Series 1 Episode 4: Battleground

Inside of a chapel in 21st Century Manchester, Friends and family gathered to mourn the loss of Andrea Barker.

Lydia was particularly devastated. Her mother had been murdered-and she had no idea why or how. Andrea had been in hospital for six months prior to her death due to a serious illness, but one day when Lydia visited her, Andrea revealed her drink had been poisoned, and she dropped dead. UNIT were still investigating her demise, but until they found out the truth they decided it was best to say to the public that her death was related to her illness.

Lydia and her ex-boyfriend Matt were two of the many people who had came to mourn Andrea Barker. She was a much loved citizen-a kind, loving, respectful individual who had many friends in the world. Her luck may not have been too strong-but she still remained positive.

As the service began, the vicar prepared to commence the proceedings. Lydia was silently weeping through the whole service. She still could not get over the fact that her mother was dead-and would never return.

Lydia, Matt and the other guests all made their way over to a pub opposite the chapel for drinks and food in order to pay tribute to the beloved woman. They exchanged stories about their encounters with Andrea and remembered their fondest moments with her. Lydia felt better knowing that she wasn’t alone in this-but she would feel even better if she knew why Andrea had been murdered, and indeed if she and Matt were on better terms.

As Lydia began to drink another glass of vodka, screams began to echo through the pub. The visitors were alarmed by this with some desperately surveying the area to figure out where they had originated from. Suddenly, a hollow sphere materialised in the corner of the pub, with a man walking out of it: It was the Doctor.

Lydia was partly relieved but partly shocked to see the Doctor again. Why was he here? The Time Lord moved towards Lydia and gave her a hug, before shaking her hand.

“Oh is this an event?” The Doctor asked. “What’s been happening here?”

Lydia gave the Doctor a stern glance, as everyone else looked confused. “My mother died. We’re mourning her.”

This made the Doctor lean into Lydia once again, granting her another of his hugs. Everyone else was still in confusion. Lydia decided to address the issue: “This is the Doctor everyone. He’s a friend.”

“You moved on from Matt quickly.” One of the guests remarked. “I wouldn’t think he was your type.”

“No he really isn’t.” Replied Lydia. “Maybe we should go somewhere more private, Doctor?”

Lydia escorted the Doctor towards the toilets of the building, where she gave him a slap.

“You just caused a scene there, Doctor. This is my mothers funeral. I don’t need you turning up here and causing a scene.”

“I’m sorry about your mother. I hope you’re sorry about the slap” Replied the Doctor. “And did that woman just imply we were going out? No. That’s not right. Anyhow I’m sorry I turned up without notice-again. I do that quite often. This alien god thing called Exodus kidnapped me inside of this dark prison. I was trapped there for a long period of time until suddenly a portal opened. I stepped through it and I ended up finding you again. It’s funny how fate works.”

“Look I’m busy, Doctor. I’ve got a lot to sort out. Matt and the team at UNIT are trying to figure out how my mother died and the police are still investigating events with my boss. I need you to leave. This is my mothers funeral. I’ve got more important things than you and your ridiculous adventures to deal with.”

The Doctor looked angry. He did not like being talked to like this. “Fine I’ll leave then.” He stormed out of the room. When he did so, a portal, similar to the one the Doctor had arrived through, appeared inside of the toilets, with Lydia tapping the Doctor on the shoulder and showing him.

“Oh that’s odd.” The Doctor remarked. “Fate must be beckoning again.”

The portal swallowed up the room, transporting the Time Lord and his companion away. The room was left empty in their absence.

1916, Britain

The World was at war. It had been for two years now.

Soldiers gathered in the trenches in a rare moment of peace, as they discussed all that had happened. This particular group was led by General Harold Copper, who had led his troops into conquest for the last few years.

“Alright, troops.” Began Harold, “We’ve all had a long day of it as always, but we’ve got a moment to relax. We’ll be prepared as always. Corporal Thompson is on the lookout.”

Corporal George Thompson was devastated. His brother had only recently came into battle (He had only just passed the minimum age in which one could enlist), but after a serious injury Thompson’s brother was taken to the hospital and had not been seen since. George missed his brother, and wanted him back desperately. Tears began to form in George’s eyes. Private Nigel Tucker comforted him.

