Chapter 1: Previously on Doctor Who
Chapter Text
“I had,” Jasmine began, unsure if she should tell the Doctor or not. “Sinful thoughts.” She sheepishly admitted, looking at the floor.
“I’m flattered, but,” The Doctor chuckled, guessing where it was going. He could tell by the look on Jasmine’s face that they weren’t about him. “They’re about Lily?” He offered, knowing she was out of earshot. Jasmine nodded. He sighed in relief, smiling.
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Then, as the door opened, her and Jasmine gasped. The Doctor turned himself around to see it. A corpse floated into the cargo bay, crushed almost beyond recognition. It was a mangled combination of white and grey. Jasmine looked away, preferring to see the warm glow of the console room. Lily grabbed Jasmine’s shoulder to comfort her. “You remember what to do?” Lily softly asked. Jasmine nodded, taking a deep breath and reminding herself that they would find whoever did this. To interrupt her, the opposite wall opened, a woman with dark skin floating through. Her eyes first went to the TARDIS, then to the crushed corpse, and lastly, the Doctor.
“Ah.” The Doctor greeted. “This isn’t what it looks like, I promise.” He tried to defuse.
“Nia, who are these people?” Jane questioned.
“Don’t know.” Nia admitted. “Found them in cargo hold two.” She explained. “With Matthew’s dead body close behind them.”
“They’re clearly not with the company.” Anna noted. “I mean, they don’t even have flight suits.” She pointed out.
“Henry, get on to Moonbase. Let them know we’re coming in with one less crewman, and three intruders.” Jane ordered.
“On it.” Matthew nodded, as he climbed closer to his station.
“State your names.” Jane ordered.
“The Doctor.” The Doctor introduced. The heads of the crew turned to take him in. He did match the description, but he was missing a couple of people. “Did you say Moonbase?”
“This is Captain Jane Gorton. If you’re receiving this, the Justifier has lost all external communications. I don’t have reason to believe the crew are hostile towards us, but Matthew is dead. We also have a Code Stewart. He’s in cargo hold one. We are maintaining course, and I’ll run this message on repeat. Returning to radio silence, Captain Gorton, out.”
“Looks like a sarcophagus.” Lily elaborated. “Y’know, like the Egyptian kind.”
“Can we focus on the temperature?” Jasmine asked. “It’s freezing in here.”
“Well, I can’t give you much more.” Lily muttered, her breath turning into a cold haze.
While the Doctor was talking, Lily and Jasmine floated, huddled against each other for warmth. Lily’s black and purple hair was flecked with white, her eyes flickering. Jasmine’s dress was covered in frost and ice, her long hair floating around.
“Stay awake.” Lily slurred.
“Only if you do as well.” Jasmine added, the blood in her body beginning to freeze.
“Come on, turn the heating up.” The Doctor muttered. Jasmine’s eyes began to slowly flutter closed.
“Come on, Jasmine, please.” Lily begged. “Please don’t be dead.” She requested. After a few seconds, she placed her frozen lips on Jasmine’s forehead. “Please don’t be dead, I love you.”
Jasmine opened her eyes. She was in a stone room, with a table in the middle. A familiar, if a little older, face was sat at the table. It was Harrison.
“Take a seat, please.” Harrison requested. “So, do you know why you’re here?” Harrison questioned.
“Bisexual, actually.” Lily noted.
"This is a mutiny.” Molly smiled, turning around to face Jane. “Then again, you aren’t a part of the company, Jane.” She pointed out.
“Not with your little transmission to Moonbase.” Henry added, turning around. “Then again, UNIT does love its undercover operations.” He reminded, blowing Jane’s cover wide open.
“But you’re going to help us get to Moonbase, and get our Ambassador unloaded.”
“This is Captain Jane Gorton of the Justifier.” Jane began. “Please come in, Moonbase.”
“This is Moonbase, we are receiving you, over.” The voice of a Space Traffic Controller greeted.
“Our ETA is 15 hours, we are beginning final approach.” Jane informed, Nia’s gun pointing at her. “We’re requesting landing bay thirteen, over.”
“Landing Bay Thirteen, confirmed.” The voice confirmed after a few seconds. “Anything notable, over?”
“We’ve got cargo on board. I believe it would be in the aquamarine bracket, over.” Jane answered. Nia’s gun twitched, while the Doctor slipped his screwdriver out of his sleeve and into his hand.
“Apologies, Justifier, you’re breaking up. Please confirm, your cargo loading is aquamarine bracket?” The voice requested.
“Affirmative.” Jane confirmed.
“Where did you find that sarcophagus?” He questioned.
“In an Ice Tomb.” Jane confirmed. “We’re taking back an Ice Warrior for study.”
“Now, it looks like you’re getting better.” Harrison sighed. “You know what you have to do?” Jasmine nodded silently. “Excellent. Now, go with it, and remember, tell nobody about this. Am I clear?” He questioned. Jasmine nodded again. “I need you to tell me, it’s vital to the Web of Time itself, am I clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Jasmine nodded.
A small buggy rolled up, and the panel hiding cargo hold two slid open, a buggy-mounted arm reaching up and pulling the sarcophagus out. The crew climbed out through the airlock ladder, and began making their way to the exit. Almost the entire crew. Brenner noticed that Captain Gorton wasn’t there, nor was the Doctor. As if cued by the crew reaching a certain point, the rocket exploded into an enormous fireball, scorching the ground it stood on, and sending metal pieces flying into the air.
