The Many Doctors - Chapter 32: Twelve Searches (Part 3)

[fardell24]

The Doctor looked at the Drahvin. She looked similar to all other Drahvins he had faced off against.

“How did you get in here?” she asked.

“Why are you on Earth?” he asked.

She just repeated her question, with her gun pointed at him for emphasis.

“I'm just that clever, note that for future reference.”

“I suppose,” the Drahvin said. She raised the gun.at the Doctor. “Now, leave!”

“No!”

The Drahvin fired, but the Doctor dodged the beam. Mandy, Vincent and Libby hit the floor. The Doctor nodded at Laranna, who took his place.

“Don't think that that outfit would protect you, Earth girl!” the Drahvin said.

Laranna just reached inside her cloak and took out a small object. Or rather it looked small, until she shook it lightly while holding in a button. With a hiss of compressed air, the baton extended into a half sized quarterstaff.

Laranna had angled it so that the expansion process knocked the energy pistol out of the Drahvin's hands.

“Ah!” the Drahvin said. “So it's melee is it? I can do that!” She grabbed a staff that lay at hand and leapt at Laranna.

Laranna was ready from the get go. Once the energy pistol was out of the Drahvin's hand, she adopted a defensive stance, and was ready for her blows. She parried the first blow, and the blow after that. The confined space of the cockpit was a disadvantage (she had to avoid hitting the Doctor and the other companions), but it was a disadvantage for the Drahvin also.


While the Drahvin was busy with Laranna, the Doctor turned to the control panel. “There has to be a way to reverse the drive,” he whispered.

“Huh?” Mandy asked.

“This seems to be a prototype time vessel. It'll be rather easy to make it return to it's point of origin...” the Doctor said.

“OK, do it,” Libby said, looking at the battle. The Drahvin was getting angrier.


Laranna knew that the Drahvin was getting angrier, but she was quite predictable. She, herself, had yet to tire.
A minute later, the Doctor found the commands. “Hey, Drahvin! You're about to leave,” the Doctor said. He used the sonic to initiate the return command, and then to summon the TARDIS.

Laranna heard the sonic's TARDIS summon sound and backed up against the other three companions.

As the TARDIS arrival became audible, the Doctor asked. “I usually like knowing my opponents names, what's your's?”

The Drahvin stared him the in eyes. “Kellira. Remember it!” She said just before the TARDIS fully materialised around the Doctor and the companions.

“Oh, I will, Kellira, Drahvin,” the Doctor said, as he reversed the TARDIS's course back to the field outside Leadworth.

Kellira seethed as the TARDIS dematerialised again. She looked at the control panel.

Course reversed

“No!”

The Saucer vanished from the Leadworth park.


The TARDIS was back in the field. Once the ship had landed again, Laranna had recompacted her staff. “Quite useful,” Libby commented. “Did you make it?”

Laranna nodded.

“You'd have to show me,” she said. She turned to the Doctor. “Could I join you in your journey through time and space?”

“Envious of Amy are you?” the Doctor asked.

“No!” Libby said, a little snidly. She paused. “OK, maybe a little.”

“Sure, I'll just move the TARDIS to the house...”


Libby stepped out of the TARDIS into her backyard. She turned around. “Amy's right about it being larger on the inside.”


Less than ten minutes later, the TARDIS left Leadworth again.



6 July 1938
Berlin, Germany
The TARDIS materialised near the Fuhrer's office. The Doctor and Laranna exited the ship. (Mandy and Vincent were giving Libby a tour of the ship. “OK, This is where we ended up after we left Leadworth, and where Mels regenerated into River Song,” the Doctor said.
Laranna nodded.

“We're going to do what we have been doing, but you have to stick with me. You don't want to be captured by the Nazis...”

Laranna shook her head.


An hour later, the duo returned to the TARDIS, Felicia hadn't been seen there. “Maybe I could track town that Tessalecta...” the Doctor pondered.

