Waiting On A Rival

Chapter 18

The Doctor used his sonic screwdriver on a gate in the wire mesh fencing. Someone announced over the PA, "Ood shift eight now commencing. Repeat. Ood shift eight now commencing."

The Ood marched in straight lines and people looked after them. One fell down and the man next to it snapped his whip and said harshly, "Get up. I said get up."

"Servants? They're slaves," I scowled. Donna looked just as angry as I was.

"Last time I met the Ood, I never thought," the Doctor mused, "I never asked." His face was woeful.

I stated, "That's not like you."

"I was busy. So busy I couldn't save them. I had to let the Ood die. I reckon I owe them one," he decided.

"That looks like the boss." Donna pointed at the nearby man. I shivered, but the neither the Doctor nor Donna seemed cold. My hands pressed against my cheeks and I hissed softly at how cold they were.

He didn't notice. "Let's keep out of his way. Come on." Donna stopped by a door as the Doctor and I walked on. She put two fingers into her mouth and blew.

I smiled. "Where'd you learn to whistle?"

"West Ham, every Saturday," she answered. He smirked and unlocked the door. The room was a sort of cargo room for Ood, full of shipping containers.

"Ood export. You see? Lifts up the containers," the Doctor started, "Takes them to the rocket sheds."

"Ready to be flown out all over the three galaxies," I finished and gestured with my hand.

Donna asked, "What, you mean, these containers are full of?"

"What do you think?"

In the container, the Ood stood silently. "Oh, it stinks," she noted, "How many of them do you think there are in each one?"

"Hundred?" I guessed, "More?"

"A great big empire built on slavery," she stated.

"Well, a lot of ancient empires-"

Donna interrupted, "Don't, Spacegirl." She turned to the Ood. "I don't understand, the door is open, why don't you just run away?"

"For what reason?" It questioned.

"You could be free."

The Ood replied, "I do not understand the concept."

"What is it with that Persil ball? I mean, they're not born with it, are they?" Donna asked us, "Why do they have to be all plugged in?"

"Ood, tell me," the Doctor tried, "Does the circle mean anything to you?"

"The circle must be broken," every Ood in the crate said in unison. I rubbed my hands against my arms to retain warmth, but it was no use. I demanded, "But what is it? What is the circle?"

"The circle must be broken."

He asked, "Why?"

"So that we can sing." I've been hearing their singing all day. Before I could question it, an alarm blared. "That's our cue," The Doctor grabbed my arm and got me out of the container. I helped him too, but before I could help Donna, a guard came from behind me and grabbed my arms.

"Doctor, Celeste, get me out!" Donna shouted from the container, "Doctor, get me out of here."

He warned, "If you don't do what she says, you're really in trouble."

"Not from us, from her." I smirked.

The person glared at us, but ordered, "Unlock the container." It opened and Donna ran out. The Doctor stated, "There we go, safe and sound."