Apocalypse Rising (Book Two)

Doomsday

"Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"

Rose had had enough. "DALEKS!" she shouted loudly, making them stop short. She smiled. "You're called Daleks," she smirked, sliding out of her lab coat. "I know your name. Think about it. How can I know that? A human who knows about the Daleks and the Time War. If you want to know how, then keep us alive. That's all I'm asking. Me and my . . . friends."

Mickey sent her a look when she hesitated. "Yeah, Daleks," he said. "Time War. Me, too."

"Yeah," Rajesh nodded. "And me."

"You will be necessary," the black Dalek decided before turning. "Report. What is the status of the Genesis Ark?"

Rose considered the Dalek-shaped contraption behind them. "Status, hibernation," one of the Daleks reported.

"Commence awakening," the black Dalek ordered. "The Genesis Ark must be protected above all else."

"The Daleks," Mickey hissed to her as the Daleks connected their sink plungers to the contraption. "You said they were all dead."

"Never mind that," Rose huffed. They'd thought the same thing back in Utah, too. "What the hell's a Genesis Ark?"

***

"What's that down there?" Jackie asked. "She was in that room with the sphere. What's happened to Rose?"

"I don't know," the Apocalypse admitted. "I'll find her. I brought you here, I'll get you both out, you and my sister." Jackie just looked down, swallowing. "Jackie, look at me," the Apocalypse pleased. "Look at me!" Jackie did, her eyes red, and she swallowed, seeing swirls of gold in her eyes. "I promise you. I give you my word."

Jackie swallowed and nodded. "You will talk to your central world authority and order global surrender," the CyberLeader ordered.

"Oh, do some research," Yvonne huffed. "We haven't got a central world authority!"

"You have now," the CyberLeader said. "I will speak on all global wavelengths." It swung its arm up to its chest, eyes lighting up as the Apocalypse slowly slid on her 3D glasses. "This broadcast is for humankind. Cybermen now occupy every land mass on this planet, but you need not fear. Cybermen will remove fear. Cybermen will remove sex and class and color. You will become identical. You will become like us."

Barely a few moments had passed when the Apocalypse saw smoke rising from outside. She took a look with the CyberLeader and swallowed, seeing fires breaking out over London. "I ordered surrender," the CyberLeader said.

"They're not taking instructions," the Apocalypse said angrily. "Don't you understand? You're on every street, you're in their homes, you've got their children! Of course they're going to fight!"

***

"Which of you is least important?" the black Dalek asked.

Rose blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Which of you is least important?"

"No, we don't work like that. None of us."

"Designate the least important!"

"This is my responsibility," Rajesh whispered.

"No, you don't - !" Rose tried to say.

Rajesh just pushed past her. "I, er . . . I represent the Torchwood Institute. Anything you need, you come through me. Leave these two alone."

"You will kneel," the black Dalek ordered.

"What for?"

"Kneel." Rajesh reluctantly did so, his back to the Dalek. "The Daleks need information about current Earth history."