Chapter 2: The Red War
Notes:
Here we are. Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone else, welcome to the Red War.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Moonbase control room was flooded with incoming calls, UNIT agents running around the stepped rectangular room, trying desperately to understand and control the situation. The control room was rectangular, with a large wall of screens above eleven computer desks, a member of staff behind each desk. Colonel Brenner stormed in, his grey curl swaying as he barked orders.
“Report!” He barked, standing in the middle of the room.
“There’s been an explosion in Landing Bay 13, sir.” Lieutenant Harris read from a computer bank.
“I know that, I saw it!” Brenner shouted. “How many casualties?” Harris clicked a button, and the camera showed on a large screen. The silver rocket landed, and the crew exited. A small buggy rolled up to unload the cargo, and once the cargo was beyond a point, the rocket exploded into a fireball.
“Reports are still coming in, but we’ve got reports of eight casualties.” Harris informed. “Two loading crew, the Justifier’s crew, as well as Captain Jane Gorton, and the Doctor.”
“Terribly sorry, but I think you may be wrong.” Came a voice from the hallway. In walked a man with a long black coat, a shaved head, and strong cheekbones. “Might wanna make it six casualties.” He smiled.
The Justifier crackled as it burned, smoke blurring the air in the octagonal landing bay.
“Is everyone alright?” Henry coughed, waving smoke from his face.
“I’m fine.” Molly confirmed. “Anna? Nia?” She called, as she picked herself up. Anna’s heavy breathing gave away that she was still alive. “Anna, I can hear you. Where’s,” Molly began, climbing from the rubble, before she saw an orange sleeve, lying limp as it snaked out of the rubble. Molly scrambled over, and began peeling away pieces of metal to uncover her body, mangled and carved by debris; the rocket turned to shrapnel. “Oh God.” Molly gasped, before turning around and being sick. It was then that she heard the hissing noise. “It worked.” She sighed, wiping the sick from her mouth. “It worked!” She called, spotting a trail of melted water. She crawled over the wreckage to find a heavily cracked block of ice, an Ice Lord mere moments away from thawing. Those moments passed quickly, as the block melted, water running down and ensuring the fire didn’t get too close to burn the occupant. Molly jolted as the Ice Lord’s claw twitched, before turning and tearing the ice apart like it was paper.
“The heat!” The Ice Lord roared, cowering in its block of ice. Molly bolted to a nearby wall, and pulled a red lever labelled ‘Emergency. For use in fire’ Jets of coolant roared from the walls, dropping the temperature like a sack of bricks. The Ice Lord sighed, his jagged teeth caught in a smile.
“Sir, there was an Ice Warrior aboard.” Jane explained, her arms folded behind her back. She’d changed into her Moonbase uniform aboard the TARDIS. A dark spacesuit, with metallic orange sleeves denoting her rank. Colonel Brenner had gold sleeves, denoting his rank. “If it’s exploded,”
“It’s certainly one way to defrost him.” The Doctor smiled. “Tell me, where was he found?” He asked, looking Jane in the eye.
“We found him in a tomb.” Jane answered. The Doctor’s eyes bulged like dinner plates. “The tomb of,”
“You stole an Ice Warrior?” The Doctor snapped. “Stupid apes, always doing something they shouldn’t!” He chastised.
“We took him for research purposes, he was dead.” Jane reminded.
“Was he? Or was he just trapped in that block of ice?” The Doctor wondered. Jane’s face dropped as she realised what was happening.
“Who owned that rocket?” The Doctor asked, turning to face the Colonel. “Who was it?”
“Why do you want to know?” Colonel Brenner wondered, suspicious of the Doctor. He visually matched the records, but was a bit younger-looking.
“Because I want to know who to thank for the imminent war!” The Doctor chipperly stated.
“We haven’t received a declaration.” Brenner tried to defuse.
“Yet. But you will.” The Doctor added. “Any minute now, the Earth is about to go to war.”
“How’re you holding up?” Lily asked Jasmine. The pair were in the break room at Jasmine’s request, something that Lily found somewhat strange. The room was calm and out of the way, but a set of tables were placed in a grid, and lights were placed regularly above them. Jasmine had insisted they stay by the Doctor’s side while they went through the icebox, but now she was insisting on going to the break room. Lily didn’t even know they had one, but went with her anyways.
“I’m fine.” Jasmine answered, blinking. The pair looked out the window, and stared at the pot-holed grey surface of the moon. Above them, Earth sat, an orb of blue and green.
“It’s your first time, isn’t it?” Lily wondered. “On the moon, I mean.”
“Yes, it is.” Jasmine quietly confirmed. “I take it you’ve been here before.”
“Only a couple of times.” Lily deflected. “So, why did you want to come here? We could’ve gone anywhere.” Jasmine simply looked out at the moon in silence, as she contemplated what to say. Harrison had told her not to tell anyone anything he had said, that the Web of Time relied on her keeping quiet. She decided to pretend like she hadn’t heard what Lily had said. “Alright, silent treatment.” Lily muttered. “Was it something I said?” Lily chuckled. Jasmine could feel the tension in the room, the urge to tell Lily everything.
“Do you know what the Web of Time is?” Jasmine asked, changing the topic.
