#pete goes missing? oh wait hes stuck in a tree

[cleopatragirlie]

My favourite part of this totally 100% real documentary is when the people who get sent to pick Pete up are acting like he's missing and he's just frolicking in the field behind his house taunting the poor camera crew

[thebrownssociety]

Across The Seververse, Chapter 6.

Hey! Roxy Goth here. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, I'm not sure when the next chapters going to be, but I'm aiming for some time next week.

Thank you to @dolls-acme-brand-writing-desk for reblogging the last chapter and to all those who have liked it thus far. See chapter one for the disclaimer and let's go!

Junior was tapping his foot anxiously, looking up at the sky for any signs of life. There was rather a lot, actually, but none that he wanted. Just as he was about to give up and go home he saw some twinkling stars that were brighter than the others. He felt a wave of emotion hit him and - assuming the slightly dramatic pose he was known for - sighed. "Oh Father. How I wish you were here now so that you could see these stars to. If you come back I’ll go star-gazing with you every night, I promise!” He looked up imploringly at the sky and then frowned. Actually, now he was looking at them properly, those lights seemed to be coming awfully close to him-

-and it was a spaceship. Of COURSE it was a spaceship. After about 70 years of being a Looney Tune [albeit, a minor one] Junior really should have seen that coming. 

Without even looking properly at the spaceship, the ‘young’ cat sighed, picked up a random stick and drew shapes in the dust. What he wouldn’t give to hear his fathers silly voice again...

The doors to the spaceship opened and out of them came a familiar silhouette which was soon followed by a even-more familiar voice.

“Junior!”

“Pop!”

The two cats embraced and Sylvester swung his son around multiple times in the way that fathers are renown for while making strange noises that translated as ‘I missed you, I missed you, I missed you SO MUCH-”

Just behind them in the doors of the spaceship the other looneys watched this touching scene, all wiping tears away from there eyes. “Well.” Bugs said, trying not to sound to chocked up. “I guess Sly ain’t comin’ wiv us, is he?”

To which Tweety, laughing, said. “Unless you’re feeling brave enough to go and tell him he has to, but you may get TWO lots of cat claws...”

“We’ll leave it then. C’mon you lot. We need to decide who we’re getting next.”

After a brief but lively discussion the consensus was that it was better to get Taz on account of the fact he could easily cause millions of dollars of damage if left to his own devices for to long.

“Right, let’s go!” Bugs changed into Chungus and took the helm. “Full speed ahead! Adult Swim here we come!”

“Excuse me.” An irritated Marvin said, foot tapping rapidly. “But I think you’ll find this is MY ship.”

Bugs was to happy to even care at this point and gladly let Marvin take over.

Marvin pressed the ‘arrive as close to as possible’ button and was most annoyed when nothing happened. “This is most annoying.” He muttered, as he pressed the button repeatedly. “Honestly. You pay over 6,000 Mars dollars [= approx $12,752] and what do you get? K9′s dog house would be better than this.”

“Eh...Marvin?” Penelope said, looking up at the sky with wide eyes.

Bugs followed her eyes and promptly widened his own. “Eh...Marvin?”

“Do not bother me, earth creatures.” Marvin said, not even looking up. “I’m in the middle of-”

“-INCOMING!” Bugs screamed as Taz smacked full-force into the glass, creating a crack in the front screen. 

“Ooh!” Marvin stamped his foot. “There goes the warranty!”

The other toons were to startled to say anything, looking up at Taz like they were unsure it was him. As if to reassure them Taz stuck his tongue out and made a noise that, roughly translated, means: “Family.” Thankfully he didn’t quite start quoting ohana or anything like that, but the sentient was definitely there. 

After a few seconds Tweety asked Marvin if the martian was planning on letting Taz in or if he wanted him framed or something. Marvin shook himself out of his daze and pressed a button that made a giant metal arm come out of the side of the spaceship. The metal arm picked Taz of off the windscreen and brought him safely inside the spaceship.

Upon being put down the first thing Taz did [which really they all should have seen coming] was spin around the place making happy noises  which, roughly translated, meant: ‘I’m back, I’m back, I’m back-!”

