Money Talks A world in financial crisis, a perfect place for a ruthless business man to make a quick profit. The Amphiprionine owners of RadiCorp are just that, they seize the opportunity by taking total control of Earth's Stock Markets. But what are their motives? As a mysterious logo arises everywhere, on everything, Investigative Journalist Sarah Jane Smith suspects foul play. Her investigations don't go unnoticed, she faces an uphill battle against the might of a corporate empire. She'll find the truth, but at what cost? Cue the Doctor, he shows up right in the middle of things, and he's about to make one of the worst decisions in his life, one that will have a profound effect on him in the not to distant future. And who is that mystery Time Lord? Episode 1 The Prime Minister was desperate, he'd just been given the news that this financial quarter was the worst yet. He'd promised the voters that he would fix it, now seven months into his office, he had to deliver the news that he'd failed. His press conference was at midday tomorrow, but it seemed like a decade away. He didn't sleep much that night, instead he planned how he would undergo damage limitation. He knew he was probably going to get impeached by his party, who couldn't risk their image. He was meant to be ok with this idea, but it sickened him to the core. He needed a miracle.
The next morning he got a phone call, at first he thought it was a prank. It was true though, overnight the stock markets had seen a huge rise. Unimaginably high amounts of money were being invested, investments increase the economy. Such an extent was the money invested, that the economical index rose to that twice what it was in the days of the last great boom. The Prime Minister threw his speech in the bin he knew how he'd handle this one now.
Sarah Jane Smith was working in her house, she was doing the dishes. She had the TV on in the background, she cast it a glance as the Prime Minister began his address. She had never liked him, to her he seemed too arrogant, more concerned about his image than his country. She hadn't voted, she didn't care much for politics.
Once she heard him talking about how he had made Britain great again, and how the recession was over, she'd heard enough and turned off the TV. As she went back to her dishes, she picked up the new bottle of washing up liquid, which she had bought that morning. She was surprised to she a new logo on it, a lions head with a crown on top and a semi-circle of stars below it and at either side. She assumed it was just a rebrand, and thought nothing more of it.
Once she finished washing up, she went to unpack the rest of her shopping from this morning. It was then she saw it again, the logo. It was on everything she had bought. She wondered what it was, and why it was everywhere.
Episode 2
Sarah Jane wasn't the only one to notice the logo. There had been several calls made all across the country, all across the world too. Every country woke up to huge financial growth, shortly followed by the emergence of this logo. RadiCorp, the name behind the logo. But it now presented a crisis, one that warranted a G20 summit of the twenty biggest economies. The location for the summit was to be London, because it was where RadiCorp's designated head offices were located.
U.N.I.T. was called in to offer security at the summit, while some of their generals attended the meeting itself. RadiCorp's assault upon the stock market had left them with a majority share in every company, in every country. In short, they controlled the global market. This scared the leaders of the G20 nations, more because their positions of power were threatened, rather than the safety of their country. A representative of RadiCorp had been called before the assembly to give assurances as to the stance of the company.
The prime minister was chairing the assembly, he was a laughable sight. He was a tubby man, but so full of passion that he was foaming at the mouth whilst delivering his points. The RadiCorp representative would have laughed, if he could, this man giving reassurances that he had no place to give. He deemed that the Prime Minister had embarrassed himself enough, so he interrupted...
"Gentlemen, we own you! You now answer to RadiCorp. Any deviation from our orders and we pull the money from you're country. Do you like your jobs? Well then, you've only one choice." A panicked noise rose around the room, as they contemplated what they had been told. A vote was taken, twenty countries agreed to comply.
Meanwhile Sarah Jane sat at her computer, he was researching RadiCorp on Google. She had written and article on it and the threat that it posed. She e-mailed it to her publisher marked front page, before she headed off alone, to investigate the RadiCorp head office in central London.
Episode 3
Sarah Jane had hoped that she had just made the deadline for evening print. She tried her luck by sending it to all the evening papers. When the people were threatened, journalist loyalties went out the window, not that that was usually an issue for Sarah Jane anyway, being free lance.
As she neared the RadiCorp headquarters, about an hour and a bits drive, she seen the evening papers going out on the stands. Sprinkled across the front pages of them all, was her story. Sarah Jane had learnt during her career that if there's one thing she could count on, it's that the tabloids love to print a scandal. The word was out, the threat was there. She hoped people would see and take head, and take action against RadiCorp.