Laranna shrugged as she entered the TARDIS.



7 September 2011
Manchester, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
It was many days, possibly a week since Libby Pond had joined the Doctor and his companions when the TARDIS materialised at a council estate.

The Doctor and Mandy exited the TARDIS. “So, the child turned out to be non-human?” she asked.

“Yes...” He began to explain the situation to her.


They returned to the TARDIS fifteen minutes later. Alex, Claire and George hadn't seen Felicia...



20 April 2011
Colchester, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The TARDIS materialised at Craig, Sophie and Alfie's (or Stormageddon's) place. It well over a week, possibly two since Libby had joined them in their travels.

The Doctor and Vincent exited the TARDIS. Craig was there. “Where's the Doctor?” he asked.

“I am the Doctor,” the Doctor answered.

“It's that regeneration thing isn't it?” he asked.

“Yes, but how...”

“It's on the internet,” Craig answered, interuppting the Doctor.

“Anyhow, Vincent.”

Vincent handed the Doctor a picture of Felicia, in his style. “I'm wondering if this girl was here, when I was here last?”

Craig looked a the picture. “Never met her,” he said. He realised where he had seen something similar. “You already asked me.”

“Yes, but I'm double checking,” the Doctor said.

“Why did you send that girl. She didn't say a thing, just showed those cards.”

The Doctor pondered his response. “Laranna... I haven't heard her speak either,” the Doctor said.

“Nor I,” Vincent said.

“Weird,” Craig said with a shake of his head.

“We better keep searching,” the Doctor said.

“Wait, why did you send her?”

“It would be confusing to encounter me out of order,” the Doctor answered as he turned back to the TARDIS.

“Maybe,” Craig said.



27 December 1941
Madge Arwell saw the Police Box and approached it. The Spaceman had come back!

She was disappointed when the door opened and a young red-haired woman stepped out. “Madge Arwell?” she asked.

“You're not the Spaceman,” Madge said.

“No, but I have been travelling with him,” the young woman said. She had a Scottish accent.

“Oh,” Madge said.

The Scottish lass held up a picture of another young woman. “Did you happen to see this woman a couple of days ago in that forest?”

“No, I have never seen her in my life.”

The lass's face dropped. “I see, I tell him that,” she said. She turned back to the Police Box.

“Why didn't he ask me myself?”

“He wanted me to ask you,” she said as she re-entered the Police Box.


The Doctor looked at Libby as she re-entered the TARDIS. “Madge hasn't seen her,” she said.

The Doctor set the TARDIS in motion once again. “On we go...”




8 July 1334 BC
Akhetaten, Egypt
The TARDIS materialised in the palace.

Laranna and Mandy exited the ship. “Right, the Doctor said that he took Queen Nefertiti less than an hour ago. We have to find some officials,” Mandy said.

Laranna nodded.


Another two hours later, they returned to the TARDIS. Felicia hadn't been seen there either.



8 July 2367
Indian Space Agency, Bangalore, India
Indira was surprised when the TARDIS materialised in her office.

The Doctor, Laranna and Vincent exited the ship.

“You've regenerated,” Indira said.

“Yes, it has been a while, hundreds of years in fact. But that is not why I am here,” the Doctor said.

“So, why are you here?”

“Did you see this young woman with the younger Doctor when you called him in to deal with that large ship?” Vincent asked as he handed over a picture of Felicia.

Indira looked at the picture. “I didn't.” She turned to the Doctor. “Wouldn't you know?”

“Timey Wimey. It's rather complicated,” the Doctor said.



b<>8 July 1902
Masaai Mara, British East Africa
John Riddell and Nefertiti heard the sound of the TARDIS.

“What has happened now?” Riddel asked.

“Does something need to happen for him to come back?” Nefertiti asked.


The Doctor, Laranna and Libby exited the TARDIS. “What is this?” Riddell asked.

