. He reached forward tapped the front of the table and waited a few moments until a projected screen appeared at eye level above the table showing static.  

"Contact Warehouse one, priority red." 

The screen flared into life showing the face of his close colleague Attendant Jacobs looking gaunt and worried. Attendant Larkin wondered if he looked that bad, it was true that the Grand Curator's demands had increased lately. Perhaps the appearances of a Time Lord so close to such a crucial stage in their plan had unnerved him and brought forward the completion date.  

"Is there a problem Attendant Larkin?" 

"I was about to ask you the same thing. Why did I hear an alarm coming from the warehouse?" 

Attendant Jacobs coughed nervously and momentarily looked away from the screen. 

"I was sure that I'd completed the correct logical sequence this time." 

"But you didn't though did you. Wait until I'm back to carry out more tests and if you get impatient try and get him to talk but don't use excessive force he's no use to us dead." 

Attendant Larkin shuddered at the thought of the creature they had locked up a short distance away in the warehouse, the more they tortured it the more deranged it became. He tapped the front of the table, closing down the communicator screen and turned to leave his office.