People must have seen it, RadiCorp people too, because within ten minutes of the papers coming out, the broadcast started. Sarah Jane heard it on her car stereo, the news hit her hard, accompanied by a pain. A pain which she can only describe as similar to that she felt as a little girl when she was told of the fate of her parents. She pulled her car into a nearby parking space, as she was in no fit state to drive.
The broadcast repeated itself, " This is a RadiCorp announcement, being broadcast on all frequencies. We are aware of the slurs being aimed at our company, we can refute any claims made through news media. In fact, we have pledged allegiance with your government, and the governments of your allies. We represent no threat to you, unless you threaten us. We hope you can disregard all fiction about us. As a gesture of goodwill, all workers under the RadiCorp banner, which is the entire population, will be given a ten percent pay rise effective immediately. Thank you for listening."
As Sarah Jane gathered herself, she set off again. She now knew two things for sure, she was right about RadiCorp, and no one would believe her now, for she knew, Money Talks.
Episode 4
As she approached the head offices, she was surprised to see it was a rather run down building, somewhere you'd expect to be home to a few smaller local business. Instead it housed the biggest, richest multi national company ever seen.
She was glad that she hadn't asked Luke, Clyde and Rani to come with her, partly because they weren't home from school yet, but mainly because she realised the danger. Risking her own life was bad enough, but she wouldn't take the same chance with three young lives, full of so much potential.
She was about to become public enemy number one, once her story was linked back to her. So perhaps she wondered, was it the smartest idea to walk straight into the offices of the people who were after her?
She was surprised yet again to find that the headquarters were only manned by two people. People may have been a kind term, they were humanoid, but no much else. Their faces only had one setting, they were emotionless and make a clunky metal noise as they moved. Sarah Jane identified them immediately as androids, this gave her an advantage, as androids can be suspicious, she had freedom to investigate. She couldn't help but wander, who was in control of the androids.
As she headed for the archive section, she failed to notice one of them hitting a panic button.
In the archives she found some interesting material. Files on how earths economy worked, who the powerful people are, and threats to be aware of. She laughed to herself as she read her own name, along with UNIT and Torchwood on the list of threats.
She had surmised from the information that RadiCorp was some sort of intergalactic weapons company. They had the highest company index rating in the universe, meaning the money they had spent on earth was a mere fraction of their total capital. She felt she had missed something though, and when she figured out that it was the fact that androids can be programmed to recognise threats. She panicked.
As she turn to leave the room, she found her only exit blocked off.
Episode 5
Three men stood at the door, they were armed and had radios at their side. Their grey suits and bulky bodies suggested to Sarah Jane, that they were security. It wasn't then that scared her though, it was what stood behind them.
Two creatures, one at either side, standing about seven foot tall. Their heads were skeletal in shape, and covered by a thin layer of pale skin. It was indented only into black sockets where she assumed the eyes would be. The creatures had long hands about twice the size of hers, except they only had three fingers with the middle disproportionately larger than the other two. The smell from the creatures also struck her, it smelt familiar, yet impossible to place. Like an aftershave or perfume, that reminds you of someone, but you can't quite connect who. Except, this wasn't a pleasant smell, sort of a cross between burnt electrical appliances and petrichor. Something about the creatures made her feel uneasy. She noted it as odd, the fact that the guards seemed to not notice them.
The middle guard spoke, " What do you think you're doing? This is private property. You will come with us!" At that, one of the creatures leant inwards and whispered in a loud rasp which seemed to penetrate straight into Sarah Jane's head, as if its source was there. "Kill her!".
Sarah Jane pleaded with him not to, but it appeared the creature had a greater persuasion on the guard. He had instructed her onto her knees. She begged to call Luke, her son, as a last request. He allowed her that, however the phone rang through to answer phone so she left him this message, " Luke I'm so sorry, know that I will always love you. You will always be my son." The guard raised the gun and pointed it at her head.
"I can't do it" he exclaimed, as he lowered the gun. The creatures reacted badly, they started draining the electrical power from the room, before directing it all into the chest of the guard. The two remaining guards now noticed the creatures and Sarah Jane, could tell that they hadn't been aware if their presence until now.
"Run" she shouted in their direction. Amazingly, as they turned to look at her, they raised their guns again, and reverted back to being oblivious to the creatures existence. The creature repeated "You will kill her! Or you shall die!"
