The Thirteenth Doctor: Wired Hearts Chapter 4 By Thomas Beech

The Doctor and Amara were constricted in a line, heading towards the Ivory construction of the Wired Hearts HQ. As they marched on, they saw the extent of the operation, fields of pure white tents, medical equipment were carted around and passed between heavily guarded medics. Again the Cybermen were used a silent guards, looming over the busy, terrified staff.

“Y’know, if ya spent most of the company budget on the people here rather than this fancy bit o’ kit, you’d actually make a difference!” The Doctor’s quip results in a quick grip against her shoulder.

“Don’t try and be funny.” Amara snapped, “they put dogs down regardless of if it’s well behaved.” The Doctor nods, shifting her eyes forward as they enter the building...

***

It was a gallery of ‘accomplishments’ canvas images of previous campaigns lined the walls. All with the same fake expression of kindness. This charity had sunk its teeth into every corner of the globe, who or what was funding this organisation?

The pair were marched through corridors of glass which overlooked the complex internal operations. Rooms filled with computers, gardens, even laboratories where it seemed that nature itself was the test. Great, looming clouds filled a room, then suddenly unleashed rain into a concentrated test area.

The Doctor looked on, “A make your own weather kit?” The Doctor grinned, “I have to admit, that’s quite brilliant!” The Doctor was shoved ahead through a pair of double, glossy wooden doors leading into a ‘stylish’ boardroom. A long, polished table stretched in the middle of the room with leather-bound swivel chairs at all positions.

“This is a solid two on my ‘table scale’... It can’t even hold a candle to Arthur’s round one...” The Doctor sighs, drumming her fingers on the table. “What now then...Hmm?”

“You Will Wait Here...” One of the Cybermen stated while the other gripped Amara’s shoulders suddenly, beginning to lead her away.

“Oi! What’d do you think you’re doing?!” The Doctor roars, stepping up to them. But she is met with empty eyes…

“She Must Be Questioned. You Are Not To Interfere.” They exit in single file, their movements stiff as they leave. Amara nods to the Doctor as the door closes.

The Doctor leans back against a wall, a glad smile on her face. Her hands feel a smooth panel of glass, “LED screen...” The Doctor says, turning to buzz it with the sonic. The screen flickers and glitches, revealing a map of the facility. The Doctor rolls her eyes.

“I miss ‘you are here’ signs.” The doors behind her creak open, her examination is interrupted making the Doctor hastily sonic the screen back to normality. The boardroom doors swing open, a horde of Cybermen march in.

“Who’s this then?” The Doctor says. In response, The silver giants split aside, revealing an all too familiar face... Standing proudly with a stern expression. A man the Doctor had long forgotten until now...

“No... You can’t be... You’re” the Doctor gasped.

“John Lumic. Spokesperson for Wired Hearts. What are you doing interrupting our operations?” Lumic spoke sternly with a hint of curiosity.

“Ah!” The Doctor plunges into her coat pocket, nervously reaching for a leather wallet. Then extends it confidently, “See, World Health Organisation. I’m the Doctor...”

“The... Doctor?” Lumic responds, his body grows cold, like it was pressed against steel... His mind became trapped in a cage, in an instant, Lumic’s body felt the icy chill of the wind before plunging into an inferno... Lumic snaps out of his tremor.

“I’m leading an investigation.” The Doctor spoke. It seems time had not passed, but for Lumic, he’d lived an entirely separate life in a millisecond...

“Investigation?” Lumic questions, approaching the pair cautiously. The Doctor steps in, closing the gap. “We’d heard reports of unstable health conditions. People going missing, corpses being found and taken away without proper care and procedure followed.” The Doctor’s response is calm, authoritative even.

“I can assure you, Doctor, our facility is well above board.” The name stung as Lumic spoke it.

“I’ll be glad to hold you to your word mr Lumic.” The Doctor sneered, “I came here with a concerned citizen of the village. Her name is Amara. She was led away, well, I ‘say’ led...” The Doctor’s eyes burned looking back at Lumic’s. “She was carted off like a trespasser. I want to be taken to her. I need her safety guaranteed.”

“We can arrange that, Doctor.” Lumic said dismissively. “We have one of your associates in our medical facility.”

“What?” The Doctor shuffled back.

“Well, we have to assume it’s your associate. We found them outside our perimeter. Covered in sand and babbling about something in the desert.”

“Never mind that.” The Doctor snapped. “Can you take me to them?”

“Of course.” Lumic said with a sly grin...