“Yeah, the Doctor explained it to me.” Lily remembered. “He said it was a lot of strands, usually thin ones, that stopped the universe from falling apart. Apparently, it keeps history on track, and stops all hell from breaking loose.” She explained. “Why do you ask?” Jasmine tried to quickly come up with an excuse.
“I overheard you both talking about it.” Jasmine lied. “Back in the console room.” Lily nodded, trying to remember when that would’ve been. “Do you think the Doctor can stop it?”
“Stop what?” Lily questioned. Then, the lights in the ceiling turned red, and an alarm began to wail.
“Alert. Alert. All personnel please prepare for an emergency transmission.” An automated voice warned, before a low voice spoke, hissing.
“This is Emperor Drakziss of the Martian Empire.” It hissed. “Your humans have kidnapped a member of the Martian Nobility, as well as his belongings. You will return them in three solar cycles, or I will be forced to declare war on the planet Earth.”
“You can blame him now.” Jane muttered.
“What did I tell you?” The Doctor questioned.
“Harris, put me on with the Emperor.” Brenner ordered. Percival Harris, a man with red-brown hair and a similar uniform to the Colonel and the Captain, but metallic green sleeves and matching headphones, faltered for a second. “Do it!” Brenner snapped.
“Mind the attitude.” The Doctor interrupted. “You’re talking to a civilised race who could wipe the Earth clean within days.”
“Captain, get this civvie out of here.” Brenner ordered. Jane nodded, before turning to the Doctor.
“I’m the one man who you want in this room. I’m the closest you’re ever going to get to an expert on Martians; their culture, the planet, their history. I know them because I’ve fought them before.”
“Well, you’ll be a useful asset in the War Room.” Brenner dismissed. “Captain, get this civvie out of here!” He snapped.
“Yes, Sir.” Jane confirmed. “Come on, we’re going to the War Room.”
“I refuse.” The Doctor denied.
“Then I apologise.” Jane sighed.
“For wh,” The Doctor began, before Jane knocked him unconscious. As he slumped to the ground, and was dragged from the room, Harris was trying to contact Mars.
“Colonel, you’re on. Audio Only.” Harris informed, stepping away from his station. The Colonel sat down, and placed the headphones over his ears.
“Emperor Drakziss of the Martian Empire, this is Colonel Jacob Brenner of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce. I am the commanding officer of Moonbase One. Are you receiving us?”
“We are.” Drakziss hissed. “What have you to say about this travesty?”
“We apologise on behalf of the human race for the misunderstanding. Our people were unaware that he was alive.” Brenner apologised.
“And that justifies his theft?” Drakziss spat. “You will return him and any other stolen artefacts to Mars, or I shall be forced to take them.”
“With respect, Emperor,” Brenner began, trying to defuse the situation. “This is first contact between our peoples. Do you truly want it to be a declaration of war?”
“I wanted none of this. You brought this upon yourselves.” Drakziss argued.
“The rocket that came from Mars,” Brenner began, deciding what to say next. “Was damaged as it returned. It will take time to refuel it and load everything back on. We need time.”
“You have four sols to return what was stolen or we shall open fire.” Drakziss offered.
“Of course.” Brenner deferred. “Lieutenant Percival Harris will continue to update you on our situation. I will personally oversee the rocket’s launch.” Brenner removed the headphones, and handed them back to Harris, standing up and walking to a panel on the wall. “You’re up.”
“Greetings, Emperor. My name is Percival Harris,” Percival began, after placing the headphones back on his head.
“I want the interplanetary missiles ready for launch immediately.” Brenner hissed into the panel.
Lily and Jasmine stared at the speaker in the roof, gobsmacked by what they had just heard.
“Well, at least now I know what a Martian sounds like.” Lily joked. “You alright?” She asked, looking at Jasmine, whose face was a strange mix of calm and panic.
“I’m perfectly fine, Lily.” Jasmine soothed. Lily squinted her eyes, trying to figure out if she was telling the truth. Jasmine turned around to face the sliding doors, and Lily did the same.
“Hey!” She shouted, spotting Jane dragging the Doctor through the blue-grey corridor. Lily bolted over, and went to punch Jane. In the blink of an eye, Jane dropped the Doctor and drew her pistol, ready to shoot.
“Lily!” Jasmine shouted. Lily turned to look towards Jasmine, and missed her punch.
“What’d you do that for?” Lily debated. “I’d have had her.”
“You’re taking him to the War Room?” Jasmine questioned.
“How did you know?” Jane wondered, holstering her pistol.
“He can’t go there.” Jasmine debated. “He’ll have to stay here for now.”
“Look, I’ve got my orders.” Jane argued. “The colonel himself said that he needs to be in the War Room.”
“And I’m telling you, he needs to stay out of that room.” Jasmine argued.
“Well, if you can convince the Colonel, I’ll put him in the closet, but otherwise, he’ll be in the War Room.” Jane pointed out, picking the Doctor back up and continuing to drag him.
“We have to get him back.” Jasmine stated.
“And why’s that? Why does he need to stay out of the War Room?” Lily questioned. “Jasmine, what aren’t you telling me?” She pushed.
“Look, I can’t tell you.” Jasmine admitted. “You know that if I’m not telling you, it’s because I can’t.” Jasmine reasoned. “I can’t tell you what it is, Lily. So, I’m asking you to trust me.” She finished, extending a hand. “Lily Campbell, do you trust me?” The hand was extended for what felt like an eternity, before Lily took it.