“When he's near death, he changes face,” Libby said.

“Is that true?” Nefertiti asked, as confused as her companion.

“Yes,” the Doctor said.

“So why have you returned?” Riddell asked.

Laranna handed Nefertiti a picture of Felicia.

“Have you seen that girl?” Libby asked.

They both looked at the picture. “No,” Riddell said.

“Not here, nor in Egypt before I left.”

“What about on the spaceship?” the Doctor asked.

“Besides, you, us, Brian, Rory and Amy, there was only that dispicable trader and his robots,” Nefertiti answered.

“Thanks,” the Doctor said.

“Why are you looking for her?” Riddell asked.

“She usually travels with my next self. Then she's started to travel backwards to earlier versions of the TARDIS,” the Doctor answered.

“Good luck,” Riddell said.

“Thanks,” the Doctor said.



11 July 1872
Mercy, Nevada, United States of America
The TARDIS materialised on the edge of the town. It was many days, possibly a week since they had left Riddell and Nefertiti.

Libby and Laranna exited the TARDIS. “I just have to do this parallel search and drop Vincent home, then I'll be back in an hour,” the Doctor said.

Laranna nodded.

“Sure, Doctor,” Libby said. They had both said their goodbyes to Vincent just before the TARDIS landed.

The Doctor closed the door and the TARDIS dematerialised.


TARDIS (Enroute: Mercy, Nevada – Indeterminate)
Once the TARDIS bad left Mercy behind, Mandy asked, “So why did we have to leave Libby and Laranna there?”

“Because, we're going to be looking for Amy and Rory. I don't want Libby, especially Libby at her current age, knowing her sister's fate,” the Doctor answered.

“Right,” Vincent said.
“And now, the ride is going to get bumpier. Temporal distortions prevent the TARDIS from landing in New York City during their lifetime, from the mid thirties, until the mid eighties. I'm going to try to land as close to the city as I can, as early as I can,” the Doctor said.

“Temporal distortions?” Mandy asked.

“You don't want to know the reason, just that they exist. You'll want to grab a hold of something!”

Both Mandy and Vincent took a hold of the console, and nodded.

“We are now in Pennsylvania in the 20's! And now!” The TARDIS started, juddering as the ship struggled against the temporal distortions.

“1930, 1931, 1932. That was when my tenth self and Martha defeated the Cult of Skaro!” The TARDIS moved closer. “Yes!”
However, the later it got, the rougther the distortions got. “1933! 1934! 1935! Almost there! 1936!” The Doctor was then knocked away from the console as the distortions threw the TARDIS aside. The Doctor regained the console. “Westchester! No! Closer! 1937!” The TARDIS noises grew more juddery...

“1938! We're drifting to the east. Connecticut! 1939! Come on old girl, earlier!” He attempted to make the TARDIS turn around, but was knocked away from the controls.

Mandy gained the controls. “1940!” she called out. “1941! 1942! 1943! 1944! 1945!”

“Thanks,” the Doctor said. “Just after the War...” He looked at the location. “Martha's Vinyard? No old girl, try at least Nantucket!” He tried to turn the ship to the west, but instead, she materialised...



11 October 1945
Chillmark, Martha's Vinyard, Massachusetts, United States of America
The Doctor and his companions emerged from the TARDIS coughing, the console room had filled with smoke. “It'll take her time to recover. Enough time for you to get to New York and back,” the Doctor said.

“You're not coming with us?” Vincent asked.

“You'll be able to find Amy and Rory by yourselves,” the Doctor said as he handed Mandy the psychic paper.

“I hope so,” Vincent said.

“What would you be doing?” Mandy asked.

“Repairs. The temporal distortions were rough on her,” the Doctor answered. “There may be some local mysteries I can solve.”

“Sure,” Mandy said.

“We'll need supplies,” Vincent said.

“You'll have to wait an hour, then you can gather them,” the Doctor said.