“Okay, okay!” Bugs yelled, as the dots of Marvin’s eyes were replaced by images of fire. “We get it! We’re happy ta see ya to-!”

“Brother!” Taz threw himself at the rabbit and hugged him tightly. “Missed you.” He muttered, into the rabbits fur.

Bugs blinked before hugging the Tasmanian devil back, with a soft. “Missed you to, buddy. Right.” He said, briskly, pushing the devil away gently. “Where’re we takin’ ya then? You gonna stay with us an’ help get our siblings back or go back home and see Mrs Devil? Up to you.”

Taz considered for a few minutes, then said he’d like to see his wife again. Bugs nodded and turned to Marvin who sighed and took the controls again. 

“Yes, I know. Home again...”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meanwhile at the exact moment Marvin was flying the spaceship back to WBC for about the 5th time in 12 hours, Pete chose that moment to check the monitor.

Rhythm was a man of his word. He had said that he wasn't going to look at Bugs's progress until the last day and that was true. He got Pete to do it instead. Initially it was once a day, but after about two months of no-progress, Rhythm reduced it to once a week, then once a fortnight. Now they were only checking it once a month. Last month Bugs Bunny had been in Tune Town, talking to the trees. Now he wasn't. Panicking Pete searched all over the rest of the serververse until he found Bugs and co heading back, as previously stated, to WBC.

Without waiting a moment longer Pete let out a series of bleaps and hurriedly glided into the next room where Rhythm was sitting idly in a chair and staring disinterestedly into space.

"Beap, beap, beeeeaaaappppp, bbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaappppppppp!"*

"For crying out loud, calm down you idiot!” Rhythm snapped. “What's the matter?"

Pete beaped.*

Rhythm looked at him blankly. "What do you mean? Where is he?"

Pete started to beap*, but didn't even get more than three words into his sentence before Rhythm stood up violently and yelled. "Don't be stupid! That system is fool proof, understand!? Fool proof! There's no way into that island and there's no way out of it! If YOU-" He stepped closer to Pete, hot air blowing into his assistants face. "-Cannot find him, then you need to LOOK AGAIN - understand!? Because he WILL be there, somewhere, you just need to LOOK FOR HIM!" And with that the 'king of the serververse' turned on his heel and stalked towards the back of the room.

Pete was left staring after him with wide, startled eyes. Rhythm’s temper could be unpredictable, but up to that point he'd never seriously yelled at Pete. The blob [not sure what else to describe him as] silently glided from the room and back towards the main server.

He brought the screen up and looked at it. By now Bugs and the rest had arrived in WBC and the Tazmanian Devil was spinning around like a crazy thing hugging everybody in sight. Pete found himself smiling, it was quite a cute scene really. Then he shook himself out of it and plastered a frown on his face. He was evil, he reminded himself, he didn't do 'family.'

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He'd monitor them anyway, even if Rhythm didn't believe him. After all. That was what friends were for, right?

Pete 1 - Rhythm, rhythm, rrrhhhyyytthhhmmm, rrrrrrhhhhhhhyyyyyyttttthhhhhhhmmmmmm!

Pete 2 - Bugs, h-he's not on Tune Town anymore!

Pete 3 - He's got out-

[worksofjpa]

Lost Parcel

Original story by Jessica Paola L. Arrogante

 “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Local time is 5:45 in the evening. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. 

On behalf of EgyptAir Nile Airline and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard soon. Have a nice evening!”

 City lights, traffic jams, the familiar breeze of the warm air invading my whole system as the adjustment of the environment is settling in, oh the smell of Manila just reminds me of all the possible unfavorable circumstances I have experienced. The dreadful case from my former school was the last worst case I could recall and it's traumatizing.

 "Where should we go, ma'am?" that question from the uber driver snaps me to reality.

I have not told my siblings about my arrival since this won't take long and I have to go back to Cairo to accomplish my unfinished business.

"To the nearest hotel please", exhaustion was evident on my voice brought by a 12-hour trip from Egypt, jetlag they may say but it is an understatement, my mind has been corrupted these past few days and the only thing that could bear away this drained and drowsy I am feeling is to know the reason why I was sent here.