“Alright, Jasmine. I trust you.” Lily nodded. “So, what’s our next move? You seem in charge here.”
“We won’t win over the Colonel, so we have to get to them before they get to the War Room.”
“Let me guess, you know exactly where that is?” Lily chuckled.
“You’re right.” Jasmine smiled.
Molly shivered in Landing Bay Thirteen, the temperature just low enough to keep the Ice Lord, Kaasdek was his name, alive, but just high enough to keep the humans in the room alive. They’d managed to block the entry doors with pieces of sharp debris, to keep people out.
“So, what do we do now?” Molly asked.
“We sit tight for the next four and a bit days.” Anna answered.
“Four days?” Henry moaned. “I don’t think I can last that long at this temperature.”
“We have our orders.” Anna debated. “Get Kaasdek to the Moonbase, then hold tight until the Martians attack.” Kaasdek turned his conical head to face the three humans.
“You invite war?” Kaasdek questioned.
“We do what we’re told to.” Anna admitted.
“An honourable way.” Kaasdek hissed. There was the sound of the doors trying to open, but getting caught on the debris. The three humans hid within the wreck, Anna grabbing Kaasdek and bringing the reptilian alien to hide with her.
“God, it’s freezing in there!” A UNIT soldier exclaimed, feeling the blast of cold air.
“Well, yeah.” Said another in a clipped voice, as if it were obvious. “The fire had to get put out somehow.”
“Alright, I’ll get the cutter so we can get in.” The first soldier informed. “Seems a bit strange how it all piled up in front of the door.”
“The explosion must’ve gone off on the other side of the rocket, that’s all.” While their footsteps receded, Henry had a realisation.
“Anna.” He whispered. She was the Pilot, and therefore, took command if the Captain was incapacitated. They hadn’t found her body yet, but neither he nor Molly wanted to go looking for it. “How are we getting out of here before they hit?” Molly’s face dropped, as Anna didn’t answer.
“What’s important is that they can’t kill us. We have what the Martians want.” Anna debated.
“You overestimate my Emperor.” Kaasdek denied, his cloak covering his back. “If I am not returned, they will not hesitate to attack.”
“You never said this was a suicide mission.” Molly argued. “If I’d known what I was signing up for,”
“You’d have said no?” Anna offered. “You’d have turned to UNIT? Or quit?” She interrogated. “Admit it, Molly, this job is the only thing keeping you from dying in the streets.” Anna spat. Molly had to silently agree.
“Well, I’m sure our extravagant funeral will be paid for by,” Henry drily quipped, before Anna shushed him. “What?” Anna pointed to a camera in the corner of the landing bay. “I see.”
“The only question is, do they?” Molly added.
Colonel Brenner was stood in the control room, watching the wall of screens.
“Status report on Operation Normandy?” Brenner requested.
“IPMs one through three, and IPM five are awaiting coordinates. IPM bay four is under repairs, and the others will be prepped when Geneva gives the all clear.” One of the Technicians relayed.
“Once we’ve got IPM ten ready and running, I’ll feed the coordinates.” Another explained.
“Sir, I’ve got Geneva requesting an explanation.” A third Technician informed. “What do I tell them?”
“Tell them we’ve received a direct threat from the Martian ruler. Gold protocol is in place, and we’re currently at orange alert.” Brenner ordered. “Nelson, Lisa, tell me you’ve begun your salvage operation.” He requested.
“Sorry, Colonel, the blast must’ve damaged the door.” Nelson spoke in a clipped voice.
“We’ve got the cutters, so we should be through soon.” Lisa informed.
“The instant you get through, you tell me, is that clear?” Brenner ordered. “And I want Landing Bay Seven to be ready for a load and launch.”
“On it.” The second technician confirmed. “Landing Bay Seven, be prepared for launch, the Colonel wants your shuttles loaded and launched as soon as possible.”
“We’ve got permission from Geneva!” The third technician shouted from her station. “Moving ahead with stage two of Operation Normandy.”
“Remember, we do not fire without an express order, direct from Geneva.” Brenner ordered over the chatter. “Has the Doctor reached the War Room yet?” He questioned.
“Not yet, sir.” A fourth technician denied. “Captain Gorton hasn’t arrived with him.”
“Remember, we need to get the Ice Lord and his belongings back in three days, twenty-three hours.” Brenner reminded. “Let’s not start the first interplanetary war.”
“Sir!” Percival shouted. Colonel Brenner walked over. “The Emperor is demanding proof that Kaasdek is still alive.”
“Kaasdek?” Brenner questioned.
“The Ice Lord who was taken.” Percival specified. “He wants proof.”
“Tell him that we’ll be more than happy to send proof once we get the microphone running again.” Brenner ordered. “And tell him that if he has any issue with that, he can come here and see Kazlik himself.”
“Kaasdek.” Percival corrected.
All the corridors looked the same, except to those who had been there for a long time. Jane was one of those people, and the Doctor had regained consciousness. He was still argumentative, but obliged, knowing that she could easily knock him unconscious again, or stun him with her pistol.
“You’re making a mistake.” The Doctor debated.
“I’m following orders.” Jane defended.
“You’re starting the first interplanetary war in Earth’s history.” The Doctor pointed out. “I can easily move the Martian relics back in a second.”
“Then you can tell it to the war room.” Jane calmly stated, as they turned a corner to see Lily and Jasmine. “Don’t even think about,” She pre-empted.
