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The TARDIS shuddered violently as its console lit up with chaotic bursts of energy. Sparks flew, and the familiar hum of its engines grew erratic.
"Doctor, what’s going on?" Donna Noble shouted, clutching the railing as the room lurched sideways.
The Doctor darted around the console, his pinstriped suit disheveled, as he pulled levers and smacked buttons. "Something’s dragging us in! It’s—oh, this is clever! A temporal-lock signal, embedded in a reality field!"
"In English, spaceman!" Donna snapped, bracing herself against the shaking walls.
"We’re being pulled into a trap!" the Doctor yelled just as the TARDIS screeched to a halt, sending both of them sprawling. The room grew eerily quiet except for the faint hum of the console, now subdued.
Donna staggered to her feet, brushing off her coat. "Well, that wasn’t one of your smoother landings. Where are we now?"
The Doctor peered at the monitor. His face darkened as he read the words blinking ominously on the screen: SCP FOUNDATION: SITE-7.
Donna glanced over his shoulder. "SCP Foundation? What’s that?"
The Doctor leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Oh, Donna, you’re going to hate this. They’re a secret organization—a bit like UNIT but far less friendly. They specialize in containing things they don’t understand. Dangerous things. And they don’t particularly like intruders."
A loud bang on the TARDIS doors made Donna jump.
"Case in point," the Doctor muttered.
Outside the TARDIS, the containment hangar was abuzz with activity. MTF Epsilon-11, “Nine-Tailed Fox,” had encircled the blue box, their weapons drawn. The dull hum of Stanton Reality Anchors filled the air, ensuring the TARDIS remained grounded.
Arson, the team’s leader, surveyed the scene. His tall, broad-shouldered frame was clad in sleek black tactical gear. He nodded toward the containment specialists adjusting the reality anchors. "Status?"
"The anomaly is stable," one of them replied. "The anchors are holding. Whatever this thing is, it’s not going anywhere."
Captain Madam Legion, commanding and composed, stepped up beside him. Her eyes were fixed on the TARDIS, her posture tense but controlled. "Let’s hope it stays that way. If it’s alive, like the reports suggest, this could get messy."
The TARDIS doors creaked open, revealing the Doctor, his hands raised in mock surrender. "Ah, hello! You’ve found my box. Congratulations. Now, who do I thank for this impromptu welcome party?"
Donna stepped out behind him, arms crossed. "You’d think they could greet us without the guns."
"Quiet," Legion ordered, her sharp gaze locking onto them. She gestured to her team. "Take them into custody. Secure the anomaly."
The Doctor’s jovial demeanor faltered as several heavily armed guards stepped forward. "Oh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. She doesn’t like strangers poking around."
Legion arched an eyebrow. "Neither do we."
The Doctor and Donna were escorted deeper into Site-7, the sterile, metallic corridors stretching endlessly in every direction. As they walked, Donna eyed the surroundings warily.
"Cold place," she muttered.
The Doctor, his hands still raised, smirked. "That’s the Foundation for you. Practical to a fault. No creature comforts here."
They entered a containment chamber where several figures awaited. At the center was Site Director Shaderake, a tall man with a commanding presence. His tailored suit and piercing gaze radiated authority.
To Shaderake’s left stood Dr. Emerald, a tall, lanky man wearing a cowboy hat over messy brown hair. His green eyes studied the Doctor carefully, and his cat-like ears twitched as he processed the situation.
Dr. Pogger, Emerald’s father, stood nearby, his sharper feline features betraying his curiosity and suspicion.
Dr. Ddouble leaned against a console, his unkempt hair and rumpled coat giving him the air of a disheveled academic. Despite his casual stance, his eyes were sharp with intelligence.
Dr. Pi lingered awkwardly in the background, clutching a clipboard so tightly his knuckles were white. The nervous intern seemed overwhelmed by the tension in the room.
Dr. Vovgus, stoic and observant, crossed his arms. His role as head of humane anomalies made him a crucial counterbalance in these discussions.
Shaderake wasted no time. "Doctor. You and your...ship have breached our containment perimeter. You’ll remain here until we determine you’re not a threat."
The Doctor’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Oh, I’m not a threat. But keeping me here? That might be a threat to you."
Donna groaned. "Oh, here we go. They’re not going to listen to you, are they?"
Emerald stepped forward, his Texan drawl breaking the tension. "We don’t deal in risks lightly, Doctor. Mind tellin’ us what that box of yours can do?"
The Doctor chuckled nervously. "Well, she’s not just a box. She’s a TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimension in Space. She’s alive, for starters. And she doesn’t like being confined."
Inside the hangar, the TARDIS emitted a low, ominous hum. Lights flickered inside its containment field, and the Stanton Reality Anchors began to spark.
Arson’s comm crackled to life. "Sir, we’ve got a problem. The anomaly is destabilizing."
"Fallback," Arson barked, motioning for his team to retreat.
The TARDIS shuddered, its internal mechanisms groaning under the strain of the anchors. Sparks flew, and the lights inside the hangar dimmed as its systems fought back.
Back in the containment chamber, alarms blared. The Doctor’s expression turned grim. "You’ve poked the bear. Now she’s angry."
Shaderake rounded on him. "What’s happening?"
