The Lost Series (A Doctor Who fanfiction) - 'Episodes '1-4

'Episode' 4 -Europa- part 10

Click-CLAK-AK-AK-AK-AK

The eerie call echoed in the darkness that all but consumed the three spectators.

The sound of something  big squeezing through a rocky crevice drew closer, as another silhouette emerged.

The giant Cave Spider stopped it's steady quiet scratching at the moss it was feeding on. It's huge mass jolting back from the wall but it wasn't the spider that three pairs of eyes were now glued too but the round podgy mass of the new creature that had propelled itself with impressive momentum towards it. 

As if realising the danger it was in, the spider lunged forward, defending itself with it's long spindly legs. The podgy predator used it's mass and what looked like claws extending from the bottom of it's fat legs to overpower the Spider.

The fight was over quickly, a rippling mass stood atop it's prey, a round mouth plunging like a sucker into the back of the fallen Spider. 

"What the hell is that thing?" West's chocked whisper broke the tense silence. 

"Looks like a Tardigrade." replied the Doctor 

"A what?" 

"Tardigrade-Water Bear- Moss Pig...Space Bear...They're one of Natures greatest survivors. Found everywhere from the Himalayas to the Deep Sea...They can survive practically anywhere, Tropical rain forests to Antarctic conditions. Resilient isn't the word-they can survive  near absolute zero to boiling temperatures that would simply melt a human brain, they can go without food for 30 years-they can dry out their bodies, re-hydrate and live again.  In 2007, the humble Tardigrade became the first known animal to survive in the hard vacuum of Outer Space. Fascinating little animals-or they are meant to be, little, that is. Tiny-Microscopic....but this...THIS, oooh...."

"Enough of the science lesson!" snapped West. "This one is clearly not tiny and it's eating giant spiders!"

"Marie?" The Doctor touched Dr Asper on the arm breaking her from her transfixed stare. 

"It was one of those things-one of things....killed Marcus." 

"Weeelll...this isn't THAT impossible....all things considered...Tardigrades, though mostly phytophagus and bacteriophy-"

"SPEAK ENGLISH!" West shook the Doctor by the shoulders

"Plant eaters, bacteria feeders..."The Doctor corrected himself "They've been known to be carnivorous-sometimes even cannibals." 

"Freaking Fantastic!" groaned West "Go on, say what a marvel it is of 'Mother Nature'! go on- how lucky we are to be eaten alive by these 'incredible creatures!'" 

"No-one is saying that." The Doctor replied calmly. "Though, this IS incredible...I don't think it's Mother Nature that put these creatures here & like I said before-it's best we leave, as quickly as we can."

Grimacing with every step and too afraid to let go of her arm, Kitty trudged after Finn, once again in the oppressive heat and darkness of the endless caves and tunnels of the distant moon. 

Base  camp had to be somewhere and so did The Doctor and The Tardis ....and pain relief. 

Kitty had given up on trying to spot anything she could use as a sling as they made their way onward in silence. Finn clutching his precious case of Platinum to his chest and both of them pausing at every slight sound or ominous low rumble from above. 

The thirst she was feeling was making her sick & the suit- she felt she could barely stand it much longer. This was not anything like she had imagined adventures in space to be like....not with the Doctor. She should be looking for her parents-HER family-not hopelessly wandering around some Moon. The Doctor had better make this up to her.