[video]

[newguy]

[There's a bit of wavering as the image is centered on its subject. It's not complete ineptitude, but there's definitely a 'oh man, nessie?' feel to the jerking camera motions.]

Right, now, don't move--

[The subject is certainly not going to move....considering that it's dead. It looks like a triceratops, and Steve approaches it slowly.]

I got all the nutcase broadcasts--present and accounted for, yeah, no one's lying, I get it--but who's going to actually explain this thing?

Or me, you know? I'd settle for someone explaining me. Last time I checked, I wasn't supposed to have a pulse.

But then, neither were these guys.

Comments

Video

[newguy]

There are other places to be from?

[Definite groan, here]

Okay, so something filled a spaceship with pods of should-be-dead humans and filled a planet with dinosaurs. I mean, dinosaurs are cool and all when they're not trying to eat you, but...a lot of them try to eat you, and I don't think my weapon has a setting for "mutant bloodthirty carnivorous rhino." There's definitely not a setting for dinosaur. [He checked, because he knows better than to underestimate Claudia. But then, he's not a total idiot, and he's seen a lot of strange things in the Warehouse, so...]

I'm from Earth, yeah. 2011. No stasis pods that I know of. Do we know what's causing this?

[thecricketer]

When you put it like that it all sounds rather absurd, doesn't it? [If anything, the Doctor sounds rather cheerful about it, though there's a strained quality to it.]

We've been exploring the ship, but we've found no evidence of its crew. It's quite possible this planet wasn't their destination at all.

[His voice softens, then, his expression one of quiet concern.] You're absolutely certain you ought to be dead?

[newguy]

Um, pretty certain. Everyone else in my position ended up dead.

[And he'd felt it, behind that 'thank you for everything you've done.' It had been subtle, yes, but there had been a finality to it, the honesty of certain finality.]

I was injected with something that killed everyone else in my position. I don't know why I'd be put in a pod at all...there were way more qualified people than me, assuming that people could be taken from any point in time.

[Steve frowns, glances back at the dinosaur]

Are we talking about aliens or something? Because we haven't done that stuff yet, back where I'm from. And if there was something to resurrect dinosaurs, I'm pretty sure I would have heard about it.

[Not because he was qualified, of course, but because seriously...could Claudia keep her mouth shut about something as cool as that?]

[thecricketer]

I'm very sorry. [It could have sounded like a trite, empty thing, but the Doctor's words are achingly sincere.]

It's possible humans from your future - or, rather, a future - have orchestrated this. I find it more likely that several races collaborated.

[then, with a wan smile] It's an honour to be your first, by the way.

[newguy]

No, no, don't be sorry. I knew what I was getting into. I mean, I didn't want do die or anything, but if things worked out the way they were supposed to, it was for the best. If anything, I'm just glad it's over.

I still don't get why some future humanity would pick me to stick in a pod. I worked with people who'd be way better at populating strange worlds. In fact, I'm pretty much the opposite of qualified on that--

Wait. My first alien? Like, from another planet?

[If boggling minds could make a sound...but then, this guy isn't lying, and considering that Steve is currently standing next to a dead dinosaur, his view on sanity has become pretty liberal.]

You know, I don't even want to know. Where are we supposed to go from here?

[thecricketer]

[His smile is soft, and a bit sad.] I'm glad for that, then. It's - always easier, knowing you died for something you believed in.

I wouldn't sell yourself short. You seem quite a fascinating fellow to me.

[The Doctor flashes him a brief grin.]

And yes. Gallifrey, to be exact.

[It fades as he shakes his head.] We were attempting to gather intel and pool our resources, but that was interrupted by the wild fire and ensuing stampede. Our efforts are focused on rescue and reconstruction, at the moment.

[newguy]

So, wait. Is Gallifrey your name, or your planet?

I'm Steve, by the way. Steve Jinks.

Just tell me what there is to do. I'm a normal guy, not especially strong or anything, but I can do rescue and reconstruction if people need it.

[thecricketer]

My planet. I'm known as the Doctor.

[Grin!] It's a pleasure, Steve, despite the circumstances.

Are you still near the ship?