"The TARDIS is alive," the Doctor explained, his tone urgent. "She doesn’t like being trapped, and your reality anchors are tearing her apart. If you don’t let me in there, she’ll breach—and take this entire facility with her."
Shaderake hesitated, his jaw tight. Finally, he nodded to Legion. "Escort him to the hangar. If he tries anything, terminate him."
Legion’s eyes narrowed. "Understood."
The Doctor sprinted into the hangar, his coat flaring behind him. He immediately ran to the TARDIS, placing both hands on its doors.
"Shhh, it’s me," he whispered. "I’m here. I’ll fix this."
The TARDIS groaned in response, its lights dimming as if acknowledging his presence.
Behind him, Legion and Arson stood with weapons raised, their team forming a perimeter.
The Doctor glanced over his shoulder. "You’re going to need to turn off those anchors. She won’t fully stabilize while they’re active."
Shaderake’s voice crackled through the comms. "Absolutely not."
The Doctor sighed, placing his forehead against the TARDIS. "I’m sorry, old girl. Let’s get you out of here." He pulled out his sonic screwdriver and began recalibrating the console.
With a final groan, the TARDIS’s systems surged. The anchors shorted out, sparks raining down. The blue box flickered, then stood silent and still.
"She’s stabilized," the Doctor announced, stepping back.
Back in the containment chamber, Shaderake eyed the Doctor coldly. "You may have saved your ship, but you’re not going anywhere."
The Doctor met his gaze evenly. "We’ll see about that."
Emerald leaned closer to Pogger, his ears twitching. "You reckon we made the right call, Dad?"
Pogger’s tail swished thoughtfully. "Time will tell."
Donna, standing by the Doctor, muttered, "You’ve got a plan, right?"
The Doctor smirked. "Always."
The Doctor paced the observation cell, his hands tucked into his suit pockets. His face, usually alight with enthusiasm or wit, was shadowed by frustration. Donna sat on the edge of the bench, her arms crossed, glaring at the transparent walls around them.
"Right," Donna said, breaking the silence. "Any brilliant ideas on getting us out of here?"
"Plenty," the Doctor replied, spinning on his heel. "The trouble is, they’ve been very thorough. Between those reality anchors and their delightful penchant for over-preparation, they’ve effectively locked me out of the TARDIS."
Donna raised an eyebrow. "You’re telling me the big, clever Time Lord doesn’t have a plan?"
"Not yet," the Doctor admitted, then grinned. "But don’t worry. I’m brilliant. Give me five minutes."
"Better make it two," Donna muttered, glancing at the ever-watching cameras.
Site Director Shaderake watched the Doctor and Donna through a live feed in the control room. His expression was cold, calculating. Around him, the brightest minds at Site-7 gathered to discuss their next steps.
Dr. Emerald leaned back in his chair, spinning his pocket watch absently as his ears twitched. "This ain’t our usual containment case, Shaderake. That box of his might not be goin’ anywhere, but the Doctor? He’s slipperier than a wet hog in a rainstorm."
Dr. Pogger, seated next to his son, nodded. "And he’s not just another anomaly. If he’s really who he claims to be, we’re dealing with someone who could outthink us at every turn."
Dr. Ddouble, the site’s veteran, adjusted his glasses. "We should focus on studying the TARDIS itself. If it’s as advanced as it appears, it could revolutionize our containment methods."
Dr. Vovgus frowned, his deep voice cutting through the room. "At what cost? The Doctor made it clear the TARDIS is sentient. We’ve never treated living anomalies as tools—not without consequence."
Shaderake tapped his fingers on the table. "The decision isn’t about ethics. It’s about survival. If we can harness its power, we could secure anomalies that have eluded us for years."
Dr. Pi shifted uncomfortably. "But what if we provoke it again? We barely contained it the first time."
Emerald’s tail flicked as he sighed. "The TARDIS is stuck, but the Doctor ain’t. He’ll find a way to complicate things unless we keep him on a short leash."
Shaderake nodded. "Agreed. Emerald, you’ll lead the interrogation. Let’s see what the Doctor’s hiding."
The observation cell door slid open, revealing Dr. Emerald flanked by Captain Legion and Arson. The Doctor perked up immediately, throwing on his most charming grin.
"Ah, visitors! Lovely. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me."
Emerald stepped inside, his boots clicking against the floor. He tipped his hat slightly, his tail swishing behind him. "Doctor, we got a few questions ‘bout your little blue box."
The Doctor leaned casually against the wall. "Oh, I bet you do. But let me save you some time. She’s not a weapon, not a trap, and definitely not something you can control. She’s...well, she’s mine. And she’s very, very cross with you lot."
Emerald smirked, crossing his arms. "That so? Funny, ‘cause she didn’t seem too cross when we locked her down."
The Doctor’s smile faltered, a flicker of anger passing through his eyes. "You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. The TARDIS is more than a machine. She’s alive, and she doesn’t take kindly to imprisonment."
Legion stepped forward, her voice sharp. "We’re not here to debate ethics, Doctor. What we need to know is how it works and what it’s capable of."
The Doctor met her gaze evenly. "If you think you can dissect her like some lab rat, you’ll regret it. Not because of me, but because of her."