“She won’t.” Jasmine interrupted. “Will you, Lily?” She wondered.
“Nope. I won’t punch you.” Lily denied. “I think Jasmine has something she wants to tell you.”
“The Colonel will fire those missiles as soon as he can. The Doctor can stop that.” Jasmine explained, being careful to avoid spilling what Harrison had told her. “Do you want the deaths of hundreds on your hands?” Jane could see that Jasmine was right. “Look, if we can get to the control room, we can talk him down, I know it.” She lied.
Meanwhile, Nelson and Lisa were beginning to cut through the metal door to launch bay thirteen. The doors had jammed closed, but the pair had begun to cut through, the flame glowing a bright blue as they began melting their way through. The pair quietly prepared for the bloodbath they would see when they made it through. Once they’d cut a doorway in the door, they peeled it down, using protective gloves.
“Tell Brenner we’re through.” Lisa ordered.
“Colonel, this is Nelson. We’re through.” Nelson relayed. “Although, it looks like we’ve got some debris in the way. We’ll probably need to cut our way through, since it looks like it came from the Justifier, Over.”
“I’ll get cutting equipment down there as soon as possible.” Brenner confirmed. “Until then, keep using the burner. It’ll be slow, but it’s progress, Over.”
“Alright.” Nelson confirmed. “Nelson and Lisa, Out.” He farewelled. “Try cutting through, we’ve got the equipment en route.” He requested.
“It looks like the debris is loose.” Lisa noticed, pushing herself up against a piece of metal. “Give me a hand.” She grunted, heaving herself against it. Nelson decided to help, the sheet of metal groaning and creaking as it began to topple. It fell to the ground with a deafening clatter, the cold air slapping the pair in the face. When the dust settled, the pair of them were face to face with a green, reptilian, alien with a conical head. “Sir, I think we’ve found the,” Lisa began, before shouting in pain as she was shot by a blast of energy. She dropped to the ground almost immediately, her death instant.
“Drop your weapon!” Nelson shouted, reaching for anything he could bluff into being a gun. But his death was next. He writhed for a bit longer, but dropped dead all the same.
“I told you to barricade the doors.” Anna coldly reprimanded.
“Well, we’ve never barricaded doors before.” Molly defended.
“Do it better this time.” Anna ordered.
“Or what?” Henry questioned. “Are you gonna shoot me? We’re dead anyways.”
“Of course not.” Anna smiled. “I’ll shoot Molly.” She answered, swinging the gun to face Molly. “And do you want her blood on your hands?” She retorted.
“Go on, Henry.” Molly requested. “Go get help.”
“Place one foot outside this landing bay, and I shoot her, then I shoot you.” Anna reminded. The air was still, frozen with the electric buzz of the gun.
“You’re a monster, you know that?” Henry questioned.
“I’m loyal.” Anna corrected. “Now, barricade those doors. And do it properly.” She ordered.
“Would you?” Molly wondered. “If you knew you weren’t coming back, would you have agreed?”
“I don’t know.” Henry admitted, walking over to barricade the door. “I honestly don’t know.” He sighed. “I mean, he pays good, but I don’t know if he pays that good.”
“Could you be serious for once?” Molly requested.
Colonel Brenner was busy watching the screens in the Control Room. When he heard the door open, he turned around to notice Jane walking into the room.
“I see the Doctor made it to the War Room.” He presumed.
“He did.” Jane lied, walking over to him. Her substitute pistol hung heavy in her holster. She’d gotten a replacement after her previous one had been stolen aboard the Justifier. When she was stood next to the Colonel, she turned to him, looking up at his face. “And I’m sorry.” She pulled the pistol, and pressed it against his temple. Immediately, the guards drew their own pistols, aiming them at Jane. “Colonel Brenner. On behalf of the planet Earth, and all its inhabitants, I order you to disarm all Inter-Planetary Missiles and stand down.” The room fell silent.
“You know this is treason?” Colonel Brenner debated, the guards twitching. “You shoot me, you won’t make the door.”
“With respect, sir, I swore an oath. The same oath you did.” Jane stated, her hand solid as a rock. “I swore to be the best of humanity, and to protect the planet Earth and its occupants, until the day I die.” She ordered, her finger on the trigger. “I will not hesitate to protect Earth, sir. No matter the consequences.”
“Shooting me will resolve nothing, Captain.”
“Only the highest-ranking member of staff can input the authorisation codes. By the time Geneva sends them, you’d be dead.” Jane reminded. “So, I ask again. Stand down.”
“They declared war.”
“They threatened war.” The Doctor debated, marching into the room with a stern expression on his face. Lily had rarely seen it, and it meant he was on the warpath. Her and Jasmine took up a post near the doors, trying to avoid him. “You were about to declare war.” He spoke to Brenner.
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t turn to face you.” Brenner requested.
“So, here’s what you’re going to do.” The Doctor dictated, walking around and facing Brenner, their noses only inches apart. “First, you’ll give the order to disarm all Inter-Planetary Missiles.” He ordered without blinking, his eyes colder than ever. “Then, you’ll order your guards to stand down. After that, you will order all Martian objects to be loaded into my TARDIS, including the Ice Lord you kidnapped.”
“I didn’t,” Brenner interrupted, keeping calm.
“Shut up, the adult is talking.” The Doctor casually interjected. “Then, you will tell the Martians that you have disarmed your weapons, as a show of faith. And finally, you will contact Geneva and tell them you have chosen to abort this suicidal idea.”
