Episode 1: Conner Part 4

“We want to hire you,” Araknin said.

The Doctor looked suspicious.

“The reason we are invading Earth is because of a war on our home planet. Our army fled, to look for another home,” Araknin reminisced sadly.
“So you thought you’d murder everyone on this planet, and then sleep in their beds? But why the quick tactic?” the Doctor asked.
“We’re not sure what you mean,” Velox said.
“I mean, why not hide on Earth, integrate yourselves and then invade?” the Doctor asked.
“We fled from our war, with very few supplies. We are running out; everything needs to be rationed.”
“Oh I see. Invade quickly before your people catch up with you, and you’re shot for cowardice,” the Doctor noted.
“That is why we need you, Doctor! Together, we could be great. Say you’ll help us,” Araknin begged.
“On one condition, that you leave this planet in peace! I’ll find you an empty one. Of life, I mean.”

Conner and Georgia reach the ship. They begin to walk forwards, but then the arms of the ship rear up.

“Oh, shi-” Conner cried, before diving to the right.

Georgia runs to the left, as one of the legs smacks down.

“Come on. Ahh!” Georgia screams.

Georgia is lifted off of her feet by a leg. Conner runs towards her, nearly being squashed himself, and grabs her ankles. Pulling her back down, the two run to the door of the spaceship. Conner tries to open the door, but it’s locked. He jumps out of the way as Georgia shoulders the door open.

“And there was me, ready for the silent approach,” Conner muttered.
“We’re in, aren’t we? Honestly,” Georgia whispered back.

She walks into the ship, and straight into an Octopli.
Zac leaves his house, just as an Octopli stalks past the front gate. He runs back inside, and notices his laptop. He stuffs it into his backpack, just in case.

“You never know when you might need something,” Zac said.

He walks outside, and dives behind his wheelie bin.

“What are these creatures? Another invasion. Where’s Torchwood when you need it?” Zac asked quietly.

Zac runs down his road, and down many others. He reaches Conner’s street, and runs down it. When he reaches Conner’s house, he gasps. All of the windows are smashed, and most of the front of Conner’s house is falling off.

“Lucky his parents aren’t around to see that. I wonder how my parents are coping? I shouldn’t have left them in the house like that,” Zac muttered.

He runs into the house over a pile of rubble. The house itself is empty. The only noise is the TV, which is still on.

“We interrupt this probably interesting TV program with some breaking news. Eight-legged monsters are attacking London. We urge people to stay in their homes. We have reports that workers on the Spidership are asking to come back to their loved ones. Thank you. That is all. Now back to day time TV,” the English newsreader reported.

Zac walks over to the TV. He notices a long, thin tube and picks it up off the floor.

“Weird.”

Picking up his backpack, he walks outside.

“Footprints! Conner, here I come!” Zac cried.

As Georgia walks into the Octopli’s arms, Conner ducks behind a box, and isn’t seen.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” the Octopli Guard asked menacingly.
“Someone who understands personal hygiene. Do you ever wash your hands? You smell of oil!” Georgia answered back.
“You weren’t supposed to answer that,” the Guard mentioned.
“Oh,” Georgia looked dismayed.
“I’ll take you to see the boss. I’m sure he’ll be willing to see such a pretty girl,” the Guard laughs.
“If you lay one hand on me where I’m not happy with, you’ll be on the floor before you can say WOW! Got it buster?” Georgia asked.

The Octopli doesn’t answer. He pulls Georgia into a long, dark room. An old Octopli is sat on a throne, and Velox is stood by the Doctor.

“I’ve been kidnapped, but at least Georgia is safe. Oh well, never mind, I suppose. Anyway, these Octopli aren’t too bad, they just want a war. Oops. I mean home,” the Doctor said.
“Err, Doctor- London Bridge is falling down, falling down, London Bridge is falling down, but Conner’s out there,” Georgia sings.
“Ah he’s still here. That’s good, I like him,” the Doctor said.
“Enough!” Velox cried.
“Well, you have to do what I say, if you want to help us,” the Doctor cried back.

He stood up, and motioned to Georgia. She passed him her phone. He dials several numbers, and holds it up to his ear.

“U.N.I.T.? Yes, can I speak to Colonel Mace? Oh, hello. What’s happening there? You’re being attacked? Is that guns I can hear? It is, oh bye then…” he trails off.
“Was that U.N.I.T. by any chance?” Georgia asked.
“Yes, but they’re under attack,” the Doctor replied “I need to try Torchwood.”

He picks up the phone.

“Hello. Gwen Cooper? Is Jack there? It’s the Doctor. Tell him- Oh, he knows. What? No, the Octopli aren’t in Cardiff. You’ve got problems of your own? Like what? Oh,” the Doctor falls silent.
“Jack, get the machine guns!” Gwen can be heard saying quietly from the phone.

The Doctor lowers the phone. In the background, heavy machine gun firing can be heard.

“Put the phone down, Doctor,” Velox ordered.

“I don’t have to. You need me. I want to see if my friends are OK,” the Doctor replies.

Velox looks angry, and steps forward.

“Do as he says Commander,” Araknin orders.
“No, I don’t think we will. I have a better plan, sir,” Velox counters.

His legs fly at Georgia. One wraps around her head, and another grabs her around her knees.

“Now do as we say! You must help us destroy Earth, or she dies!” Velox yelled, full of rage.

Zac steps up to the Octopli ship. The legs start to rise up. Zac looks terrified. Conner is still crouching behind the boxes, thinking of a plan, when Zac creeps in.

“Conner?” Zac asked.
“Zac! Over here!” Conner whispers.

Zac ducks behind the boxes too. He holds up the Sonic Screwdriver.

“Any idea what this is? I found it by your telly,” Zac asked.
“It must be the Doctor’s,” Conner replied.
“Who is he?” Zac asked.
“The Doctor. Duh,” Conner replied.
“Doctor Who?” Zac asked.

Conner stands up, with bent knees.

“C’mon, we’re gonna go to their labs,” Conner mutters “all sorts of stuff happens in labs.”

Zac also stands up, and they creep along behind boxes, until they reach a room bearing the legend: ‘Octopli Laboratories’.

“Here it is!” Zac mutters excitedly.
“You think?” Conner asked sarcastically.

Then an Octopli steps out of the room. Conner and Zac duck behind the door frame, and Conner huddles into the corner. The Octopi leaves. Conner and Zac run into the now deserted room. The room is a sterile white, full of experiments, which steam and hiss.

“This looks good!” Conner mutters, pointing to a purple substance.
“Why, because of all the safety equipment and suits?” Zac asked sarcastically.
“No, because it’s called Hudson!” Conner cried.
“They obviously can’t touch this stuff,” Zac mentions.

Zac pulls out his laptop. He turns it on and opens a slot in the laptop’s side.

“Give me some of that stuff,” Zac asked.

Conner reaches in experimentally and pulls out a handful of Hudson. Zac places it on the slot and closes it. Conner looks quizzical.

“Personal CSI kit,” Zac murmurs quietly.
“Geek,” Conner said, looking slightly proud of his friend.
“Apparently, this substance-” Zac begins.
“Called Hudson!” Conner laughs.

“Yes, anyway… Hudson was developed by Torchwood as a quicker way to remove oil spills from the sea. The Octopli are tampering with it to try and make it give oil quickly to the eater. But at the moment it would kill them, probably,” Zac finishes.
“Great, we have a weapon,” Conner grins “Conner and co. - 1, Aliens - 0.”

To be continued…