Donna, still sitting on the bench, snorted. "Good luck getting anything out of him. He loves that box more than life itself."
Emerald’s ears twitched. "Then maybe we focus on somethin’ else. Doctor, how’d you come across the Foundation? You seem...familiar with us."
The Doctor’s expression softened, his voice quieter now. "Oh, I’ve known about you for a long time. An organization dedicated to containing the unexplainable? You’re hard to miss. But you’re playing with forces you don’t understand. You always have."
Back in the hangar, the TARDIS remained silent, but technicians swarmed around it, running scans and installing additional containment measures. Dr. Ddouble supervised, his brow furrowed as he reviewed the data.
"Fascinating," he muttered. "It’s like the ship exists in multiple dimensions at once. No wonder the anchors had such a hard time stabilizing it."
Dr. Pogger joined him, his tail swishing thoughtfully. "But stabilizing isn’t the same as controlling. If we keep pushing, we risk another breach."
Ddouble sighed, tapping a finger on the console. "I know. But Shaderake’s not going to back down."
Hours passed in the observation cell. Donna paced the floor, her frustration bubbling over. "So what’s the plan, Doctor? We just sit here until they dissect your precious TARDIS?"
The Doctor, now lying on the bench with his hands behind his head, smirked. "Oh, Donna, you underestimate me. I don’t just sit anywhere. I observe. I plan. I wait for the right moment."
"And when’s that moment coming?"
"Any second now," he said, his eyes gleaming.
Just then, the lights flickered. A distant alarm blared. Donna’s eyes widened. "What’s happening?"
The Doctor leaped to his feet, grinning. "Looks like my ride’s as clever as I thought. She’s giving us an opening."
In the hangar, the TARDIS emitted a low hum, its lights pulsing rhythmically. The technicians scrambled as the reality anchors began to fail.
Emerald’s voice crackled over the comms. "What’s goin’ on down there?"
One of the techs shouted back, "The TARDIS is destabilizing the field again! We’re losing containment!"
Shaderake’s voice cut through the chaos. "Shut it down. Now."
But it was too late. The TARDIS surged with energy, sending a shockwave through the hangar. The lights dimmed, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though the ship would break free.
Then, just as suddenly, it went silent.
Back in the observation cell, the Doctor’s grin faded. The lights returned, and the alarms ceased.
"Well," he muttered. "That’s disappointing."
Donna frowned. "What happened?"
The door slid open, and Dr. Pogger entered, his expression serious. "Doctor, we need to talk."
The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Changing tactics, are we?"
Pogger nodded. "Your ship’s alive, sure. But she’s stuck, same as you. If you don’t want her torn apart, you’ll cooperate. Help us understand her, and maybe we can work somethin’ out."
The Doctor’s smile returned, sharp and calculating. "A deal, then?"
Pogger’s tail flicked. "Somethin’ like that. But don’t think we’ll go easy on you."
The Doctor tilted his head, his grin widening. "Good. I’d hate for this to be boring."
Dr. Emerald stood confidently in front of the seated Doctor. His green eyes sparkled with determination, the brim of his cowboy hat shadowing a sly grin. His tail swished lazily, but every inch of him radiated control.
"So, Doctor," Emerald began, leaning against the table, "you’ve been talkin’ circles ‘round everyone here. But now you’re dealin’ with me, and I don’t much care for riddles."
The Doctor leaned back in his chair, feigning boredom. "Ah, yes, the cowboy genius. Love the hat, by the way. Very…frontier chic."
Emerald smirked, unbothered by the jab. "Appreciate it. Now, let’s cut to the chase. That blue box of yours ain’t goin’ nowhere, and neither are you. So, how ‘bout you save us all some time and tell me why you’re really here."
The Doctor’s expression turned serious. "I’ve already told you. I landed by accident. The TARDIS picked this location, not me."
Emerald crossed his arms, his tail flicking dismissively. "That so? Funny, ‘cause we scanned the area and found no signs of dimensional instability ‘til you showed up. You sure your ‘accident’ wasn’t somethin’ more deliberate?"
Donna, seated off to the side under guard, cut in. "Oh, give it a rest, cowboy. He’s not lying. He’s just an unlucky sod who landed in your madhouse."
Emerald’s ears twitched as he glanced at her, but his confidence never wavered. "Ma’am, I respect your loyalty, but the Doctor’s got a knack for stirrin’ up trouble. It’s my job to figure out if he’s here to fix somethin’—or make it worse."
The Doctor leaned forward, his tone sharp. "I don’t cause trouble. Trouble finds me. And right now, your organization is causing more harm than good."
Emerald chuckled softly, adjusting his pocket watch. "That so? You’re the one sittin’ in my chair, Doctor. Not the other way ‘round."
In the Hangar the TARDIS remained eerily silent, its normally vibrant hum reduced to a faint whisper. Dr. Ddouble and Dr. Pogger stood near a cluster of monitors, analyzing the readings.
"It’s...sulking," Ddouble remarked, rubbing his temple. "If I didn’t know better, I’d say the ship’s refusing to cooperate."
Pogger, his tail flicking in agitation, nodded. "Makes sense. It’s like a wounded animal. Cornered, defensive. If we push too hard, we might break it—or worse, provoke it."