“I can’t just,”
“Shut.” The Doctor stated. “You will do all of those things, and you will do them now.” He smiled, his lips curling up.
“Or what? I know your record. You won’t let her shoot me.” Brenner answered, calling his bluff.
“You’re right.” The Doctor smiled. “I won’t let her shoot you. But I have no qualms about shutting down the power to this room.” He finished. A buzzing noise came from behind Brenner, and the doors slid shut, the lights turning off. The room was plunged into darkness, the eleven computers at the front turning off one by one, the absence of their green glow slowly turning the room blacker than the Doctor’s coat. There were ten computers left on. “Are you scared yet?” Throughout the Moonbase, alarms began ringing as the Missile Launch Bays lost coordination. Nine computers left. “I’ll take that as a yes.” The Doctor spoke in an eerily chipper tone. Brenner felt the pistol leave his temple, and he swung to grab it. Seven computers left. His arm whizzed through the empty space. “What do you think will happen if you don’t stop?” The Doctor whispered, the hairs on Brenner’s neck standing on end. “In a few moments, the Emperor will lose contact with you. When he looks this way to find out what’s wrong, do you think he’ll see the missile silos?” The Doctor questioned. Five computers left. “Now, what would he think of that?” He wondered. “Do you think he’d look kindly upon those who have weapons aimed at him?” He asked. “Would you?” Four computers left. “Give the order, Colonel. As I’m sure you can see,” Three computers left. “I’m not bluffing.” He calmly stated. Two computers left. One to keep contact, the other to cancel the missiles.
“Cancel the order!” Brenner shouted. One of the technicians quickly spoke into a headset.
“Cancel Operation Normandy, I repeat, cancel Operation Normandy.” The technician ordered. There was a buzzing noise and a blue glow, and the lights turned back on, the doors unlocking.
“Thank you for that.” The Doctor smiled. “Go on, do the rest.”
“Tell them.” Brenner sighed.
“Yes, sir.” Percival confirmed.
“Stand down.” Brenner ordered of his guards.
“How’s getting through to the launch bay going?” The Doctor wondered.
“We’ve got two people trying to cut through the debris of the Justifier.” Brenner admitted. “You know, Geneva can override our denial.”
“Then let’s hope they understand the consequences of their actions.” The Doctor glared. “If I use the TARDIS, then I can bypass the door.”
“Then I’m coming with you.” Lily stated.
“Lily, no.” Jasmine debated. “He needs to go on his own.”
“Says who?” The Doctor argued, not looking away from the Colonel. “Your mysterious source?” He asked. “Jasmine, now isn’t the time for secrets.” He stated. “Tell me, how did you know I’d be able to talk the Colonel down?”
“Because you’re you.” Jasmine lied.
“Why don’t I believe you?” The Doctor wondered, turning his head to stare at Jasmine. “See, there’s always a twist with these things. Someone always changes sides.” He insinuated.
“I’m not on the side of the Martians, Doctor.” Jasmine defended, not daring to blink. “I can’t say who told me, or what they told me.” Jasmine reminded. “The only thing I can say is I’m not keeping it a secret for no reason.” She defended. “Apparently, the Web of Time hinges on me keeping my information secret.”
“The Web?” The Doctor questioned.
“Do you know how stressful this is for me?” Jasmine wondered. “One wrong word, and the universe falls into chaos.” She reminded. “One wrong word, and this base could disintegrate.”
“That’s not how the Web works.” The Doctor debated.
“Does it matter?” Jasmine argued. “All that matters is I can’t tell you what you’ll find when you go.”
“I think you mean if.” The Doctor corrected.
“You will.” Jasmine glared.
“And what makes you think that?” The Doctor questioned.
“Because you’re you.” Jasmine stated. “Now go. And don’t look.” She ordered. The Doctor sighed, and left the room to get to the TARDIS.
“You,” Lily began.
“You already know the answer.” Jasmine solemnly sighed.
Inside the TARDIS, the Doctor was stood at the console, when his suspicion began to grow. Who was Jasmine’s friend? Was the Web of Time truly in danger? And when would she have been told? She was never alone on the Justifier. Unless… no, Lily wouldn’t betray him. Unless she would. Six months wasn’t long enough to figure out a person’s ins and outs. The Doctor glanced over at the scanner. If the Web was in danger, it was his responsibility to protect it. He could easily go back and look. Perk of having a time machine, the Doctor thought to himself. He could go check, and be back in an instant. He reached over and twisted a control, the TARDIS engines stuttering into life as the TARDIS dematerialised, its destination: Landing Bay Thirteen.
“Come on, it can’t be that difficult. Just a little hop.” The Doctor coaxed. With a chime, the TARDIS touched down. “Time wearing a bit thin?” He offered to himself, before stepping outside. He was shocked to see that an Ice Lord was up and walking. Hearing a voice, he ducked behind the bent remnants of the Justifier.
“Hurry up.” Anna ordered, gesturing with what the Doctor recognised as a UNIT gun.
“We’re working as quickly as we can.” Henry debated. “It would go quicker if we have two extra sets of hands.” He grunted, trying to move a piece of metal to block the door.
“Then who would make sure you obey?” Anna offered. The Ice Lord was stood close to the air vent, where the cold air was strongest. The Doctor decided to take a gamble.