Sarah Jane had always thought the Doctor would be keeping an eye on her. She had believed that in a situation as hopeless as the one she faced now, that magical blue box would appear and the Doctor would save her.
As the guards moved their fingers over the triggers, a wind stirred in the room. It was accompanied by a rasping sound, so loud it was deafening. The wind built up in the room sending boxes of files scattering across the room. Sarah Jane smiled as she did every time she heard that sound, the sound of the universe she called it. It brought so many happy memories, but none quite as special as this. She was right about the Doctor.
The noise of the TARDIS materialising was so loud, as the majestic blue box finally appeared. So loud in fact, that it masked the twin gun shots.
Episode 6
As the Doctor exited the TARDIS, he surveyed his surroundings as he always did. The smell and taste of gunpowder was the first thing he noticed. The next was the two men to his right, fat-ish in grey suits with guns in hand , staring awestruck in his direction. Then he noticed a third, directly in front of him, dead. A shocked look of agony still on his face and a gun sitting beside him.
Then he saw her, his Sarah Jane, lying in a pool of blood, still breathing, but barely. Without a second thought he ran to her, cradling her in his arms. Clara was in hot pursuit, scurrying the surroundings for anything that could help.
Sarah Jane tried to speak, but the Doctor stopped her, she needed to save every ounce of energy. He put pressure on the bullet wound, he knew by its location (left subclavicular, at the sternal edge) that it would have severed major blood vessels. He faced an impossible dilemma, it's impossible to stop her bleeding out, he is powerless to help. Clara could she by his facial expressions and mannerisms that he was distraught. She could tell this woman was so important to him.
Sarah Jane gestured towards her phone. Her only words were "Luke....Goodbye". The Doctor knew instantly what she wanted, to talk to Luke. She could never have left him without a proper goodbye. That's one of the many things he loved about her, and even now as she was near death, she still put others first. The Doctor made the phone call.
As soon as Luke picked up, the Doctor started talking. "Luke, I'm with your mother. I have some very bad news, she been shot. I'm pretty sure she isn't going to make it. I'm so sorry, I really am there was nothing I could have done". Clara interrupted "For Gods sake Doctor, let her talk". The Doctor handed Sarah Jane the phone, there was audible crying coming from it. Sarah Jane spoke, "I'm so sorry. I love you Luke." She hung up the phone not wanting to hear his pain. She turned to the Doctor and said "look after him, promise me". The agony was visible in every word as Sarah Jane mustered all she had left to finish the sentence. As she breathed her last, the Doctor promised her, he wasn't sure whether she heard him or not.
The Doctor held her in his arms for a few minutes, reflecting on the good times he had with her. Slowly he filled with anger as he stood up and picked the gun of the dead security guard off the floor. Clara gestured as if to stop him as he made his way towards the two remaining guards, who were still staring dumbstruck at the TARDIS. She was properly scared for what he would do next.
As he approached the guards, he raised the gun. He was so full of anger that his hand were visibly shaking. He shouted towards them, " Who did this!? She was my friend! I would shoot you dead right here right now, only I'm better than you could ever hope to be! You're going to listen me! You're going to take me to whoever is in charge! And you're going to do it now!"
Episode 7
The guards led the Doctor through the offices. He was still pointing the gun at them, so they thought it best not to take any chances. As they approached the back of the building, they made their way through a small arched doorway. Clara expected it to lead to a storage closet of some sort, she couldn't have been more wrong.
"It's bigger on the inside!", she exclaimed. She thought she would be used to this sort of thing by now, given what she had experienced in her short time with the Doctor. She put it down to the pure unexpectedness this time, because in front of her was a factory, so vast, so efficient and totally unmanned. She wondered was this the future of the human race, fully automated super factories. She wondered what was being made here.
In contrast the Doctor's vision never faltered from the guards in front of him. A deep anger was building inside him, boiling up, about to overflow. Every minute taken in getting to the subjects of his anger would be a godsend, he knew he was about to do something very rash indeed. They approached the lift too quickly for his liking as the guard pressed the button to the top floor.
Meanwhile, upstairs, the Amphiprionine members of RadiCorp's board sat in discussion, oblivious to the storm that was headed their way. The Amphiprionines were a noble race, known throughout the universe for their peaceful nature, and strong business acumen. Several myths surrounded them, such as their false combative fronts and desire for absolute power. These claims were rubbished after the Judoon study into their history. The Amphiprionines hold an amazing record, the only species not to be guilty of a single crime by the laws of the shadow proclamation. Many believe this is their greatest business asset, that they are so trustworthy.