An hour and twenty minutes later, Mandy and Vincent said farewell to the Doctor and started on their journey to New York City.



19 October 1945
Manhattan, New York, New York
It had taken some time, but Mandy and Vincent (mainly Vincent, given that Mandy was still young), had gained the address of the Williams'. (Why the Doctor called them 'the Ponds' Mandy wasn't sure.)

It was early in the evening when Vincent knocked on the door.


Amy and Rory had finished dinner when they heard the knock.
“Who could that be?” Amy asked.

“I'll check,” Rory said.


A few seconds later... “Amy...”


Amy was surprised. River had come and gone many times since they had arrived back in '36, but she hadn't seen any other temporal travellers. For a couple to come now...

“Are you actually Vincent van Gogh?” Rory asked once the visitors were sitting in the sitting room with them.

“Yes,” Vincent answered.

“I remember,” Amy said to Mandy, “You were there, on Starship UK, with the space whale.”

“Yes,” Mandy said.

“Good to meet you again, Vincent,” Amy said.

“You're welcome,” Vincent said with a smile.

“Space whale?” Rory asked. He had many things in his travels with the Doctor, but not that.

“Yes,” Amy said.

“Why are you here?” Rory asked.

“And where is the Doctor?” Amy asked. “That is, presuming that it was him, not River Song, who brought you here.”

“In Massachusetts. That's where we left him, anyway,” Mandy answered.
“That was as close as he could get?” Rory asked.

“Yes,” Vincent answered. “This is why we came,” he continued, handing over a picture.

“Who is this?” Rory asked.

“Her name, is Felicia Lovell. The Doctor wants to find her,” Mandy responded.


In a flash, Amy remembered...


The TARDIS had returned, and instead of the Doctor, a lady clad in some sort of intricate cloak had come out.

“Where's the Raggedy Man?”

The strangely clad woman pointed to the box.

“He's inside?”

The woman nodded. She produced a picture of a young woman.

“Who is this?”

The woman pointed to the box again.

She wasn't sure what to make of the woman. She hadn't said a word. “The Raggedy man wants something?” she asked.

The woman nodded. She pointed to the picture.

“Oh? I don't know who that is. Does he want me to know who she is?”

The woman pointed to the box again.

“Raggedy Man wants to know where she is?”

The woman nodded.

“Right...”

The woman waved goodbye, turned and went back to the box.


“Amy?” Rory asked.

“The TARDIS appeared, and a strange voiceless woman came out and showed me the picture. I eventually got that I was supposed to look for the person in the picture. She then re-boarded the ship. I never heard a sound out of her, nor saw her face. I don't even know if she's human.”

“Laranna,” Mandy said.
“What?” Amy asked.

“That's her name, Laranna,” Mandy explained.

“Any,how I kept an eye out for the girl in the picture, ever since. I haven't seen her.”

“Wait, you know the person Amy described?” Rory asked.

“Not well,” Vincent admitted.

“She normally travels with the Doctor, we started travelling with him after he began to look for Felicia,” Mandy explained.

“Ah!” Rory stated.

“And if you're wondering, no, we haven't heard her speak or have seen her face either,” Mandy said.

“What now? You're going back to the Doctor in Massachusetts?” Amy asked.

“Yes,” Vincent said.

“Wait, you can stay overnight, if you want,” Rory invited.

“Sure!” Vincent said.



11 July 1872
Mercy, Nevada, United States of America
Laranna and Libby returned to where the TARDIS had dropped them off an hour before. The TARDIS then materialised, and Mandy opened the door.

“So, was she there?” the Doctor asked, as they approached the console.

Laranna shook her head.

“No one has seen her, not even the Gunslinger,” Libby said.

“This isn't working! We need another method of attack,” the Doctor said as he laid in a new course.

“Sure,” Mandy said.

“Where are we going?” Libby asked.

The Doctor set the TARDIS in motion. “Trenzalore.”