“Psst!” The Doctor whispered. The Ice Lord’s head whipped to face the Doctor, who had a finger pressed to his lips. “How would you like to go home before we’re blown up?” He offered.
“Who are you?” The Ice Lord questioned, raising a claw towards the Doctor.
“I’m the Doctor, and I’m a friend.”
“Doc-Tor.” The Ice Lord tossed up the term. There had been records from the time of Iraxxa about a Doctor who had saved them from enslavement. Another stated that he had saved a Martian nobleman’s guard the time before Iraxxa. This one didn’t match, but they believed he may be able to change his appearance. “The human states I am to stay here.” The Ice Lord remembered.
“The one with the gun?” The Doctor questioned. The Ice Lord nodded. “I think I have an idea.” He nodded to his TARDIS, a large blue box with a glow behind the windows.
“And what of the other humans?” The Ice Lord questioned.
“Other humans?” The Doctor whispered, looking over to see Henry and Molly, still moving pieces of metal. “Oh, I see.” He noticed. “Well, I do have one idea. Do you think you could convince them to follow you?”
“I could attempt to.” The Ice Lord hissed.
“Good. When I provide a distraction, get them in the box and don’t let them get out again.” The Doctor ordered. “There’s a temperature control on one of the dividers.”
“What will you do?” The Ice Lord wondered.
“Probably something stupid.” The Doctor admitted, allowing the Ice Lord to walk over.
In Geneva, the United Nations was in an emergency meeting. Voices flew, but for once, they were almost in total unison. The Martian threat could not be ignored. Colonel Brenner may have stood down, but UNIT could not afford to be on the back foot when it came to an oncoming threat. The decision was made to use the Lethbridge override. The IPMs would be primed and prepared for launch.
Henry and Molly were busy dragging a piece of metal when Kaasdek walked over and helped them.
“When I run, follow me.” He hissed to the two of them. The pair of them looked at him confused.
“Yoo-hoo!” A voice shouted. The four of them recognised it as the Doctor. Anna whipped the gun around, only to see a banana flying towards her. It smacked her in the face, despite her raising her arms to defend herself. Kaasdek took this as his opening, and ran, his cloak flowing out behind him. Henry and Molly followed suit, running after him. Kaasdek pushed the door to a large blue box open, as he ran into the box. The Doctor had ducked behind a plate of metal, Anna shooting the gun in his direction.
“You may as well give up.” Anna insulted. “I’ve got you cornered.”
“Okay, so you do.” The Doctor conceded, before pulling the screwdriver from his pocket and aiming it at a bolt on the remains of the Justifier. “But I’ve got a screwdriver.” He smirked, buzzing the screwdriver. A few seconds later, a panel fell off between the two of them, clattering to the ground. Anna blinked, giving the Doctor the opportunity to bolt towards the TARDIS. The Doctor ran over to the console, and hit the fast return switch. The engines wheezed as the TARDIS left the landing bay, leaving Anna alone in the bay.
“How am I going to tell the boss?” She whispered to herself, before weighing up the gun in her hand.
In the control room, the TARDIS materialised, a large blue box breaking up the grey monotony.
“Out.” The Doctor ordered, opening the door to shove Henry and Molly out of the TARDIS.
“Rude.” Lily stated.
“Not at all, I’m taking Kaasdek here to Mars.” The Doctor smiled. “Back in a second.”
“I’m coming with you.” Lily argued.
“No, just me and him.” The Doctor debated. “Jasmine said I have to do everything alone. That includes this.”
“You trust me, then?” Jasmine smiled.
“With Lily’s life.” The Doctor smiled. “Like I said, back in a second.” He closed the door, and dematerialised. Percival turned back to his microphone, and spoke to Drakziss.
“Emperor, this is Lieutenant Percival Harris again, we have your Ice Lord en route as a sign of our intent to return your belongings.” Percival informed. Then, his face dropped. “What do you mean, you don’t believe us?” He questioned. All eyes went to him. “No, like I told you, we closed our missile silos.” He reminded. “Look, I’m not lying, I saw the order be given.”
“The Lethbridge override.” Brenner realised. “Harris, put him on speaker.” Harris obliged.
“declaration of war!” Drakziss roared.
“Emperor, this is Colonel Brenner again.” Brenner greeted. “Our ground base has seen fit to override our missile shutdown, and for that, I apologise on their behalf.”
“Convince your leaders to stand down, or we will not hesitate to open fire.” Drakziss hissed.
“How long until launch?” Brenner asked.
“T-minus 60 seconds.” One of the Technicians stated.
“I can try.” Brenner conceded. “Cancel the missiles.” He ordered.
“We are defending Earth, Colonel Brenner.” The Secretary-General stated. “Which is your job.”
“The Doctor’s on Mars, you idiot!” Lily shouted.
“Who is this?” The Secretary-General asked.
“Lily Campbell. Friend of the Doctor.” Lily introduced. “Now, stop your missiles before,” A low rumbling shook throughout the base.
“Too late.” Percival admitted.
“Oh god.” Jasmine gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. Their faces dropped as they realised they’d lost. War was imminent. “Lily?” Jasmine began, swallowing. This moment had been living in her mind since the simulations, but she never imagined it would be like this. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright.” Lily smiled solemnly. “It’s not your fault.”
“Remember how Harrison asked if there was anything you regret?” Jasmine wondered.