In terms of appearance, their skin is similar to that of the clown fish of earth. They are a species comfortable with any surroundings, their anatomy aids them, possessing both a set of lungs and gills. They are typically short, with an average height of about three foot. On general they are a lazy species, all of their work is done by their androids, and they live a life of relative comfort, with money rarely an issue. But they were in for the shock of their lives.
As the noticed the lift appearing in their level, and the Doctor stepping out, they were helpless. The Doctor began shouting. " I don't know what's happening here, but it's done! I promise you that.. Mark my words... I will stop you!" He paused for a minute before continuing his verbal onslaught. "She was my friend, you didn't have to have her killed! I will avenge her if it is the last thing I do!".
The Amphriprionine director of the company spoke up." I'm sorry Sir, we are confused. We have not ordered for the death of anyone. We asked your friend be brought here so we could explain that we mean no threat."
The Doctor raised the gun. "No! I don't believe you!"
Episode 8
"Doctor wait! Hear then out. Yeah." Clara was pleading with him. She was desperate not to see the man she had come to know so well become a monster. "Give them a chance to explain, yeah. Let them talk, please". The Doctor reluctantly lowered the gun. "Talk. Tell me something I want to hear."
The director spoke, " We mean this planet no harm. We are Amphiprionines, that's means we are noble and trustworthy. RadiCorp, our most successful business, the one who's offices you currently stand in, specialises in weapons. We are the universal weapon suppliers, a fact which brings us much shame."
One of the assistant directors continued, "Our presence on this planet was necessary. An increase in demand for nuclear material by the Rutans for their war against the Sontarans, forced us to take drastic action. We intend to remove all nuclear material from this planet. In return, we will leave the money we have invested in this planet. Granted it is mere pennies in comparison to the profit we will make. That is our plan, that's it. You can stop us if you must."
Clara interrupted, "Doctor, surely that's a good thing, no recession and no threat of nuclear war. Why would we stop them."
The Doctor's reply was firm, he was unwavering in his stance. "If their intentions are innocent, why hide them Clara. Why blackmail governments and kill those investigate." His mood changed abruptly, from solemn to rage filled. "Sarah Jane Smith was the best woman I knew. You know she helped me save your planet many years ago, and this is how you repay her. Having her put down like a dog! I am the Doctor and I will make you pay."
On the mention of the word Doctor, the directors entire demeanour changed, as if he was in the presence of a god. " I am sorry for the loss of you're friend good sir. I offer you every assurance that we had no part to play in her death. I am eternally grateful, along with the rest of my species, for your services during the transgeo redistribution on our home planet. We owe our existence to you." His tone suddenly became more serious, " I should warn you however, if you insist in pursuing your agenda against us, we have been heavily invested in, by the people of this planet. Our removal would leave the planet in a worse state than we found it."
Episode 9
"I seen enough genocides, corruption and pointless deaths, to know a good lie when I hear one. I've seen things you wouldn't believe, I've lived longer than you can possibly imagine. You know what that does? It means I've got lots of experience, so you'd have to be unbelievable talented to fool me. I'm the Doctor, and I know you're liars. I will drive you off this planet, in the name of Sarah Jane Smith."
The Director was dismayed by the Doctor's, "It's a pity, that this is your decision, but we will try our best to facilitate your actions." He stepped to the side revealing a futuristic computer. "This has direct assess to the stock markets. All you have to do, is hit the button labelled DECLARE BANKRUPTCY, this will take us out of the stock market. It will withdraw all of our money back to the universal base. Then we shall leave, however I hope you reconsider."
The Doctor used his sonic screwdriver on the computer causing the button to be pressed. It proceeded normally for about a minute, until red lights accompanied by a sharp alarm filled the office. "What's happening" Clara shouted. "We are being hacked", the director was frantically pressing buttons on the computer, but to no avail.
The Doctor knew this was not of his doing, so he reluctantly joined the director at the computer, trying to stop the hack. Using his sonic screwdriver along with a clever string of computer code he located the invading party. An account identified only as MK, and it had now total control. Both men stared at the screen helpless as all of RadiCorp's finances and details were siphoned into the new account.
RadiCorp has a new owner now, known only as MK. A message appeared on the screen, "Thank you Doctor, it's been a pleasure". The Doctor stood dejected, only now realising his error.