 *buzz* *buzz* *buzz*

A text from Anne triggered the sleeping sirens within me, a piece of information about the case of my colleague, Patrick. Tomorrow morning would be the start of the investigation.

 *ring* *ring*

"V., finally, I'm going home!" Patrick squealed in between sobs, I know he's been longing to go back home but I sense something off.

"Finally, when are you coming back" I added sarcasm and a bit giggle as I delivered that line. But I received nothing.

"Pat? Still there?" the line went shaky and then dropped off. After that suspicious call, I haven't heard a word from Patrick.

 "V., you are the last person I know who can carry this thing out, you should get something out of your system, you've been stuck here for years trying to evade the reality by publishing your out-of-this-world stories and fantasizing them, get your act together, V.".

 Of all people, why should it have to be me? To set foot in Santo Tomas? I can't even contain the ambiance of this ill-fated town, but here I am. 

 I lit up my cigar to lessen the indignation I feel observing the place I grew up with but something or should I say, someone is looking and I can feel he is coming in my direction.

"Hey, what's that thing in your head? It's freaking me out", with an innocent look from about seven-year-old typical stray kid wearing soiled sleeveless undershirt you could see in street roaming around looking for someplace to hang out with.

"A what?" with confusion in my tone I nudged obfuscated to what he was saying and when I felt nothing and was about to utter a word showing annoyance since I never had the experience dealing with children almost half of my life but the kid was gone.

I looked all over the place, into the plaza, into the market but the kid is nowhere to be seen, okay that's my last straw.

I don't know where I'm heading at but I just let my feet wander, and I ended up here, the place where my childhood memories built, the memories I did not intend to recall but it feels like they have their own ways of doing so, they are the like the waves in the ocean eagerly want to get in the shore.

 "You know what, this oak tree was planted by a farmer. He passed away while waiting for this to grow up, as much as he was waiting for his first love to come back until he took his own life, he hung himself here and they believe that this place is hunted." I saw the horror on his face as he weaved his god-awful story, like who would believe such a rib-tickling tale, but I didn't want to spoil his story so I joined the ride.

 "Why did he do that, why kill yourself over a petty thing--" but as I uttered those words a cold wind caress my left cheek from I-don't-know-where-it-come-from, and I heard small voices but not that clear.

"Phil, what were you saying? Make it louder, and why are you up there, get down here, it's dangerous you might get fall", it feels odd that Phil's voice was not that hoarse as far as I can remember, I’ve known Phil since time immemorial, he is my best buddy and I know every inch of him so it feels odd.

It's passed six and papa always reminds us to be home for various lost evil spirits are wandering around, and I can see him on my peripheral vision.

 "Valentine! Come home!" there he goes again but the surrounding transformed into a different scenery, the wind was so strong that you could hear the river whistling, just a moment ago the atmosphere was fine. I can't see my father either. So, I ran as fast as I could, that I felt someone or some people, was the best description, were following me. 

Soldiers? A bunch of armies? Army tanks? What in the world is happening?! I cannot distinguish what nationalities they were but based on their actions they appeared to declare war. A war that I only see in books and movies. 

I can't find my father, for Pete's sake, can someone explain to me what the hell is happening?! I can't absorb the situation I am in.

It was as if everything went into slow motion. The rage of the soldiers was obvious on their faces, their hunger for freedom that led them to rebellion. Behind the soldiers were the katipuneros with their swords like what my teachers lectured us on our class, but isn't it contradicting? It was written in history that even Filipino soldiers were on the side of the colonizers, they were left with no choice but to obey and carry out what was ordered them to do even if it costs their lives or fight against their fellow countrymen.

"These were not written on history. The events you are witnessing are the real events that happened during the colonization period. Filipino soldiers tried their hardest and their might to fight against these greedy invaders" I could hardly digest this huge revelation, I even forgot that my father was waiting on the end of the river as I was reminded not to dawdle for you never know what will happen during your stay in this hunted place. But the hoarse voices I heard were not a hallucination.

A lot of questions kept popping on my mind; 'what is happening', 'where am I', 

"Who are you" were the only words that came out of my mouth.

It took him a while before he responds, "A farmer who wanted freedom but failed to obtain due to despair and cowardice. I was one of them, I got tired fighting and conceded." He was a hero, but what happened?