“Are you alright, George?,” Nigel asked, “I know your brothers gone but he’ll return. They always do.”

“Not anymore,” Replied George. “When was the last time you saw someone return from the hospital?”

Nigel did not respond. Tucker had not been in the force for too long, and struggled to adjust to life in the war. It was hard for everyone, but George struggled with life more than any of the others. He wished for the war to end so that he could escape from the never ending cycle of bloodshed and terror.

George struggled to get hold of himself, but did after a few moments. He realised his duty and returned to serve it. He noticed something coming from the distance-two figures.

“There’s something coming!” Revealed George, “There’s two people. They could be Germans!”

Harold chuckled. “How could anyone be insane enough to march through these trenches unarmed?”

The Doctor peeped over the top of the trench before waving to George. “Hiya. It’s okay we won’t do any harm. We’re very much English.”

Harold stepped closer to the edge of the trench. “Why are you here? Why have you come to us?”

The Doctor grinned. “That’s a very long story. We shouldn’t be here really. We just wandered through a portal and...well, you’d think I was insane if I went on about that.”

“We already think you’re insane.” Harold responded. “State your name and intention.”

Suddenly, an explosion surrounded the area as the Doctor and Lydia dove into the trenches. Harold and the group all grabbed their weapons as they opened fire on the Germans who were a mere few seconds away. They rapidly shot at the Germans as the opposing side did the same. Eventually, a dozen German bodies lay dead on the floor.

Harold was relieved that all of their troops had survived this. George kept avid look out, joined by Private Danny Sullivan.

Danny was a strong willed man whose ambitions were to rise up the ranks. He had only arrived partway through 1915, but had not received a good reputation from the rest of the team. He was only out for himself and not for the others.

George sighed. “I don’t need your help here, Danny.”

“I think you do, George. You’re too weak to manage this situation alone.”

The Doctor was about to intervene, but Lydia stopped him from doing so. Harold led the duo deeper into the trenches.

“You’ve kept it nice here.” Remarked the Doctor. “Though it could be nicer.”

Harold chuckled. “Who do you think you are turning up here out of the blue?”

“I don’t know but I’ve certainly got into the habit of it,” The Doctor said. “Oh yes, rude of us not to introduce ourselves. I’m the Doctor and this is Lydia.”

Lydia held her hand out but Harold did not shake it. Lydia whispered in the Doctors ear: “I need to be at my mothers funeral. It’s quite important.”

The Doctor patted her on the back. “I know. It was quite a long time ago when I was in your position but it’s difficult, I know.”

Harold led the Doctor into a nearby area where Nigel lay seated. “You’re an intruder here, Doctor,” Revealed the General, “Nigel here is going to ask you a couple of questions. And as for the girl, could you come with me please?”

Harold held Lydia by the arm and led her towards the area she had first arrived in. Danny stepped forward while George kept watch. Danny lent towards her, much to Lydia's concern.

“Fresh blood,” Danny grinned, “She’ll be perfect. Take her to the Hospital.”

Inside of the interrogation room, Nigel questioned the Doctor on his motives.

“Tell us why you are here, Doctor.”

“It’s a long story and I don’t think you’d understand. How about you tell us all about yourself.”

Nigel looked confused. “Look, I don't do this often. I mean, I’ve never done this. I’m of too low a rank-I shouldn’t be doing this, but the General is busy.”

“What’s the General doing?” The Doctor asked.

“He’s a General. He’s always doing something.”

The Doctor heard a cough coming from the room, but it did not originate from either him or Nigel. The Time Lord looked confused.

“Did you hear that?” The Doctor asked, “There was a cough but it sounded like it didn’t come from in this room.”

“It was probably one of the soldiers outside.”

“No.” The Doctor uttered, “It wasn’t from outside, it wasn’t in this room, it was from somewhere else. Where did you take Lydia?”

“That is classified information.”

“Tell me.”

Nigel was shocked. “Look, this is meant to be me interrogating you. Please could you answer my questions.”

“You haven’t really asked any yet.”