Dr. Pi, nervously holding a clipboard, hesitated before asking, "Do we really need to push it? Can’t we just...leave it alone?"
Pogger gave him a sharp look. "You’re new, so I’ll spell it out for you. We don’t leave anomalies alone. Not ever."
Ddouble sighed, his tone softer. "But we don’t have to antagonize them either. Let’s keep the pressure steady—nothing too aggressive. We need to understand its limits."
As they spoke, the TARDIS flickered, its light growing brighter for a brief moment. Pogger’s eyes narrowed. "It’s reacting. We need to let Emerald know."
Back in the interrogation room, Emerald’s patience was running thin. He slammed his hand on the table, startling Donna but not the Doctor.
"Enough games, Doctor. You’re not callin’ the shots here. I am."
The Doctor raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself. "My, my. Someone’s feeling bold today."
Emerald’s tail swished as he leaned in closer, his voice low but firm. "You think this is a game? ‘Cause I’ve seen what happens when people underestimate anomalies like you. It don’t end pretty."
Donna jumped to her feet, her face flushed with anger. "He’s not an anomaly! He’s a person, same as you!"
Emerald turned to her, his green eyes sharp but not unkind. "Maybe he is. But people lie. And until I know for sure what he’s up to, I’m treatin’ him like every other risk we’ve ever faced."
The Doctor’s grin returned, his voice calm. "You’re good, Emerald. Very good. But you’re not as in control as you think."
Emerald chuckled, stepping back. "Is that right? Funny, ‘cause you’re the one locked up while I’m free to walk outta here whenever I please."
Suddenly, the room’s lights flickered. A distant alarm blared, and a voice came through the comm system.
"Director Shaderake, we have a containment breach in the hangar! The TARDIS is destabilizing again!"
Emerald’s ears twitched, and his hand instinctively went to the radio on his belt. "What’s the status?"
"Reality anchors are holding for now, but it’s resisting. We need backup!"
Emerald shot the Doctor a knowing look. "That your doin’?"
The Doctor’s expression was unreadable. "She doesn’t like being trapped. She’s trying to protect herself."
Emerald turned to Legion, who had been standing silently nearby. "Get your team down there. Make sure this doesn’t spiral outta control."
Legion nodded sharply, signaling to Arson and the rest of her squad. "Move out!"
As the MTF team exited, Emerald focused on the Doctor. "You’re comin’ with me. If your ship’s gonna throw a tantrum, you’re gonna help fix it."
Emerald, flanked by Pogger and the Doctor, entered the hangar as the TARDIS pulsed with energy. The containment field shimmered, barely holding as technicians worked frantically to stabilize it.
The Doctor’s face darkened. "You’re hurting her. She’s fighting back because she thinks she’s in danger."
Emerald tilted his hat back, his tone calm but firm. "Then tell her she’s safe. End this before someone gets hurt."
The Doctor stepped forward, speaking softly to the TARDIS. "It’s all right, old girl. I’m here. They won’t harm you. Just...calm down."
For a moment, the ship seemed to respond. The energy pulses slowed, and the containment field stabilized.
Emerald let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. "Looks like we got ourselves a truce."
Back in the control room, Shaderake addressed the team. "The TARDIS is stable for now. But this situation is far from resolved. Doctor, you’ll remain under our custody until we’re certain you and your ship pose no further threat."
The Doctor smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere."
Emerald stood by the door, his posture relaxed but his eyes watchful. "Good. ‘Cause I’ll be watchin’."
As the Doctor met his gaze, a flicker of respect passed between them. The game was far from over, but for now, the board was set.
In the depths of Site-7’s advanced containment wing, Site Director Shaderake stood before a large containment chamber. The room hummed with quiet, foreboding energy, dominated by a towering, ominous machine. It gleamed with steel and black alloy, a monstrous upgrade to the standard reality anchors used across the SCP Foundation.
Dr. Emerald and Dr. Pogger stood to Shaderake’s left, their expressions varying between skepticism and fascination. Dr. Ddouble, hands stuffed in his lab coat pockets, leaned lazily against a console, while Dr. Pi tried to keep from fidgeting under the oppressive atmosphere.
“This,” Shaderake began, gesturing to the massive construct, “is the Titan’s Lock. A next-generation countermeasure designed to contain high-tier dimensional anomalies.”
The Doctor, still under guard by MTF Epsilon-11, tilted his head with intrigue. “Titan’s Lock? That’s a rather dramatic name. What is it, a reality anchor on steroids?”
Emerald adjusted his hat, his green eyes sharp as he studied the machine. "Somethin’ like that. This thing don’t just stabilize reality—it clamps it down, hard. Makes breaches near impossible."
The Doctor chuckled softly, though there was a nervous edge to his tone. “Ah, clever. You’ve built a cosmic crowbar. But tell me, cowboy, what happens when you use that much force on something that doesn’t fit your neat little box?”
Pogger’s tail flicked irritably. "The goal isn’t force; it’s control. The Titan’s Lock lets us rewrite the rules of engagement, on our terms."
Shaderake’s expression didn’t change. “Doctor, you’ll be pleased to know the Titan’s Lock will be activated on your TARDIS shortly. We can’t afford any further breaches.”