"I was never a hero. If I tell you what happened before my death you would not like it, I do not want to rain on someone's parade. Ask your father, he was at the end of the battlefield, and if you want to know what happened during the war, the ball is on your court. And I want you to change what was written on the history, remember kid, a little learning is a dangerous thing." 

 "Valentine!" a clamor caught my attention.

"Valentine!" I looked over, the voice was familiar, and it was papa, in haste, catching his breath. 

"Valentine, you must get out of here!" I cannot breathe, what I am seeing is too heavy to absorb and the sound of the tanks, screams of the fighters are unbearable that my heart cannot take it, and everything went black.

 "Hey, are you alright?" I still feel dizzy like a bomb just exploded leaving debris I can't discern, I don't know what I should pick first.

"It was nice seeing you here, Valentine. This time I know you can make this through, rewrite the history" the kid behaved strangely, don't tell me---

"Yes, it's me, Valentine. How have you been? Patrick has been waiting on you on the riverbank."

"Patrick? He's dead! Who the hell are you?!" I burst into tears because I don't know what is happening, I felt lost and betrayed. 

 Papa died after the incident, he died due to cardiac arrest the doctor concluded, but I can clearly remember how this old man took the life of my father, he took his life in exchange of my freedom. And after the traumatic events, we decided to move out of this town and started a new life in Manila trying to remove the memories I had on this cursed town. I didn't know I would come back here and it felt like the memories returned as if it was just yesterday, but I will not give in whatever happens. 

 "V., if whatever happens, never go to the oak tree, the hunted oak tree, and the mysterious river, it's an illusion. Fight for your life at all costs, even if I'm not with you anymore. If someone offers you to do something strange, please decline it, even if they give you proofs that are uncanny, those things are insane, runaway and never come back, please V.," the serious tone of his voice sent shiver down to my spine, my father always pops in my dreams even if it's been years since he passed away but the fate took turns and I made it here.

 "V.! Why are you here?!" I can hear Patrick's voice but my mind is too preoccupied thinking of ways how to get out of here, but he grabbed my arm and made me look into his eyes as he narrates things that could fill in the missing puzzles I longed for years.

"V., you should not be here, I was fooled by the old man, V., when my family moved here in Santo Tomas, I had the same experience as what you had, my father was also taken by evil spirits, lunatic katipuneros who went crazy due to oppression of the colonizers, they were depressed because they lost their loved ones while fighting, so they want other people to fight for them, even it's been years and years they cannot accept the fact that they lost. I went back here because they kept asking on my dreams to rewrite the history, that the Philippines won, if not, they will take my family's life and even yours. V., we've sacrificed our lives please do not let this be thrown. Get your shit out of here, leave, now!" the echo of Patrick's voice was the last thing I heard before my feet led the way out of the area even if I heard the old man's voice pleading.

 After what happened, no one ever steps on that place again. I went back to Cairo, together with my family. Patrick once visited me on my dreams, he said I did the right thing, he was beyond happy because I was able to face the fear I clinched for so many years. 

Peace sometimes would cost an arm and a leg, you have to earn to get it even if it takes your whole being. Being courageous enough to handle your fears is one step ahead in achieving peace, you cannot truly find yourself if you keep hiding in a box full of false memories and the idea of evading them would not satisfy the longing you have to things you once had. I had an excellent life but I was afraid to have it back so I shifted my path, I chose the road where many people traveled by. The negativity has corrupted my mind, but as soon as I was awakened I figured it out that optimism is the foundation in pursuit of a better version of yourself. And all those experiences, made me realized that the more you fear, the more it gets real. And King Melchizedek was right, he said: "When you want something, the world conspires in helping you to achieve it."

[honestdreams]

Attached at The Hip | Peter Kavinsky

The music pounded loudly against my ears as I danced with Lara Jean, holding hands to stay close together while we sipped from the classic red solo cups in our opposite hands.

“Hey where’s Peter?” Lara Jean whispered into my ear, trying to talk over the loud music.

I looked around, trying to spot my tall brown haired boyfriend in the sea full of people, but saw none of his familiar curls.