Nigel sighed. The Doctor was too much for him to handle.

Harold led Lydia towards a building which had a large sign on it labelled “Hospital”. He carried her inside. It was a bleak, grim, desolate place that looked more horrid than any hospital Lydia had been used to. A sinister looking figure approached the two of them. They were a horrifying creature: A female nurse, but wearing a mask of terror that looked as if it were in agony. They were wearing the typical garments of a 20th Century Nurse, but it was clear there was something peculiar about her. Harold dropped Lydia to the ground. The Nurse picked her up and placed her on an operating table. She grabbed an object and began to drill something inside of her skull. Lydia let out a piercing scream.

“Stay quiet,” Harold demanded. “We don’t want you upsetting anyone.”

The other patients inside of the ward arose. Their face had been covered by a white sheet. Simultaneously, the patients moved their hand towards their head and removed the sheet, revealing the decapitated remains of their previously intact human bodies. Lydia was horrified by this.

“See what you’ve done,” Harold tutted, “You’ve made them upset. That means the Nurse shall have to inflict extra pain onto you.”

“What are they?” Lydia asked.

“They’re weapons, my dear,” Harold responded. “They are the key to destroying the German army. Let me reword that. You are the key to destroying the German army.”

Inside of the Trenches, Danny and George gave each other irritated glances.

“I was devastated to hear about your brother,” Danny remarked.

“He’s just in hospital.” George responded.

“I’m so sorry, but he passed on. I’ve had something arranged anyway.”

A silhouette emerged from the distance, leading George to grab his weapon. Danny signalled him to drop the weapon. The figure moved closer. It was a humanoid figure with a white cloth placed over his face. He moved closer towards the trenches, and held his hand out towards George.

“What-What is it?” George was frightened.

“It’s your brother, George.” Danny chuckled, “Your brother’s home.”

Inside of the interrogation room, the Doctor began to tap his feet on the floor. Nigel was irritated by him at this point. It was clear that the Interrogation was over. Harold stumbled through the archway into the room.

“What’s going on here?” Asked Harold, “I don’t hear any questions being asked.”

“Yeah I know we gave up on that,” The Doctor replied, “I’m a bit bored now. Jelly babies usually keep me company but I left them in the TARDIS.” He rose from his seat, and moved towards the General. “Where’s Lydia?”

“She’ll be here to join us in a moment,” Responded Harold.

The three of them remained in silence for a moment. The Doctor decided to break this void of conversation, “Where did you take her?”

Harold laughed, “All in good time, my dear chap.”

Outside, George was confused at Danny’s statement. He realised that the body shape was indeed identical to his brothers.

George coughed. “Why is he wearing that white sheet over his face?”

“I can get him to take it off if you like”. Danny crawled up over the trench, but before he could give any instruction another figure emerged from the distance.

Danny was pleased. “Ah, and so the party is complete. If you could all follow me.”

Danny directed George and the two figures towards the Interrogation Room. Inside of said location, the Doctor, Harold and Nigel remained in the same position as before. George, Danny and the two figures arrived.

Danny smiled, before walking towards the Doctor, “I don’t believe we’ve met sir. I’m Danny.”

“And I’m the Doctor,” Grinned the Time Lord, “You’ve been blessed with the latest model.”

“Nice to meet you, Doctor.” Began Danny, “Anyhow, you may all be wondering who these two figures here are. Well, inside of our experimentation centres we have been developing a new weapon which we can use against the Germans. They have pestered us for so long, we need something that can get rid of them for good and end this war.”

The Doctor looked concerned. This didn’t sound good.

Danny continued, “We have been in the development of these weapons for quite a while now, but we think we have created something quite impressive.”

The two figures removed their masks. Beneath them were the husks of two humans once been, with hollowed out spaces in place of eyes.

Danny pointed to one-”This one is George’s brother, Little Timmy.” He moved over to the other one, “And Doctor, this is Lydia. They are our new secret weapons.”

The Doctor was startled. The emotionless husks starred at them, as the Time Lord realised he had lost another friend. Danny chuckled, but the Doctor looked around in agony.

The Lydia he knew was no longer…

Next Week: The Spirits of No Man’s Land