Donna, standing behind the Doctor, rolled her eyes. “Oh, brilliant. You lot are like kids with a new toy. Let me guess—no one’s tested this thing properly?”
Ddouble snorted. “Define ‘properly.’”
In the hangar, the TARDIS stood motionless as technicians swarmed around it, installing the Titan’s Lock emitters. Each emitter, sleek and hexagonal, glowed faintly with the hum of dimensional stabilization. The air was thick with tension, the hum growing louder as the technicians made final adjustments.
MTF Captain Legion stood at the perimeter, her posture rigid and commanding as she oversaw the operation. Arson, her second-in-command, stayed close by, his hand resting on his weapon.
“Is this overkill?” Arson asked, glancing at the glowing machine.
Legion didn’t take her eyes off the TARDIS. “No such thing when it comes to anomalies like this. The Doctor might seem harmless, but his ship’s already proven it isn’t.”
A voice crackled over the intercom. “Titan’s Lock initialization complete. Prepare for full activation.”
Back in the observation room, the Doctor’s usually playful demeanor vanished, replaced by quiet fury. He paced the room, his mind racing.
“You don’t understand what you’re about to do,” he said, his voice low but firm.
Emerald, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I reckon we do. That ship of yours might be the most dangerous thing we’ve ever had in containment. We ain’t takin’ chances.”
The Doctor stopped pacing and turned to face Emerald directly. “The TARDIS isn’t just a machine. She’s alive, a sentient being older than this entire planet. And what you’re doing? It’s like trapping a wild animal in a cage too small for it to move. You’ll break her.”
Emerald didn’t flinch. His tail flicked once, deliberately. “Maybe. Or maybe she learns her place.”
The technicians flipped the final switches, and the Titan’s Lock roared to life. The emitters glowed brightly, their hum deepening to a powerful, bone-shaking vibration.
Inside the hangar, the TARDIS reacted immediately. Its lights flared, and the familiar vworp vworp sound echoed faintly, though it couldn’t dematerialize. The ship shook, sending waves of distortion through the air.
Legion’s voice cut through the comms. “Status report!”
A technician shouted over the noise. “The TARDIS is resisting! The Lock is holding, but it’s straining the system!”
Shaderake’s voice came through the intercom, calm but firm. “Hold it steady. The Lock was designed for this.”
Inside the observation room, the Doctor watched the scene unfold on the monitors. His face was pale, his hands clenched into fists.
“You’re hurting her,” he muttered.
Donna stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “Doctor, you’ve got to do something. They’re going to destroy her.”
The Doctor’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll need their help.”
He turned to Emerald. “You’re clever, and you clearly care about keeping things under control. But this? This isn’t control. This is chaos waiting to happen. Let me stop it before it’s too late.”
Emerald’s ears twitched as he considered the plea. Finally, he nodded. “Fine. But if you try anything funny, I’ll put you down myself.”
The Doctor, flanked by Emerald and Pogger, entered the hangar as the Titan’s Lock strained against the TARDIS’s defiance.
“She’s scared,” the Doctor said, his voice calm but urgent. “You need to ease off the Lock. Give her some room to breathe.”
Shaderake’s voice boomed over the intercom. “If we reduce the Lock, she’ll break free.”
“And if you don’t, she’ll implode!” the Doctor snapped, his voice echoing through the chamber.
Emerald raised a hand, silencing the argument. “Shaderake, back the Lockdown by ten percent. Let’s see what happens.”
There was a tense pause before the hum of the Titan’s Lock softened slightly. The TARDIS’s lights dimmed in response, the ship settling as if soothed.
The Doctor exhaled in relief. “That’s it, old girl. Just breathe.”
As the TARDIS stabilized, the monitors around the hangar flickered, displaying an alien script. Pogger’s eyes widened as he deciphered it.
“This isn’t random,” he said. “She’s communicating.”
The Doctor stepped closer to the monitors, a grin breaking through his tension. “She’s trying to help. She’s giving you data—a warning about your Lock.”
Emerald’s tail swished as he frowned. “A warning? About what?”
The Doctor turned to him, his eyes blazing with intensity. “Your Lock is too strong. If you use it on anything else, you’ll tear a hole in reality itself. And trust me, you don’t want to deal with what comes crawling through.”
The hangar fell silent except for the faint hum of the Titan’s Lock. The alien script on the monitors shifted rapidly, a cascade of warnings and diagnostic data spilling across the screens. The TARDIS pulsed softly, as though exhausted but no longer struggling.
Emerald stared at the screens, his jaw tight. “A hole in reality? That ain’t the kind of mess we’re equipped to handle.”
Shaderake’s voice came through the intercom, crisp and skeptical. “Doctor, explain. Are you suggesting this containment method poses a greater risk than the anomaly itself?”
The Doctor adjusted his coat, stepping forward with an urgency that silenced the room. “Yes. The Titan’s Lock isn’t just anchoring reality—it’s suffocating it. Reality isn’t rigid; it’s fluid. Push too hard, and it’ll snap.”
Legion, standing near the TARDIS, raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly do we avoid that? Let your ship go?”
“Not entirely,” the Doctor said, his tone measured. “Give her some room to stabilize herself. She’s capable of far more control than this machine could ever hope to impose. Let me prove it.”
