The Impossible Year

42

Jones glanced down at Violet's hand, a sigh escaped his lips, he couldn't believe she was wearing it and the Doctor hadn't notice. They were leaning against the rail watching as the Doctor took Martha's phone, hovering the sonic over it.

''Right, there we go. Universal roaming. Never have to worry about a signal again,'' The Doctor explained handing the mobile back to her.

''No way. This is too mad. You're telling me I can phone anyone, anywhere in space and time on my mobile?'' Martha exclaimed, clearly not believing what her was telling her.

''As long as you know the area code. Frequent flier's privilege. Go on, try it,'' But before Martha could even think about the Tardis let out a shudder which caused all four of them to stumble slightly.

''Distress signal. Locking on. Might be a bit of...'' he was cut off from the sentence when he along with everyone else was knocked to the floor as the Tardis shuddered again, but with a lot more force. ''Turbulence. Sorry. Come on, let's take a look,'' The Doctor spoke quickly after checking that everything was ok.

The moment Jones stepped out of the Tardis he was overwhelmed by the amount of heat that slammed into his body. Violet was just as winded by the sudden burst of heat, as she gripped the Tardis door as it caused a dizzy spell to come over her.

''Distress signal transmitted,'' Violet faintly heard the computer bleep out and she focused on the sound until the dizziness was subdued.

'Whoa, now that is hot,'' The Doctor exclaimed unaware of the effect it was having on his fellow travellers.

''Automated distress signal transmitted,'' Again Violet focused on the voice, although Jones made sure to keep an eye on her encase she did collapse from the heat.

''Whuff, it's like a sauna in here,'' Martha remarked looking over at the Doctor, as a thin layer of sweat had already formed on her forehead.

''Venting systems. Working at full pelt, trying to cool down. Wherever it is we are. Well, if you can't stand the heat,'' The Doctor trailed off as he went to open a big bulky metal door that had Area 30 engraved on it, to reveal two men and a woman coming through it.

''Oi, you lot!'' The younger of the two men shouted pointing at the four of them.

''Get out of there!'' The women shouted and Violet frowned.

''Seal that door, now!'' The first man spoke again.

''How about a please and we might, so stop shouting at us,'' Jones snapped, pausing before them saying ,''Please.''

''Who are you? What are you doing on my ship?'' The woman asked, her voice had lowered in volume, but not by much.

''Are you police?'' The man asked glancing at all of them in turn.

''Why would we be police?'' The Doctor frowned as the question struck him as odd.

''We got your distress signal,'' Martha chipped in.

''If this is a ship, why can't I hear any engines?'' The Doctor questioned and as he did Violet strained her ears. He was right there were no engines.

''It went dead four minutes ago,'' The Woman replied her hands going to rest on her hips, as she stared intently at them.

''So maybe we should stop chatting and get to Engineering. Captain,'' The second man, who had come in with the other two spoke his first words.

''Secure closure active,'' The computer spoke.

''What?'' The woman questioned and it was at that moment, Violet realised something wasn't right. She had gotten over her dizzy spell, so she was now aware of what was happening around her.

''The ship's gone mad.'' The second man spoke shaking his head slightly.

''Who activated secure closure? I nearly got locked in to area twenty seven,'' A younger woman had run into the room slamming the door shut behind her, closing the travellers off from the Tardis, ''who are you?'' She questioned looking over at the group.

''He's the Doctor and I'm Martha. Hello.''

''Violet and this is Commander Michael Jones.''

''Hi,'' Jones added giving a small wave towards the four now stood in front of them.

''Impact projection forty two minutes twenty seven seconds,'' Jones's eyes widened he did not like the sound of that.

''We'll get out of this. I promise,'' Jones liked the sound of that even less. His dislike was only added too when he moved to look out the same porthole he had seen Martha turn to.

''Doctor,'' Martha whispered not believing what she was seeing.

''Forty two minutes until what?'' The Doctor asked ignoring Martha's call for him.

''Doctor! Look,'' Martha urged him to look out the porthole.

''Vi you might want to see this,'' Jones added turning towards the Time Lady.

She sighed and walked over to the window, Jones moved out the way to allow her to see out the small hole. Her eyes immediately widened at what she saw, she had to blink a few times to see if she was being tricked, but unfortunately she wasn't.

''Forty two minutes until we crash into the sun.''