Chapter 2 - By Invitation Only
Jun. 21st, 2005 02:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
seren_ccdChapter 2
Chapter 2
The Doctor, Jack and Rose stepped out of the Tardis onto dusty wooden floors. Rose looked around. They appeared to have landed inside a small house. Rows of shelves sporting supplies like food, clothes and other traveling equipment filled the room. Rose wrinkled her nose. It smelled like the basement of Henrik's, only mustier. The Doctor walked through the rows confidently. Rose and Jack walked a little ways behind, Jack humming absently. Rose made a face and looked at him.
"You are not humming Ricky Martin!" she whispered. Jack grinned.
"The man is considered a god in the 51st century," he said. "Just give him a chance. You'll be a believer in no time."
Rose gagged and hurried to catch up with the Doctor.
A nondescript counter was situated near a large wooden door. The Doctor strode to the counter where a small man with a white beard and a tanned face was shining a pair of boots.
"Hello," the Doctor said cheerfully. "I've got an invitation."
The shopkeeper looked up. He set the boots down on the counter and got to his feet.
"Have you now?" he said in a friendly voice. "Let's have a look."
"Oh," the Doctor said with a slight frown. He began to search his pockets. "Should be here somewhere..."
Rose sighed and Jack snickered.
"Not a word," the Doctor said sternly, still searching. "Ah ha! Knew it was here somewhere."
He pulled out a rumpled dark blue piece of paper. "Here you go."
The little man took the paper from the Doctor and squinted his eyes. Then, he began to pat his pockets.
"Where are those spectacles?" he asked himself.
The Doctor turned around and gave Rose and Jack a smug look. They both rolled their eyes.
"Okay, let's see," the little man said with a pair of spectacles perched on his nose. "Invitation to Adventure Planet for the Doctor. Are you the Doctor?"
"Hello!" the Doctor replied with a wave.
"Alright. Says here, you are invited to participate in the Nemorosus Quest. You are allowed a small team and a specific selection of supplies," the man continued. "I will provide you with a map that you must follow precisely."
"Can you tell me what the quest is for?" the Doctor asked. "Are we looking for something in particular?"
The little man looked surprised.
"Why, yes," he said. "You are looking for the Degero Ring. It has been hidden for centuries somewhere on the planet of Nemorosus. No one knows its true purpose. People have been seeking it always. Most gave up, for the path is treacherous and the challenges are difficult. Only those truly possessing great knowledge are invited to participate."
While Jack and Rose exchanged slightly worried looks, the Doctor didn't seem impressed.
"Well," he said. "I do possess a great amount of knowledge, so point us in the right direction and we'll be off."
The Doctor turned and saw the concerned looks on his companions' faces. He frowned.
"You know," he said walking over to them. "You wanted adventure. We're getting adventure. The kind where you have to be on your toes and we have to work together completely. This is pure, dangerous, challenging adventure."
He grinned that manic grin of his. "The best kind of adventure."
Slowly, Rose found herself matching his grin.
"Well," she said. "This is the reason I came with you in the first place."
Jack smiled. "I'm not one to say 'no' to a little danger. Or a reward at the end of it."
Jack looked at Rose. "Think we can handle this, angel?"
Rose looked back at him. "I think the better question is, if the old guy over there can handle it?"
"Oi!" the Doctor said still grinning. "You're only as old as you feel and I feel like taking on the world, so you two had best keep up."
The Doctor spun around to the shopkeeper. "When do we start?"
The little man smiled and came around the counter. "We need to get you outfitted first and get your packs together."
An hour later saw the Doctor, Jack and Rose sporting backpacks that carried various supplies: sleeping bags, matches, torches, food, and a compass or two. Jack, after several trips to the dressing room, finally emerged in olive green cargo pants and fitted black t-shirt. He kept his already worn in combat boots. After browsing through the shelves a bit more, he selected several ropes of varying lengths and strengths.
Rose emerged from the dressing rooms wearing khaki cargo pants and a light-weight white blouse over a fitted white undershirt. After trying on pair after pair of walking boots, she finally refused, saying her trainers were the only things she was putting on her feet.
The Doctor kept his jacket, green jumper, Doc Martens, and black jeans.
The entire time they were picking out their clothes and getting their supplies together, Rose felt her excitement growing. Her stomach was churning and she couldn't keep still. Jack couldn't stop checking their packs and the Doctor just watched the two of them with that grin on his face.
The shopkeeper watched the three of them with barely concealed delight, until he couldn't take it anymore.
"I have to say," he said. "It has been a long, long time since I have seen people so happy to be here. Most of the time, they are so serious and business-like. They forget the best part of the quest is the journey, not the prize. Take for example your competition. Never a more serious group have I ever seen."
The trio stopped.
"Competition?" Rose asked. "What do you mean competition?"
"Oh," the little man replied. "You aren't the only ones going on this quest. Another group has been here for awhile getting ready to leave. In fact, I think they are setting off today."