Shaderake’s reply was immediate. “No. We’re not risking containment for a theory. The Lock stays.”
Emerald’s tail flicked with agitation. He glanced at Pogger, then back to Shaderake’s camera feed. “Director, if he’s right and the Lock does more harm than good, we’ll be the ones left holdin’ the bag. Let me manage this. I’ll keep him on a short leash.”
The intercom crackled as Shaderake sighed. “Fine. But if anything goes wrong, it’s on your head, Emerald. Lower the Lock another twenty percent.”
The technicians worked quickly, reducing the Titan’s Lock’s intensity. The emitters dimmed, and the oppressive hum softened to a gentle thrumming. The TARDIS responded almost immediately, its lights glowing brighter. The vworp sound echoed faintly, but the ship remained grounded, as though it understood its limits.
“She’s cooperating,” Pogger observed, his ears twitching in surprise.
The Doctor smiled softly, resting a hand on the TARDIS. “Of course she is. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone—just wants to be free. She’s intelligent, more so than anything you’ve encountered.”
Emerald crossed his arms. “That’s all well and good, but she ain’t free yet. You got somethin’ to say about that data she’s spittin’ out?”
The Doctor’s expression darkened as he scanned the alien script still scrolling across the monitors. His face grew pale.
“Oh no,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Donna, standing near the edge of the room, frowned. “What? What is it this time?”
The Doctor turned to the group, his expression grim. “The Lock hasn’t just destabilized her—it’s drawn something else here. Something from the Void.”
As if on cue, the hangar shuddered violently. The air grew cold, and the walls of reality seemed to ripple like a mirage. Technicians scrambled to secure their equipment, alarms blaring across Site-7.
Legion barked orders to her team. “Epsilon-11, perimeter defense! If anything gets through, take it down!”
Emerald grabbed the Doctor by the collar, his green eyes blazing. “You didn’t think to mention this sooner?”
The Doctor pulled away, his voice urgent but steady. “I didn’t know! The Titan’s Lock must’ve acted like a beacon, attracting something from the Void. We need to deactivate it now!”
Shaderake’s voice cut through the chaos. “Negative. We can’t deactivate it without risking the TARDIS breaking containment entirely.”
“You don’t understand!” the Doctor shouted, his voice carrying a rare edge of desperation. “What’s coming isn’t bound by your containment protocols. It’ll tear through this site like paper.”
A deep, resonant hum filled the hangar as a tear appeared in the air, a jagged rift of pure darkness. From it, an amorphous, shimmering entity began to emerge. Its form shifted constantly, a chaotic blend of shadows and light. The temperature plummeted, and the Titan’s Lock flickered under the strain.
Dr. Pi stumbled backward, clutching his clipboard like a lifeline. “W-what is that?”
Ddouble’s usually calm demeanor cracked as he stared at the entity. “Something we’re not equipped to deal with, that’s for sure.”
The Doctor stepped forward, his voice steady but commanding. “That’s a Void Predator. It feeds on collapsing realities. If it fully materializes here, it’ll devour this site and everything in it.”
Emerald’s tail flicked anxiously, but his voice remained calm. “How do we stop it?”
The Doctor glanced at the TARDIS, then at the Titan’s Lock. “You let her go. She’s the only thing here that can push it back into the Void.”
Shaderake’s voice came through the intercom, cold and calculating. “Emerald, if we release the TARDIS, there’s no guarantee we can contain her again. Are you willing to take that risk?”
The Doctor turned to the intercom, his expression unwavering. “You don’t have a choice. Either you trust me, or you lose everything.”
Emerald glanced at Pogger, who nodded silently. Taking a deep breath, Emerald turned to the technicians. “You heard him. Shut down the Lock. Let her loose.”
Legion’s voice cut through the tension. “This better work, Emerald. If it doesn’t—”
“It will,” Emerald said firmly. “He knows what he’s doin’. And if he don’t, I’ll handle it.”
As the Titan’s Lock powered down, the TARDIS roared to life. Its lights flared brilliantly, and the vworp vworp sound filled the hangar. The Void Predator recoiled, its form flickering under the ship’s immense presence.
The Doctor ran to the TARDIS, throwing open its doors. “Come on, old girl. Show them what you can do!”
The TARDIS pulsed, releasing a wave of energy that surged toward the rift. The Void Predator shrieked, its form collapsing as the rift began to seal.
Emerald watched in awe, his hat tipped back. “Well, I’ll be damned. She’s really doin’ it.”
The hangar quieted as the rift closed, leaving no trace of the Void Predator. The TARDIS powered down, its lights dimming to a soft glow.
The Doctor stepped out, his expression weary but triumphant. “There. Crisis averted.”
Shaderake’s voice came through the intercom, grudgingly impressed. “Well done, Doctor. But don’t think this means we’re letting you go.”
Emerald smirked, tipping his hat. “He ain’t goin’ nowhere. Not yet, anyway.”
The Doctor met Emerald’s gaze, a spark of respect passing between them. “I suppose I’ll stay a little longer. After all, you lot are far more interesting than I gave you credit for.”
