Doctor Who: The Killing Frost
CHAPTER 2: A Chilling Experience
“Right!” The Doctor exclaimed, “You stay here. I’m going to have a quick look about.” He ran over to the chair and shrugged back into his coat. . Martha stood staring for a second. She snorted. “Stay here and do what? Dust the Tardis console? Not on your life I’m not! I’m coming with you.” The Doctor stopped stock still. He ran his finger over the chair--it could do with a bit of dusting, actually. “The Tardis is self-cleaning.” He said defensively. Or, rather, it’s supposed to be.” He shrugged.
Looking seriously at her, he said. “It could be very dangerous. I don’t know what’s out there, yet. But something tells me, whatever it is, it’s not good.” Martha smiled. “Well, I didn’t come with you just for the witty conversation, you know.” She stared at him determinedly. Smiling suddenly, the Doctor gave in.
He sighed. “Oh alright, have it your way--" He frowned. "What's wrong with my conversation?" Martha just smiled an shook her head. "You mean, aside from the fact that you babble a million miles an hour, don't explain anything, and basically just do whatever you like without consulting anyone?" She chuckled. "Seriously, though? You're a fab conversationalist, really. We talk about things I never would have dreamed about discussing, before I met you." The Doctor appeased, grinned and said, "Okay then, let's go--" He pointed in the direction of the Tardis wardrobe, saying sternly, "But first, you’d better put some warmer clothes on.” Martha ran back down the Tardis hallway, to search for a coat. “And hurry up!” He called after her, needlessly.
Walking in the frosty night, the Doctor and Martha skirted around the lake. The Doctor pulled a little box from his pocket and began taking readings. Martha looked about. Despite the cold, she thought the surroundings quite lovely…the frost had rimed the leaves on the trees, making them seem like something out of an enchanted forest. Pity about the dead flowers, though, she thought to herself. Martha stooped down to look at a flower that had yet to wither--that’s when she saw the feet. She gave a start, and knelt down in the freezing earth, calling out “Doctor!”
The Doctor ran over and, seeing the body, knelt down beside her. She felt for a pulse--but the body was frozen solid. It was a blue-eyed blond haired young man, good looking, wearing a white tee shirt and running shorts. His eyes were wide open in a startled expression. At first there seemed to be no other trauma to the body, until the Doctor turned him over. On his back had been burned a red hole, but it didn’t seem to have penetrated the body.
Martha heard the Doctor gasp. She looked at him. “What? What is it, Doctor? What could have possibly left a mark like that? I’ve never seen anything like it before.” The Doctor’s expression was nothing less then incredulous. “No. It can’t be.” Martha was stared at the Doctor, than looked down once again at the very dead young man. “What? What did this to him? Was it alien?” He was silent, head bowed, his mind working furiously. “You’ve seen this before then?”
The Doctor looked at her, eyes wide. He bit his lip. “Yes. You’re right. It is alien. Or to be more specific, Martian.” Martha stared. “What? You’re joking right? You mean, Martian? Like Martian, Martian? Like little green men from mars, Martian? The Doctor nodded. “Not green, more…reptilian. But yes. Martian. The Doctor turned the boy back over and gently closed his eyes. Martha looked at the young man sadly. “He was so young, what could he have done to deserve this? And why? Who are these Martians of yours, Doctor?” He looked at her soberly. "They're..."
Just then, a blazing spear of light slashed the branches just above their heads. The Doctor and Martha looked up to see some ponderous figures moving towards them in the icy mist. The Doctor yelled, “Into the trees, quickly! Run!”