“Umm I’m not sure. He was talking to his boys before but now he’s not even in the same room anymore.” I shrugged and pouted.

“That’s surprising. Usually you guys are attached to the hip.” She teased.

I blushed at her comment but smiled to myself, before leaning close to whisper in her ear again, “I’m going to go look for him.”

She nodded and let go of my hand, letting me go off. I carried my drink over people’s heads, afraid I was going to spill it if I didn’t, being my clumsy self as I squeezed my way out of the room.

I noticed Greg still playing beer bong near the pool and asked him where Peter went. “Pete? I think he said something about the bathroom.” He shot over his shoulder before scoring and earning a cheer from his team mates.

I sighed and headed upstairs to the bathroom. Freezing when I hear two familiar voices from outside of the bathroom, Peter…and Gen? His ex-girlfriend.

I held my breath, hoping this wasn’t my worst fears come to life. I quickly opened the door and felt my heart shatter.

Gen was pressed up against the counter, no space between her and him. Their bodies nearly intertwined, especially with Peter’s almost undone shirt and the closeness of their faces.

I knew I had walked in on something I shouldn’t have.

“Sorry, I was just looking for my boyfriend, but I guess he’s not in here.”

I quickly slammed the door and ran, wanting to leave the party immediately; not caring that I almost ran into people, and the yelling of my name from both Peter and Lara Jean.

I got my coat and threw open the front door, brushing away my tears as I chucked on my jacket, texting my mom to come pick me up, just wanting to put space between Peter and I, but a hand around my wrist stopped me from getting any further away.

“Please baby please. Let me explain.” Peter begged. Staring into his hazel eyes was one of the hardest things I had ever done. They were so full of pain and regret, that I just wanted to jump into his arms, forgive him, and tell him everything was going to be okay, but I didn’t even know if that was true. So I had to stand my ground.

“What explain that you were about to have sex with Gen on the bathroom counter? No thank you.”

“It wasn’t like that and you know it.” He tried to reason with me but I pulled my hand away from his and wrapped my arms around myself.

“I don’t know anything anymore. I thought you loved me but I was wrong.”

“I do love you.”

“Peter I don’t want to talk to you anymore. You were gone so I went looking for you, and found you in the bathroom with Gen. There’s nothing else to say.” I tried to keep my voice calm and leveled, as I fought my emotions that just desperately wanted me to cry. I wanted to go home.

I started to walk away, but Peter continued to follow me, wanting to explain himself, but I was just too tired to listen to him. I know how this story goes. I read and wrote enough love stories to know he was too good for me and would eventually leave me for someone else.

“Baby girl, you know nothing happened between us. She just invited herself in, even after I said the bathroom was occupied. I love you Y/N, I would never chest on you.”

“And the fact that she was pressed up against the counter by you meant nothing?”

“Of course not I-”

“Peter I’m tired. I just want to go home.”

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, “Okay I’ll drive you home.” He turned around to walk to his car but I stood in place.

“No. I didn’t mean go home with you.”  I mumbled looking down at my shoes.

Before he could say anything else, luckily my mom pulled up next to us.

“I’ll see you at school Kavinsky.” I mumbled before getting in the car, and telling my mom to just drive away.

Stopping myself from looking back, knowing if I did I would break, because whenever I saw a broken look on Peter’s face, nothing else mattered except holding him and making him feel better, but today I couldn’t do that because that meant getting out of this car and forgiving him.

I wasn’t ready to do that yet.

/

I sat in my bed, legs crossed with my leg shaking up and down, as I watched my phone continue to ring and light up from Peter’s calls and texts. It had been two days since I last saw him. The party was Friday Night, and it was now Sunday afternoon.

If I was honest with myself, I knew I missed him, but I couldn’t get the image of him being with another girl out of my head. It broke my heart. Made me sick to my stomach. That’s why I couldn’t face Peter, my head was clouded with terrible thoughts of him, like was he just a typical jock that cheated on his girlfriend once he got tired of her? But how could he be?

He was so sweet, loving and caring… but she was also his ex-girlfriend, the girl before me, the one he was obsessed with.

You never really get over the love of your life. I know because Peter is mine, and I know that if we break up, I will never be able to look at the world the same. He has brought so much light and colour into my life that I even don’t remember what it’s like to be without him.