The rift had closed, the crackling energy dissipating into silence. The room was heavy with the weight of what had just transpired—an unspoken understanding between everyone present that they had narrowly avoided a catastrophe. Yet, even with the rift sealed, the sense of unease lingered in the air, a reminder that the event was only a small victory in a much larger, ongoing battle.
The Doctor and Donna stood near the center of the room, catching their breath, their eyes flicking to the containment chamber where the energy had once swirled and writhed. For a brief moment, it felt like they had won, like the storm had passed.
Emerald’s gaze never left the Doctor, his thoughts sharp and focused. The man before him might have saved them all by closing the rift, but the cost of his presence was undeniable. The Doctor was no stranger to breaking the rules, and now it seemed like the consequences were closing in.
Legion, Emerald’s mother, approached from the corner of the room, her steps deliberate and calm, but there was an unmistakable glint of authority in her eyes. She had been watching the Doctor with a guarded intensity since he had arrived, and now, it was time for the next step in dealing with the aftermath.
“Doctor,” Legion said, her voice cold and commanding, “you may have closed the rift, but you’ve caused more than enough chaos in our reality. It’s time we discussed your… placement.”
The Doctor’s eyes darted to her, a hint of recognition flashing across his face. He had dealt with authoritarian figures before, but something in Legion’s tone told him this would be different. “I’m not here for a prison tour,” he replied, his tone wry, though there was an edge of tension that belied his usual bravado.
Donna, standing a little behind him, crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t have to lock us up, you know. We’re not the bad guys here. We helped.” Her voice was defiant, but there was a flicker of concern beneath the words. They had saved everyone, and she didn’t like the idea of being treated like criminals now.
Emerald, his arms crossed over his chest, watched the exchange closely. “You think you’re walking away from this, Doctor?” His voice was calm, but there was steel in it. His gaze locked onto the Doctor’s with a focused intensity that mirrored his growing frustration. “You’ve done a lot of good here, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still an unpredictable element.”
Legion gave a sharp nod, confirming Emerald’s words. “You and your companion are a threat to this organization, Doctor. Whether you mean to be or not, the risk you pose is too great. We can’t afford to let you walk free.”
The Doctor’s usual confident smirk faded slightly, though he didn’t flinch. “I’m not the enemy here,” he insisted, his tone growing more serious. “I came here to stop a catastrophe, and I did that. What you don’t understand is that this isn’t just about containment—this is about what might happen next. You can lock me up, but that won’t stop what’s coming. The rift wasn’t the only thing pulling at the fabric of this reality. You’re playing with forces you don’t fully comprehend.”
Emerald stepped forward, his boots clicking sharply on the metal floor as he moved closer to the Doctor. “You think you understand everything? This isn’t about us. It’s about you—your unpredictability, your lack of respect for the consequences. You might have closed the rift, but you’ve put everything at risk by being here.”
Donna, who had been quietly watching the tension unfold, raised her voice in protest. “This is mad. We’re not your enemy! We closed the rift! Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Legion gave her a cold glance, a silent command in her eyes. “Arsonist. Ddouble. Move them to containment.”
The words were like a final sentence. Emerald watched as Arsonist, with her calm yet lethal demeanor, stepped forward to stand beside Legion. The tension in the room was palpable as Arsonist locked eyes with Donna before signaling to the guards to begin escorting them.
Dr. Ddouble, his usual disorganized nature absent, now wore a grim expression as he moved toward the Doctor and Donna, his hands ready to enforce Legion’s orders. There was something in his gaze—a quiet understanding that none of them had been prepared for the ripple effects of what they had just faced.
“Come on,” Ddouble said, his voice uncharacteristically firm. “No more arguing. You’ve done your part. Now we need to make sure nothing else breaches that rift.” He moved forward, stepping in sync with the guards who flanked the Doctor and Donna.
The Doctor, ever the optimist even in dire circumstances, gave a half-hearted shrug. “Well, I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. Though I did think I’d have a little more time before you locked me up.”
Donna wasn’t so willing to accept this fate so easily. “You can’t be serious!” she snapped, her face a mixture of disbelief and anger. “We helped you! You were about to destroy everything, and we closed the rift! And now we get a cage?”
Legion’s eyes were unyielding. “You’ve caused a breach in our security by being here. And until we understand the full extent of the damage, you are a liability.”
As Arsonist and Ddouble moved to guide them toward the holding cells, Emerald couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. He wasn’t entirely sure if locking the Doctor and Donna away was the right call—but it was the only option they had left. The Doctor had a tendency to create chaos wherever he went, and that chaos was a luxury they could no longer afford.
“Take them to the cells,” Emerald said quietly, his voice colder than usual. “I’ll deal with the fallout later.”
With that, the Doctor and Donna were escorted through the corridors of Site-7, their freedom temporarily lost. The door to the containment chamber clanged shut behind them, the echo resonating in the stillness of the facility. Emerald exhaled slowly, his gaze lingering on the empty space where they had stood just moments before.
The rift was closed, but the consequences of its existence remained.
The sterile walls of Site-7 hummed with a quiet tension, a low, almost imperceptible vibration that seemed to resonate through the very air. Emerald stood alone in the observation room, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the holding cells where the Doctor and Donna were now imprisoned. The rift had been sealed, the immediate threat neutralized, but the deeper implications of their arrival still loomed large. Emerald’s thoughts swirled—there was so much more to this than just a simple breach. There were layers upon layers of secrets, and for once, he didn’t have all the answers.