The shopkeeper watched as the Doctor and Jack exchanged glances. He quickly added:
"Now, don't worry. You are given different maps and paths to follow. You shouldn't run into each other, most likely."
"Who are they?" Jack asked as the door opened and group of five men entered.
The shopkeeper nodded at the newcomers. The Doctor, Jack and Rose turned around to face their competition.
Dressed all in immaculate and expensive gear, the men stood at attention, eying up the trio. Three of the men appeared to be the muscle of the group. They had features so identical to the other, Rose was sure she would never be able to tell them apart. Big and imposing, they towered over the other two. One man wore little wire-rimmed glasses and was shorter than the rest. Looking slightly out of place among the others, Rose was reminded of Mr. Flannery, her primary school science teacher. She could just hear this man lecturing a bunch of uninterested school-kids about photosynthesis.
It was the last man, the obvious leader, that worried Rose. He was about Jack's height and build, but without any of the Time Agent's warmth and life. He studied the three of them with dark brown eyes. Rose shuddered inwardly a little, reminded all of a sudden of Van Statten.
"This must be the other group we have been waiting for," the dark-eyed man said with a strong North American accent.
"Yep," the Doctor said in a fake friendly voice. "I'm the Doctor. These are my companions Captain Jack Harkness and Rose Tyler."
Jack murmured to Rose, "We need to get you a title."
"Tell me about it," she murmured back.
"So nice to make the acquaintance of men of such stature and a lady of such beauty," the man said smoothly. "I am Roland Callahan. This is Dr. Henry Smith. And my assistants, the Brothers MacKensie. Don't bother trying to tell them apart. I doubt they can themselves. "
Callahan finished with a smile that lacked any trace of humor and just stared at the Doctor. Rose shifted her weight.
"Well!" the Doctor said cheerfully. "We best head on. Not much daylight left and we need to make a good start. Looking forward to the journey."
"Just the journey?" Callahan replied raising his eyebrows. "Surely, the acquiring of the Degero Ring is something to be - looking forward to. Wouldn't you say - Doctor, was it?"
"Yep, just the Doctor," the Doctor said. "And, I often find that the prize at the end of the path, isn't always what it seems to be. Beside, we're just looking for a little adventure and fun."
Callahan smiled again. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find it. I have no doubt of that."
With a nod to Jack and a little bow to Rose, Callahan and his men filed out of the door.
"Well," the Doctor said. "He seemed nice. We need to get moving."
Jack and Rose stared at him helplessly, but gathered up their packs and after a brief good-bye and good luck from the shopkeeper, they headed out of the store.
Chapter 2
The Doctor, Jack and Rose stepped out of the Tardis onto dusty wooden floors. Rose looked around. They appeared to have landed inside a small house. Rows of shelves sporting supplies like food, clothes and other traveling equipment filled the room. Rose wrinkled her nose. It smelled like the basement of Henrik's, only mustier. The Doctor walked through the rows confidently. Rose and Jack walked a little ways behind, Jack humming absently. Rose made a face and looked at him.
"You are not humming Ricky Martin!" she whispered. Jack grinned.
"The man is considered a god in the 51st century," he said. "Just give him a chance. You'll be a believer in no time."
Rose gagged and hurried to catch up with the Doctor.
A nondescript counter was situated near a large wooden door. The Doctor strode to the counter where a small man with a white beard and a tanned face was shining a pair of boots.
"Hello," the Doctor said cheerfully. "I've got an invitation."
The shopkeeper looked up. He set the boots down on the counter and got to his feet.
"Have you now?" he said in a friendly voice. "Let's have a look."
"Oh," the Doctor said with a slight frown. He began to search his pockets. "Should be here somewhere..."
Rose sighed and Jack snickered.
"Not a word," the Doctor said sternly, still searching. "Ah ha! Knew it was here somewhere."
He pulled out a rumpled dark blue piece of paper. "Here you go."
The little man took the paper from the Doctor and squinted his eyes. Then, he began to pat his pockets.
"Where are those spectacles?" he asked himself.
The Doctor turned around and gave Rose and Jack a smug look. They both rolled their eyes.
"Okay, let's see," the little man said with a pair of spectacles perched on his nose. "Invitation to Adventure Planet for the Doctor. Are you the Doctor?"
"Hello!" the Doctor replied with a wave.
"Alright. Says here, you are invited to participate in the Nemorosus Quest. You are allowed a small team and a specific selection of supplies," the man continued. "I will provide you with a map that you must follow precisely."
"Can you tell me what the quest is for?" the Doctor asked. "Are we looking for something in particular?"
The little man looked surprised.
"Why, yes," he said. "You are looking for the Degero Ring. It has been hidden for centuries somewhere on the planet of Nemorosus. No one knows its true purpose. People have been seeking it always. Most gave up, for the path is treacherous and the challenges are difficult. Only those truly possessing great knowledge are invited to participate."
While Jack and Rose exchanged slightly worried looks, the Doctor didn't seem impressed.
