Parallel: From Another World [1] (The Parallel Series) ✓

The Age of Steel - Two

"We broke the inhibitor. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." The Doctor looked at the Cyberman sadly.

"Why so cold?" It repeated.

"Can you remember your name?" The Doctor asked trying to switch the conversation.

"Sally. Sally Phelan."

"That's a nice name Sally," Rita said softly trying to give the woman a peaceful death.

"You're a woman." Mrs Moore said in shock.

"Where's Gareth?" Sally asked.

"Who's Gareth?" Mrs Moore frowned a little.

"He can't see me. It's unlucky the night before," said Sally

It then suddenly clicked in Mrs Moores head. "You're getting married."

"I'm cold. I'm so cold." Sally cried out.

"It's all right. You sleep now, Sally. Just go to sleep." He placed the sonic screwdriver inside where the logo of Lumic's company once was and switched the Cyberman off letting Sally rest in as much peace as possible. Rita clung to his back feeling sorry for the woman's death.

"Sally Phelan didn't die for nothing because that's the key. The emotional inhibitor. If we could find the code behind it, the cancellation code, then feed it throughout the system into every Cyberman's head, they'd realise what they are." He told Mrs Moore sensing that Rita needed to calm down a little. He placed a hand behind his back and found hers gently squeezing a little letting her know it would be okay. Rita was never really the emotional type but the woman was practically murdered in cold blood.

"And what happens then?" Mrs Moore asked.

"I think it would kill them. Could we do that?"

"We've got to. Before they kill everyone else. There's no choice, Doctor. It's got to be done." Rita's eyes widened in realisation of what was about to happen. She had been too emotional to think and remember, too selfish and it was going to cost a life. "Doctor!" She shouted, but it was too late and the Cyberman grabbed Mrs Moores shoulder as she stood up killing her with all the volts pulsing through her body.

"No! No, you didn't have to kill her!" He shouted through gritted teeth while pushing Rita behind him pressing her up against his back so he knew she was there and safe.

"Sensors detect a binary vascular system. You are an unknown upgrade. You will be taken for analysis." It said not taking Rita's human vascular also known as the circulatory system into account.

The Doctor did as the Cyberman told him, to follow. He kept Rita close as the Cyberman took him and Rita to Lumic. "Anything?" He whispered to her while walking, keeping as quiet as possible.

"Not yet" She shook her head. He nodded and continued walking in silence the Cyberman's feet in time with what was now millions of other Cybermen marching, echoing the streets.

They walked into the room the Cybermen had taken them both too. Rose and Pete were next to a few computers. The Doctor began to speak sarcastically Rita rolling her eyes at him. "We've been captured, but don't worry, Rose and Pete are still out there. They can rescue us. Oh well, never mind." He walked over to them Rita following giving Rose a hug.

"You okay?" The Doctor asked her after Rita and Rose let go other each other.

She nodded a little sadly, "Yeah. But they got Jackie."

Pete looked up from where he was sitting, he looked lost. "We were too late. Lumic killed her."

"Then where is he, the famous Mister Lumic?" The Doctor looked at the Cybermen for an answer. "Don't we get the chance to meet our Lord and Master?" Rita shivered not knowing exactly why though as if a word triggered something.