So to have not talked to him in two days was heart wrenching.

Bump! My head shot over to my window as a body rolled into my room through the window, and I almost screamed until I realised who it was.

“Peter Grant Kavinsky are you crazy?! What are you doing in my room?”

“You were ignoring my calls, texts, and even my attempts to come through the front door. You promised to always leave this window open for me. So if you really didn’t want me to come through, you would have locked it.”

I internally groaned, forgetting about my window, not thinking that he would actually climb my tree just to talk to me, but I forgot he’s Peter Kavinsky. I stayed quiet, moving to sit on the edge of my bed.

“So what you’re just going to ignore me?” He spoke frustrated, running his fingers through his hair.

I glanced at him feeling incredibly shy, “you wanted to talk, so talk.” I mumbled out, still not looking him in the eyes.

“Baby girl, look at me.” He whispered gently, getting down on his knees in front of me, placing his hand on my thigh, trying to encourage me to face him.

After a deep breath I finally looked up. His eyes were puffy and red, just like the night I left him.

“I need you to know that I love you okay? And even if you don’t want me anymore, I’ll wait. I’ll follow you forever, until you forgive me Y/N, because you are the most amazing girl I’ve ever met and I’m not letting you go, ever. You’re stuck with me. Even though nothing happened that night, I know you, and I know I’ll have to earn your trust again,” he took my hands in his and kissed my knuckles, “but I’ll wait, because I am unconditionally in love with you. Only you.”

I didn’t realise the tears streaming down my cheeks until Peter chuckled and brushed them away. “Awe baby girl don’t cry.”

“Oh my gosh Peter, you just can’t say all that and not expect me to cry. God you’re like a fictional character, you’re too perfect.” I admitted, covering my hands over my face.

He quickly pulled my hands away from my face and cupped my cheeks, continuing to brush my tears away, taking a seat next to me, “You know I’m not perfect, I mean I made you cry, that’s far from perfect in my books.”

I sniffed and looked into my boyfriend’s hazel eyes seeing so much love and affection in them, “I love you Peter Grant Kavinsky.”

He chuckled and a tear of joy fell from his eye, “I love you too Y/N M/N L/N.”

I smiled and kissed away his tear before pressing my lips against his, wrapping my arms around his neck and sitting on his lap as he pulled me closer to him.

“Now I’m really never going to let you, you’re going with me everywhere, even the bathroom.”

Hes so fucking cute and such a dream boy, like I hope to find a boy like him

Masterlist

I’ve become Peter Kavinsky trash, I mean I adore him so much that he made me write wtf. I know I apologize and promise every time I post but I’m sorry I can’t keep my promises but I’m really appreciative to everyone that sticks around and follows me. I’m really close to 1k and that blows my mind thank you guys. I love you ♡ I hope to write more soon

Anyone request your little hearts out and don’t be afraid to talk to me, I still don’t have any friends lol

[circular-time]

Spare Parts Liveblog 8 - Disc Four

In my liveblog, I’ve been posting links to Spare Parts on Spotify for those who haven’t bought it (I have; it’s so cheap). For what it’s worth, it’s even CHEAPER this weekend -- 99p. Big Finish is having a Mondasian Cybermen sale.

Also, I forgot to mention: Just as new Who adapted Big Finish’s Jubilee to make Dalek, it also borrowed (although not quite as extensively) from Spare Parts to make The Age of Steel / The Rise of the Cybermen, for which Marc Platt received an acknowledgement.

So anyway. I’ve been kinda beat today and have only just gotten to Part IV. Let’s whip through this; I still have to watch this week’s new Who.

I’d mentioned that it sounds odd to me now when I hear early Big Finish, before they got the rights to all the classic Who themes, and all the eps start with what I think is the 1970s theme. @ironic-disingenuous-sadness​  pointed out the earlier-classic-Who theme fits this story rather well.

Track 4.1: “Shelter”

We’re back to the Doctor very much nonconsenting a medical procedure, and the cyberized Committee declaring WE WILL SURVIVE. Scary cybermen are scary.

(here we go again...)

