"Was that a....?" Rory asked, looking worried and pointing at the speaker on the console.

"A Dalek." The Doctor growled with a sudden hard edge to his voice. His eyes went dark and flinty with long-festering anger and hated. Then, the Doctor's demeanor swiftly changed with the about face of a weather cockerel.

"Right!" He shouted with a smile, clapping his two palms together, "This concludes our guided tour of the Doctor's wonderful and mysterious space and time ship." He began trying to herd everyone towards the doors. "Thank you for coming, please exit to through the front door, and don't forget to buy a souvenir TARDIS tee shirt or tea towel on your way out."

"But I only just arrived, I can't leave now!" Malcolm said, clearly disappointed.

"Sorry, Malcolm. I'll come back for you someday when I don't have any friends to rescue from the most evil beings in the universe." the Doctor hurriedly apologized, still trying to steer his friend towards the doors.

"Can't I at least have time to buy a tea towel?" Malcolm asked plaintively.

"How stupid of me, I forgot. I'm all sold out, sorry. Maybe next time." The Doctor lied.

"Really Doctor," Major Tibbets huffed, "I must say that your behaviour is even more eccentric than the U.N.I.T. files claim."

"Really?" The Doctor said, genuinely pleased at hearing this. "How very kind of you to say so, major."

"Honestly, Doctor." The major told him, like a stern parent admonishing a hyperactive child, "I insist that you allow us to stay on board your ship, as representatives of Earth in this matter."

"Sorry, last call. Closing bell, clang-clang. " The Doctor said, getting a bit flustered that no one seemed to be moving towards the doors. "I insist that you leave. All four of you. A good guest should always know when to leave."

"Wait!" Amy protested, grabbing his arm. When he stopped, she looked up at his face. "Why do we have to leave? I have faced Daleks before, Doctor. Winston Churchill, the bunker, remember? And Rory shot one in the museum, we both remember that...sort of."

"Then you remember what the one in the museum did to me, Amy." The Doctor countered soberly. "Remember that? And that one was weakened by the effects of the collapse of time. These are probably fully operational Daleks. Deadliest and must ruthless creatures in the universe. I won't let you or anyone else near them. I won't be responsible for your deaths. I already have too many...." His voice cut off as the Doctor took a deep breath. He shook his head sadly. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he said more gently, "Amy, any other time I'd love to have you along, I mean that. But, I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you...or Rory. I really am sorry, but this time I have to go solo, I can't take you with me."

Without warning, the control room lights went out, the emergency lights went on, and they were all five of them very nearly jerked off their feet, as the TARDIS suddenly gave a great shudder. Then, just as abruptly, she settled. The Doctor looked alarmed, as he felt his ship being yanked upwards by some powerful force. The Central column was completely still, and other than the initial violent movement, there was no other indication that they were moving. But, the Doctor knew.

"Doctor," Amy asked, trying not to be scared, "What's happening?"

"What's going on?" The major bawled out angrily.

"Some kind of inter-planetary transmaterialization field, I'm guessing." The Doctor shouted, running over to the console to check the readings.

"The inter what?" Rory asked, still protectively holding Amy to steady her, even though the the TARDIS was now completely still.

"Ooh, You mean, like some kind of transmat beam, Doctor?" Malcolm said eagerly, always fascinated by any new technology he encountered.

"Yes." The Doctor replied tersely, as he worked feverishly at the console, trying to re-gain control of his ship. "Exactly like that, Malcolm. The Daleks have locked on to the TARDIS and are transporting us somewhere. Probably to their ship."

"How do you know that?" Amy asked him. She was startled to see the somber, haunted look on the Doctor's face, when he slowly turned around and stared at her.

"Because this has happened before." The Doctor told her grimly. "The last time the Daleks came to earth in your current time stream. When strange planets filled the sky. The attack you and Rory didn't remember, Amy. The Daleks captured my TARDIS and brought it on board their ship. There was nothing I could do to stop them."

Just then, the TARDIS jolted again with a great bump. The Doctor swallowed and sweat broke out on his forehead. He wanted to make his friends and the major stay on board, but knew that Dalek technology could very well detect how many life forms were on board. He stared helplessly at the TARDIS doors, knowing that they'd all have to go out there any second now, and face the wrath of the Daleks.