Remembering the Forgotten [2] (The Parallel Series) ✓

42 - Two

"We're just a cargo ship." She told them turning around running a hand through her hair and breathing deeply.

"If you give her a minute." Scannell turned around with McDonnell.

McDonnell turned back around towards them. "I'm fine. I need to warn the crew." She walked up to the comm and spoke through it. "Everybody, listen to me. Something has infected Korwin. We think he killed Abi Lerner. None of you must go anywhere near him, is that clear?"

"Understood, Captain," Ashton replied. "Erina? Get back here with that equipment. He ordered.

McDonnell looked at Rita and the Doctor sitting on a step close to tears sighing she asked: "Is the infection permanent? Can you cure him?"

The Doctor looked at the woman sadly. "I don't know."

"Don't lie to me, Doctor. Eleven years we've been married. We chose this ship together. He keeps me honest, so I don't want false hope." She demanded the answer. Rita looked at the Doctor then back at McDonnell, sighed and sadly answered. "I'm sorry McDonnell. There isn't a way back, your husband is dead. That parasite is too strong and aggressive."

"Thank you." She nodded at the brunette wiping her now glassy eyes.

"Are you certain nothing happened to provoke this?" The Doctor asked. "Nobody's working on anything secret? Because it's vital that you tell us." He sternly reminded her.

"I know every inch of this ship." She snapped. "I know every detail of my crew's lives. There is nothing."

"Then why is this thing so interested in you?" He asked.

"I wish I knew." She sighed.

"Stone, Doctor, we're through to area seventeen," Martha informed them through the comm.

"Keep going you've got to get to area one and reboot those engines." The Doctor reminded her.

"McDonnell I'm only asking because sometimes the Doctor doesn't ask with the kindest voice, there is nothing you have done or know about that could have possibly brought that on board?" The brunette asked quietly trying to talk as calm and softly as she could.

"I know nothing of how it got on board." She breathed deeply trying to stay calm.

"Thank you." She nodded. "I'm sorry about him." Her eyes glanced over to the Doctor who had his back to her talking to Martha through the inter-comm. "He can just get a little worried sometimes, our ship is stuck and were heading towards the sun, even if he won't admit it I will for him."

"It's okay." She shrugged. "At least you guys have each other."

"Oh, you don't mean? Because we're not." She shook her head. "He's my best friend."

"You two are close." She pointed out.

"Yeah, I guess..." She looked over to him watching him talk then pulled her eyes away. "Right, best head back to engineering." She jumped up from where she was sitting beside McDonnell causing the woman to slightly jump at the sudden movement.

McDonnell then stood up as well, the Doctor placed down the comm and they headed back to engineering.

"Doctor!" They heard Martha screaming through a comm as they walked through the storage area.

"Doctor! Stone! We're stuck in an escape pod off the area seventeen airlock." She screamed. "One of the crew's trying to jettison us! You've got to help us! Tell me you can stop it."

"Why is this happening?" McDonnell asked.

"Stay here!" He shouted. "I mean it this time! Jump start those engines!" He sprinted out heading for Martha. Rita ran after him moving as fast as she could trying to get to her friend.