"Well," he said. "I do possess a great amount of knowledge, so point us in the right direction and we'll be off."
The Doctor turned and saw the concerned looks on his companions' faces. He frowned.
"You know," he said walking over to them. "You wanted adventure. We're getting adventure. The kind where you have to be on your toes and we have to work together completely. This is pure, dangerous, challenging adventure."
He grinned that manic grin of his. "The best kind of adventure."
Slowly, Rose found herself matching his grin.
"Well," she said. "This is the reason I came with you in the first place."
Jack smiled. "I'm not one to say 'no' to a little danger. Or a reward at the end of it."
Jack looked at Rose. "Think we can handle this, angel?"
Rose looked back at him. "I think the better question is, if the old guy over there can handle it?"
"Oi!" the Doctor said still grinning. "You're only as old as you feel and I feel like taking on the world, so you two had best keep up."
The Doctor spun around to the shopkeeper. "When do we start?"
The little man smiled and came around the counter. "We need to get you outfitted first and get your packs together."
An hour later saw the Doctor, Jack and Rose sporting backpacks that carried various supplies: sleeping bags, matches, torches, food, and a compass or two. Jack, after several trips to the dressing room, finally emerged in olive green cargo pants and fitted black t-shirt. He kept his already worn in combat boots. After browsing through the shelves a bit more, he selected several ropes of varying lengths and strengths.
Rose emerged from the dressing rooms wearing khaki cargo pants and a light-weight white blouse over a fitted white undershirt. After trying on pair after pair of walking boots, she finally refused, saying her trainers were the only things she was putting on her feet.
The Doctor kept his jacket, green jumper, Doc Martens, and black jeans.
The entire time they were picking out their clothes and getting their supplies together, Rose felt her excitement growing. Her stomach was churning and she couldn't keep still. Jack couldn't stop checking their packs and the Doctor just watched the two of them with that grin on his face.
The shopkeeper watched the three of them with barely concealed delight, until he couldn't take it anymore.
"I have to say," he said. "It has been a long, long time since I have seen people so happy to be here. Most of the time, they are so serious and business-like. They forget the best part of the quest is the journey, not the prize. Take for example your competition. Never a more serious group have I ever seen."
The trio stopped.
"Competition?" Rose asked. "What do you mean competition?"
"Oh," the little man replied. "You aren't the only ones going on this quest. Another group has been here for awhile getting ready to leave. In fact, I think they are setting off today."
The shopkeeper watched as the Doctor and Jack exchanged glances. He quickly added:
"Now, don't worry. You are given different maps and paths to follow. You shouldn't run into each other, most likely."
"Who are they?" Jack asked as the door opened and group of five men entered.
The shopkeeper nodded at the newcomers. The Doctor, Jack and Rose turned around to face their competition.
Dressed all in immaculate and expensive gear, the men stood at attention, eying up the trio. Three of the men appeared to be the muscle of the group. They had features so identical to the other, Rose was sure she would never be able to tell them apart. Big and imposing, they towered over the other two. One man wore little wire-rimmed glasses and was shorter than the rest. Looking slightly out of place among the others, Rose was reminded of Mr. Flannery, her primary school science teacher. She could just hear this man lecturing a bunch of uninterested school-kids about photosynthesis.
It was the last man, the obvious leader, that worried Rose. He was about Jack's height and build, but without any of the Time Agent's warmth and life. He studied the three of them with dark brown eyes. Rose shuddered inwardly a little, reminded all of a sudden of Van Statten.
"This must be the other group we have been waiting for," the dark-eyed man said with a strong North American accent.
"Yep," the Doctor said in a fake friendly voice. "I'm the Doctor. These are my companions Captain Jack Harkness and Rose Tyler."
Jack murmured to Rose, "We need to get you a title."
"Tell me about it," she murmured back.
"So nice to make the acquaintance of men of such stature and a lady of such beauty," the man said smoothly. "I am Roland Callahan. This is Dr. Henry Smith. And my assistants, the Brothers MacKensie. Don't bother trying to tell them apart. I doubt they can themselves. "
Callahan finished with a smile that lacked any trace of humor and just stared at the Doctor. Rose shifted her weight.
"Well!" the Doctor said cheerfully. "We best head on. Not much daylight left and we need to make a good start. Looking forward to the journey."
"Just the journey?" Callahan replied raising his eyebrows. "Surely, the acquiring of the Degero Ring is something to be - looking forward to. Wouldn't you say - Doctor, was it?"
"Yep, just the Doctor," the Doctor said. "And, I often find that the prize at the end of the path, isn't always what it seems to be. Beside, we're just looking for a little adventure and fun."
Callahan smiled again. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find it. I have no doubt of that."
With a nod to Jack and a little bow to Rose, Callahan and his men filed out of the door.
"Well," the Doctor said. "He seemed nice. We need to get moving."
Jack and Rose stared at him helplessly, but gathered up their packs and after a brief good-bye and good luck from the shopkeeper, they headed out of the store.