Oh, Pete’s doing awesome speechifying again. The ranting BEGINS while he’s being scanned.

“Only cold logic stifles their natural urge to SCREAM IN AGONY!” (as he’ll be doing again shortly, I’m sure. Always do what you’re best at.)

And this is where Sally Knyvette was needed: she can give it right back.

“How can you do that to your own people?!” “Because we’re dying! That’s why we’re screaming!”

She goes on a long rant too, the first time we’ve really heard what she’s feeling behind the wine-deadened mask of indifference.

Jeng and the Committee argue over priorities: the Doctor made them promise to keep the city going, but it’s a choice between activating the propulsion system to move Mondas out of the nebula that’s shaking it apart, or shutting down the city.

“Sacrifices must be made,” the battlecry of those not making the sacrifice to save themselves.

Even now they’re divided in what to do. They finally decide to process all the citizens into Cybermen to save them. Of course. It’s then end.

The Hartleys discuss Nyssa being taken away, doubtless to be processed (aieee!) like Yvonne. They’re watching the iceflow envelope parts of the city. Is this establishing something in a classic Who ep I haven’t seen (missing eps/recons?)

The Palace broadcasts that all citizens should go to the Palace. “Shelter will be provided.” Mr Hartley scoffs; he knows it’s a lie.

Although in a way it isn’t— they’ll be well protected in their cyber-suits. Just dead.

Track 4.2 - “Logical Deductions”

Nyssa gets dragged past the Doctor, who tries to save her by (to her horror) suggesting she can help Allan with the cyber-process since she’s so good at bioengineering. Which, apparently, she is. Allan decides to requisition her, but Jeng barges in to say all citizens are being processed. Including Allan.

Who freaks out with the classic Mad Scientist line: “I CREATED YOU!” “And I am superior. Be proud while you still have the capacity.”

Ah, there we go. Of COURSE the scan means the Doctor has to scream. Agony Acting Peter is off again.

And in between screams, fighting the Committee in his mind, one of the best Who speeches ever.

How did this start? Just a few hip replacements and breast implants - vanity's a killer, isn't it? And where will it end? Sleek, heartless scavengers cobbled together from space junk and other people’s bodies— but you’ll look ever so STYLISH!! *screaming*

There’s a long pause when they ask him to evacuate Mondas using whatever means he used to get there. It’s too late for that... isn’t it? But it would’ve been one way to save the people. Except it’s a means he almost never uses; the TARDIS is never a lifeboat. (Seriously considers it in Equilibrium though.)

YOU WILL BE LIKE US. I will never be like you!

Again, this is the real horror of the Cybermen— Assimilation, in a form even worse than the Borg (which came several decades later).

oops, more screamy Pete.

The Committee finally achieves consensus (”disjunction means extinction...”) and all agree to join as one mind. “We are the future... we are the future...” the voice changes. It is now the “Cyber Planner” which appears in early classic Who.

Track 4.3 - “We will be like you”

I wish recent Big Finish still had track names like chapter names; they’re so creepy.

Anyway poor optimistic Nyssa is waiting for the scan to finish and the Doctor to come back. Allan’s being cynical and fatalistic again.

Out in the city, the civilians have woken up to their doom but it’s TOO LATE; they waited while their neighbors were rounded up and their rights curtailed in the name of Security until they have no power left.

They’re having an angry protest in the city’s main square, burning the tree. Mr. Hartley and Frank are there, refusing to submit, even though it’s bitterly cold. Then they try to storm the Palace — only to be captured. The Cyber-planner puts their own security ahead of the propulsion system, overriding Jeng’s wishes. “Resistance must be crushed.”

Back in the palace, the scan finishes, door opens— no Doctor! A moment later a new, improved Cyberman comes out.

Nyssa thinks it’s him. The Doctor is now a Cyberman like the ones who killed Adric! Her voice— ouch. Poor Nyssa. She has been through such HELL since meeting the Doctor.

And here’s another of my favorite moments.

Allan’s given up and is drinking heavily —Knyvette being awesome again— trying to get Nyssa to join her in toasting the end of the world.

Nyssa’s gotten over her shock, like she always does, and gives a pretty damned good speech of her own.