Behind him, the door opened with a soft hiss. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
“You’re still thinking about them, aren’t you?” Dr. Ddouble’s voice carried an undertone of concern, but also a quiet understanding. He stepped into the room, his usual disheveled self, though there was a certain seriousness to him now that had not been there before.
Emerald turned, meeting Ddouble’s eyes. He nodded slowly. “I can’t help it. We’ve contained them for now, but the Doctor’s not someone you can just lock away without consequences. I’ve seen the way he works. He might be a pain, but he’s brilliant—and dangerous. And Donna... she’s no less of a wild card.”
Ddouble sighed and leaned against the wall. “You’re right. But at least we’ve got them under control. For now.”
There was a moment of silence before Emerald spoke again. His voice was soft, thoughtful. “Do you ever wonder if we’re making the right choices, Ddouble? All of this... locking people up, controlling things we don’t fully understand. What if we’re just making things worse in the long run?”
Dr. Ddouble looked at him, his tired eyes flicking to the containment cells. “We do what we have to do to protect the Foundation. We don’t have the luxury of doubt, Emerald. The world outside these walls doesn’t stop spinning. And if we don’t act, there’s no telling what could happen.”
Emerald turned back toward the cells, watching the figures of the Doctor and Donna through the reinforced glass. The Doctor was pacing now, hands running through his hair, a flicker of restlessness in his movements. Donna stood by the bars of her own cell, her arms crossed, her expression hard. Emerald could feel the weight of their collective potential—dangerous, unpredictable, yet undeniably capable.
Legion entered the observation room then, her presence commanding the room immediately. She had been by Emerald’s side throughout the operation, ever watchful, ever vigilant. She didn’t need to say much to get her point across. Her eyes told him everything.
“You know, don’t you?” Emerald said, his voice quiet, but with an edge of understanding. “You know we can't keep them here forever.”
Legion’s gaze softened only slightly, a flicker of something fleeting passing between them. “I know,” she said. “But for now, this is where they belong. As much as we want to believe we can trust them, the risks are too great. It’s not about right or wrong anymore. It’s about control.”
Emerald exhaled slowly, his breath steady but laden with the weight of the decision. "I get it. I do. But it doesn’t make it any easier."
Later that night, as the dim lights of Site-7 flickered and hummed, the Doctor and Donna were escorted from their cells. Arsonist, silent and unyielding as ever, stood guard as Legion, Emerald, and Dr. Ddouble watched from the command room. The walls of the facility felt thicker now, as though they were closing in around everyone inside. It was only a matter of time before something else would come up—another breach, another anomaly to fix. They couldn’t afford distractions.
The Doctor’s eyes flashed with curiosity as he was led into the room, his hands cuffed but his posture unbowed. He’d given up on trying to talk his way out of it—at least for now. Donna walked beside him, her eyes hard, a quiet fire burning behind her gaze.
“Alright,” the Doctor spoke first, his voice cutting through the silence, “so now you’ve got me locked in your little containment facility. I suppose you think that’s going to solve everything, don’t you?”
Emerald crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re not the problem, Doctor. It’s what you bring with you. The TARDIS. Your technology. Your unpredictability. We can’t risk it.”
Donna snorted in disbelief. “You think locking us up is going to keep you safe? We helped! We saved your rift, closed it. And now you want to treat us like criminals? After everything we've done?”
Emerald’s eyes softened briefly, but the truth remained. “I’m doing what’s best for everyone. Including you.”
Legion moved forward, her gaze cold but focused. “We’ve contained the immediate threat. We’re not here to punish you. We just need to make sure this doesn’t escalate.”
The Doctor’s gaze flicked from Emerald to Legion, his brow furrowing slightly as he weighed his options. He’d dealt with containment before. He’d been locked in worse places than this. But the truth was, he didn’t care about being locked away. He cared about what might happen next.
And that was something only the Foundation could help with now.
“You’re right about one thing,” the Doctor said after a long pause, his voice quieter now. “The rift’s closed. But it won’t be the last. There’s always something else lurking, always something else waiting. The question is: Will you be ready?”
Emerald met his gaze with the same quiet resolve he’d had since the beginning. “We will be. And we’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
The next morning, the Doctor and Donna were escorted to a more secure holding area. They wouldn’t be leaving Site-7 anytime soon. The team continued its work, analyzing the data, preparing for whatever else might emerge from the depths of the unknown.
Emerald stood at the observation window once more, his mind heavy with the burden of leadership. This wasn’t a job he had asked for, but it was one he had inherited. The fate of Site-7, and the world, was in his hands. The Doctor’s warning rang in his ears, but he refused to let doubt creep in. They’d handled the rift. They could handle whatever came next.
Legion stepped up beside him, her presence unspoken but felt.
“You made the right call,” she said, her voice steady. "Sometimes, we do what’s necessary. Not what's easy.”
Emerald nodded, his gaze still focused on the cells where the Doctor and Donna now sat in silence.
The world was full of unknowns, full of danger. But for now, Site-7 was secure. The chains had been broken, and the future, though uncertain, was theirs to shape.
And they would be ready. Together.
End of Story