“Yeah, why do you ask?” Lily wondered.
“Well, I’d rather die without regret.” Jasmine smiled. Lily looked at Jasmine in confusion, before Jasmine pushed her lips against Lily’s. That instant stretched out, like it was the last second either of them would spend on Earth. Jasmine pulled her lips away, looking away and blushing. “I love you, Lily Campbell.” Lily stood, dumbfounded for a few seconds, before swallowing. Lily pushed her lips against Jasmine’s, returning the kiss.
“I love you too, Jasmine Clarkson.” Lily confirmed. Then, an idea randomly popped into Lily’s head. “And I think I know how we can get out of this problem.” She realised. “Percy, where’s the rocket coordinates?”
“That screen there.” Percival informed. Lily shoved Percy out of the seat, and began speaking into the headset.
“This is UNIT Moonbase calling Martian Emperor, please come in, over.” She smiled. She’d always wanted to say that.
“We hear you.” Drakziss confirmed. “If you have contacted us to surrender, it is too late.”
“Nope. We need you to target a few coordinates.” Lily requested. “I’ll read them out to you.” She then read out the longest string of numbers she’d ever seen, and the Martian Emperor confirmed them, one by one. “And thank you for that intercept.” Lily thanked, getting up from the seat and walking over to Jasmine, swaying in smugness.
“If just one of those missiles isn’t intercepted, then we’re all dead.” Brenner reminded.
“Then let’s hope they hit all of them.” Lily muttered, taking Jasmine’s hand in hers. “Still, I can now die a happy woman.” She smiled at Jasmine.
“Our father, who art in heaven,” Jasmine muttered to herself. She’d rather go to heaven with Lily. The room was silent, as one by one, two dots collided, wiping each other off a large screen. One missile destroyed, eight to go.
“Geneva, this is UNIT Moonbase, consider us rogue.” Colonel Brenner stated. Two missiles destroyed. “We have no more IPMs, nor would we use them. The Martians have offered us peace.” Three missiles destroyed. “We had accepted their offer of peace, but you evidently did not.” Four missiles destroyed. “And thanks to a touch of quick thinking we’ve averted war on a new scale.” Five missiles destroyed. “I swore to be the best of humanity, and to protect the planet Earth and its occupants, until the day I die.” Jane smiled, holding her breath as the sixth missile was destroyed. “As commanding officer of this station, I have a responsibility to the people of Earth.” Seventh missile destroyed. “A responsibility that I refuse to neglect. And I want you all to know, that the moment I get down on that planet, I will accuse you all of illegally attacking a foreign power.” Eighth missile destroyed. “See you in the Hague.” Ninth and last missile destroyed. Once it had sunk in, the room was swamped by cheers. Lily and Jasmine smiled at each other, before kissing once more. A loud noise distracted the two of them, the TARDIS fading into reality. The door opened, the Doctor sticking his head out of the door.
“What’d I miss?” He drily smiled.
Within an hour, the TARDIS had been loaded with Martian relics and artefacts to be shuttled back to Mars.
“Thanks for holding down the fort.” The Doctor smiled as he talked to Colonel Brenner. “That being said, I think I’ve fixed that Lethbridge override.” He added. “I don’t think he’d like his name being used like that.”
“No, I suspect he wouldn’t.” Brenner admitted. “I think that’s everything, Doctor.”
“Alright, that’s that, then.” The Doctor nodded, as he watched Anna, escorted in handcuffs. “I take it she’ll stand trial?” He wondered.
“She will. I presume you won’t be testifying?” Brenner predicted.
“I’ve got a TARDIS full of Martian artefacts to return.” The Doctor grinned, before stepping into the TARDIS. “But be generous with the Captain. Oh, and Anna will probably want these for her gun.” He added, dropping a handful of screws into the Colonel’s hand.
“I won’t press charges against Lieutenant Gorton, don’t worry.” Brenner nodded. “And I’ll give Henry and Molly a chance. The Doctor gave a thin smile before closing the TARDIS door. The Doctor walked over to the console, and began typing in coordinates for the red planet.
“So, you both okay?” He wondered.
“I’m brilliant.” Jasmine smiled, looking at Lily.
“Never better.” Lily confirmed, giving Jasmine a small peck on the cheek.
“So, after this trip, where to?” The Doctor offered.
“Don’t know.” Lily smiled, looking up at the Time Rotor. “Where to?” Jasmine glanced over at Lily and smiled.
“Somewhere new, I think.”
“Somewhere new it is, then.” The Doctor smiled, twisting a control to dematerialise. The engines wheezed and groaned as they set course for Mars.
Notes:
And thus concludes the first season of Series 0, and they've finally kissed. It only took about six months, but I'm happy I managed to make it all in one year. Firstly, I want to thank my darling girlfriend for helping me build Jasmine as a historically accurate character, I love you. But don't be sad, the three of them will be back in 2026 and beyond. We're about 25% of the way through, so expect a lot more of them in the future. Also, if you've managed to read all ten episodes, then I applaud you. Thanks for reading this love story, and I hope you all enjoyed this extended season finale.
Signed, CS.
HearthAndInk (Guest) on Chapter 2 Tue 07 Oct 2025 04:50PM UTC
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HearthAndInk (Guest) on Chapter 2 Sat 11 Oct 2025 07:49PM UTC
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Legospy97 on Chapter 2 Wed 15 Oct 2025 10:30PM UTC
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