[We must do something] “Who cares?” “The Doctor would care!” “Anything to encourage oblivion.” “Please, listen to me!” *breaks the woman’s bottle* “You STUPID little—” “He’s gone. The Doctor’s dead. Worse than dead. And Adric’s dead too. So many people killed because of your Cybermen. So where’s the Committee? I have to stop this once and for all!”

I love it when Nyssa lays the verbal smackdown, and I thumb my nose at those fools who think Sarah Sutton can’t act. She’s better now than she was when she was 19, of course, and even then she was pretty good.

And there Nyssa goes again, once again ready to take the Doctor’s place and finish his work when she thinks he’s dead. She is too damn brave for her own good. And she never gives into grief while there’s lives to save.

But before she can get herself in worse trouble...

“The Doctor was a gift... he was our last resort.” *door opens* “Oh dear, you make me sound like Southend-on-Sea.”

I love the Doctor’s stupid quips at the worst possible moments. (And happy reunions.)

Allan belatedly informs them (she was mocking Nyssa) that the new Cyberman was Dodd.

“Where is he now?” the Doctor says. “Oh? It’s a he when it’s someone you know.” Good point, Allan.  She doesn’t approve of what’s happened, but she’s still proud of her “invincible” creations.

Team Nerd reunited— Doctor needs something to sabotage the Committee, Nyssa suggests using Allan’s wine store, much to her annoyance.

Track 4.4 - “Consider the Grape”

I think the Doctor gave that grape-quote earlier in the story?

Ouch. The roof’s falling in, and the citizens have no choice but to rush into the arms of the Cybermen.

Nyssa’s still furious. “You’re PATHETIC” she tells Allan and clops her one when she tries to stop the Doctor from numbing the Committee’s nutrient bath with alcohol.

The Doctor and Nyssa wonder again if they can change history. Ironically they’ve switched sides of the argument— the Doctor’s so determined not to have himself used as the template for the Cyber-race that he’s considering changing history after all, while Nyssa wonders if they should since it’s the only way to save these people’s lives. He wants to have a hand in steering the creations based on him.

Another irony: Allan’s so proud of her Committee, her “children” that she’s willing to sacrifice the planet to save them (?) Jeng disagrees.

The Hartleys rescue Nyssa and the Doctor from being collected. Alas, Frank holds Nyssa back to apologize, and they get caught for processing. *whimper* (And everyone’s being rounded up for processing in the palace.)

This story doesn’t let up.

Track 4.5 “Death is Just a Bowl of Cherries”

The Cyberplanner sends Allan for processing, of course. They grow up and turn on you.

Allan’s finally gotten angry. The Committee are directing all power to processing to make more “walking dead”, rather than saving the city OR the propulsion. And when she’s stuck in line she’s defiant. Embraces her end with a bit of courage.

The Doctor’s keeping the Cyberplanner busy while Mr. Hartley summons the cybermats to save the day. And screaming again. They override Jeng when he tries to activate the propulsion system.

Track 4.6 “Logical Conclusions.”

Nyssa’s just about ready to be processed OF COURSE while the Doctor’s chitchatting with the Cyberplanner. DOCTOR SHUT IT.

Finally the cybermats overwhelm the Cyberplanner, allowing them to divert power to the engines and send Mondas back towards Earth.

The Doctor and Nyssa think they’ve put Mondas on better footing: the Commitee’s out, Jeng is out, and the Cybermen are helping repair the roof. Hartley is in charge of the reconstruction.

But sadly this story, like Genesis of the Daleks, can’t actually do a damn THING to alter the monsters’ future. The ending is horrifying: Jeng returns, and the processing will begin again— all the survivors the Doctor and Nyssa helped will shortly be converted. At least the Doctor and Nyssa leave before they’re caught or even find out that sad truth.

And I’m still not 100% sanguine about an EU story where the ONLY thing that changes is that the Cybermen are now based partly on the Doctor!

But it’s a hell of a story, dealing with some of the heart and soul of the whole “Can we/should we change history?” problem of Who, some fine speeches, some incredible courage on the part of both Doctor and Companion, and a little side commentary on organ harvesting/human rights/universal healthcare/cost-cutting/”sacrifices must be made.”