The Thirteenth Doctor: Wired Hearts Chapter 2 By Thomas Beech

The Doctor stood by the TARDIS, hands on her hips. Her eyes survey the silhouette of a rusted shantytown in the blazing distance. She marvels at the cobbled-together nature of it all. Grinning at the human condition of ingenuity.

Finally, Graham exits the TARDIS, his skin is pale. “Ay’ up Graham! You look at bit pale mate, come on! Let’s walk and get some sun.” The Doctor says jovially. Graham nods nervously, shutting the police box door behind him. The pair walk ahead on a dusty trail, their feet kick sand between each step.

“Doc?” Graham asks, putting his hands up against the harsh sunlight.

“Yeah Graham?” The Doctor replies, digging her hands into her coat for sunglasses handing Graham a pair.

“Are things okay with you and Yaz? It’s just that, last time we were together... It didn’t end well. Then the next thing I knew she’s off investigating things. Y’know... Like you.”

The Doctor looks down, following her boot prints in the sand.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah! Things are okay. We had a few scrapes, it was that Halfway house. The way I handled things... Yaz disagreed with it. We had some time away. An’ I tried to have time away. Then as usual, something came up and I needed her help.”

“You needed her help?” Graham grinned, “so you two came together in the end?” Graham smiles and the Doctor smiles back as they reach the village.

***

They found the village was nearly deserted. Homes were empty, some ransacked as debris and forgotten treasures laid buried in the sands. The pair were left speechless sat the ghost of civilisation. As they wandered in, the village seemed to spring to life. Figures peered in doorways, some looked through makeshift windows. Following lines of villagers came a crowd of young children, insisting something from the Doctor and Graham.

“Alright alright!” Graham chirped warmly digging into his jacket. “How bout’ instead of coins or some rubbish, you lot get some proper food!” The children nodded and grinned excitedly, holding their hands out in anticipation.

Graham relinquished a series of plastic-wrapped cheese ‘n’ pickle sandwiches, placing each one into a child’s hand like a naff Santa Claus. “There you go, it’s all I’ve got! So don’t waste em yeah?” Graham smiles as the children ran off with their generously donated goods.

The Doctor smiles with approval, looking on at the flurry of activity. “How many did you say were killed/missing?” The Doctor asked Graham bluntly, changing the tone to a bittersweet melody.

“About five I think.” Graham muttered unsure of himself.

“Right, let’s get a shift on. We’re putting a stop to this.” The Doctor stomped determinedly.

“What’d ya reckon that is Doc?” Graham casts his hand above the Doctor’s, highlighting a glass structure that towered over them… The Doctor makes a noise akin to a surprised gasp.

“I’ve seen enough ‘oppressive architecture’ in my lifetimes to know that’s not meant to be there.”

She looks across at the marching villagers, they seem transfixed to keep walking, regardless of the scorching sand at their feet. The Doctor marches ahead, brandishing a leather wallet.

“Hiya! I’m the Doctor. Scientific Advisor for UN… The World Health Organisation…” The Doctor muttered sadly as she corrected herself. Yet the villagers made no effort to greet her. Their eyes were transfixed ahead of them. The Doctor quickly buzzes her Sonic across the crowd…

“They’re in a deep state of hypnosis. Their brain activity is… Subdued.” The Doctor tuts, feeling a shade of Déjà vu.

“Got anything Doc?” Graham asks, shuffling ahead. The Doctor nods solemnly…

“I’ve seen this before…”

A sudden stomping of metal on scorched sand interrupts the Doctor’s troubled thoughts.

She looks up suddenly, her eyes are alert. Looking across, her hearts stop. Standing at the head of the group… Was an unmistakable sight…

“You Will Follow Uzz” It’s voice sounded broken, like a malfunctioning stylophone…

The Doctor struggled to see them at the distance, but their shape, their size, and the way the ghostly silver shined off the blazing sun…

Cybermen!

The Doctor clutches her forehead. It burned… There was something more to this… She strides forward, determined to face down an old enemy… Ignoring Graham behind her…

“Doc? Where are you going? We need to look at that tower…” Graham says, turning his jacket up to shield against an oncoming sandstorm.

The Doctor stops. A realisation on her face. “You’re right. We need to speak to whoever is in charge. Those… Things… They have just made this situation much, much worse.”

“Them silver men?” Graham asks puzzled, “I saw em on an advert, they’re just charity workers in protective suits. Right?”

The Doctor gave no response as she marched towards the ominous beacon that was the tower…

“Stop!” A pained voice cried from behind them, overflowing the whipping winds. The Doctor and Graham turn in sync to face a dishevelled figure. “You don’t want to go there. That’s where they take you away!”

“That’s a strong greeting! I’m the Doctor and this is my mate Graham! Who are you?” The Doctor responds politely, trying not to stir any trouble.

“Amara, my name is Amara... Y, you’re not from the charity are you? Y, you don’t know...”

Amara says, her speech breaking down like a scratched record.

“Yeah love, you can take it from us! We don’t know nothin’ about what’s happenin’ here. We just want to help, Y’know with the murders and disappearances.” Graham interjects hoping to defuse the situation.

“If you really want to help me.” Amara said, “you must come with me... We can talk privately, then and only then I can trust you, maybe.”

The Doctor grins warmly, a piece of the puzzle has presented itself.