"I'm the Doctor and I'm an idiot. I was wrong, you didn't kill Sarah Jane. In my anger I was blind to that fact. Now her killers have the biggest weapons company in the universe, you have lost your company, and the earth's economy is crippled beyond the point of repair." He began to tear up, the gravity of the situation coupled with the grief for Sarah Jane, grief he was feeling for the first time, now the anger was gone. He struggled to say, "I'm so sorry"
Episode 10
Sarah Jane's memorial service was held a few days later. The venue was a small church whose parish encompassed Bannerman Road. It was a small gathering, something the minister noted in his sermon. As a woman who kept mostly to her herself, Sarah Jane wouldn't have touched the lives of many, at least not directly. Those who turned up included, Clive, Luke, Maria (all the way from America), Rani, Sky and a few of their relatives. The Doctor sat at the back with Clara, donning a black bow tied suit with a bowler hat.
The minister spoke of a kind woman, who kept herself to herself. Of how she lived a simple and comfortable life, how she never found the right man, but how she was never lonely. His congregation, those who knew Sarah Jane well, it happier circumstances would have laughed at how wrong he was.
After the service, the Doctor spoke to Luke, "I'm sorry for your loss. What are you going to do now?" He paused for a moment deciding if he should tell Luke of the promise he made, in the end he did, "I promised your mother that I'd look after you, I'm not one for parenting, but you could come with us, in the TARDIS. See the stars! What do you say?"
Luke's grief became anger, the Doctor it's subject. "Why weren't you there for her? She always said that if she was in grave danger, you'd be there. When she needed you most, you let her down. Go! Now! I don't want to see you again!"
The Doctor left him, but he had no intention of breaking his promise, he could view the rest of Luke's life in a matter of minutes. The advantages of a time machine. Deep down, he hoped one day Luke could forgive him. As he gestured to Clara to leave, she shook her head.
"I'm not coming Doctor. The man I chose to travel with, he wouldn't have endangered the entire planet as part of a vendetta. That man in RadiCorp, he wasn't you, or maybe he was, but the harsh reality is I really don't know anything about you. That man, I can't be around him, and I fear that's who you really are, and that's fine, it's just I don't want to be a part of it. Thank you for everything, I'll treasure my memories of my travels forever, and you will always hold a special place in my heart. I'll remember you as you were, not as you are. I can make my own way home, it's not far."
The Doctor stood with a shocked look on his face as he watched Clara walk off into the distance. How had he let it come to this? Losing not one friend, but two. As he walked back to the TARDIS he reflection on his actions, who was MK, what did they want with RadiCorp and why did they want Sarah Jane dead? Questions he may never find the answer to.
As he entered the TARDIS, he took off his coat and bowler hat and placed them on the coat stand. He stood for a moment still in thought, this time the happy memories of the life of Sarah Jane Smith. He was interrupted by a voice from behind him at the main console. "Hello Doctor, I need your help"
THE END (for now)
Epilogue
Vital Military Data Relating to a phone call to the Oval Office by an alien with an offer. Call originated from an unmarked satellite on the outskirts of earth space. Full transcript follows. Please note, only for the attention of those with the highest authorisation clearances.
Obama: Hello, you have reached the Oval Office, this number is classified how did you contact it?
Classified: I hear you have a money problem, following the withdrawal of RadiCorp from Earth.
Obama: How do you know that, who are you?
Classified: I'm [###########], I'm a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. I'm 20 years old, and,I have a company capable of plugging the gap that RadiCorp left. I'm the man who could solve your problems.
Obama: And what would you be looking in return?
Classified: Nothing, only a place I can call home. My planet is gone and my people are dead. I'm alone, and I've had enough of that.
Obama: I'm not authorised to accept your offer without consulting the rest of the G20 nations. Mind you they may be opposed to the idea, given what happened with RadiCorp.
Classified: I don't want power Mr President, I would give you total control. As for RadiCorp's downfall, I have a personal grudge there, it was Madame Kovarian, a women I have hunted for good reason. I won't let her destroy another species.
Obama: So this woman is now in charge of RadiCorp? I will convene a meeting with haste and hopefully accept your offer as soon as possible
Classified: Yes she is, but that is of no worry to us, they have left Earth. Thank you sir.
Obama: America is the land of the free son, I'm sure we will have a place for you.