“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt to prove it..” The Doctor muttered. Then, taking a deep breath, he struck his best cavalier attitude. Tugging on his bow tie to make sure it was straight, he said to his friends, “Shall we go out and greet our hosts? Bad form to show up late for a party, you know. I do hope they've got a good DJ this time. Last time they had a polka band. That was rubbish.”

Before opening the TARDIS door, the Doctor stood in front of his four companions and laid the situation out for them, as simply and bluntly as possible.

“I want you all to listen to me carefully.” He told them gravely, “These are the deadliest creatures in all of creation. As in ever. I want you all to understand that. Especially you, major.” The Doctor said, giving the man a steely glare. “I know you military blokes love to go charging in like Custer with the Seventh Cavalry, but we all know what happened to him. I should know, I was there.”

The major frowned and harrumphed. Malcolm, giving the major a sidelong glance, gulped in apprehension. A worried Amy looked at Rory. He reached over, gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile and clasped her hand.

“Alright you lot,” The Doctor explained, “Dalek meet and greet procedure: Do not, I repeat, do not under any circumstances do anything which might provoke them. That's my job. They can't shake hands so no worries there, but most definitely don't try to kiss them. They hate that. Do whatever they tell you to do. If you don't, you're dead. Full stop. And, whatever happens, stay close to me.”

“OK, OK.” The Doctor whispered to himself as he turned away from them, affectionately patting the TARDIS door, before pulling it open, “Geronimo.”

The five of them walked out of the TARDIS. The human contingent all stared around them with a mixture of fear and wonder. What they saw was an enormous room with stainless steel walls, gleaming blue & yellow from lights set into the ceilings. The walls were slightly curved, bending to the rounded lines of the ship they were on. Scattered around the flight deck were banks of machinery used for ship's operations and navigation, as well as various weapons consoles. On a raised platform in front of them, was the large shadowy form of the Central Command Dalek.

All around the floor were small squads of soldier Daleks, standing immobile in neat rows, like soldiers awaiting inspection by some dignitary. Some more of them were stationed on a gantry that ran along the walls high above. Two Daleks were acting as security guards, with weapons trained on the captives. The others in the room didn't even seem to notice them. As Amy watched, several Daleks smoothly whirred past her group, getting on with the business of running the ship. Amy reckoned there must've been a few hundred of them, all told. She wondered how many more there were. Probably thousands, judging by the size of the ship.

Glaring balefully at the Command Dalek, the Doctor was far less impressed. Thinking of the possible fate of the four people standing behind him, he suddenly was feeling a great weight of responsibility. They shouldn't be here. Funny, the Doctor thought, how he'd never felt like that when he was younger. Certainly, as he aged, more and more he'd grown to care about the welfare of his friends. Yet, in his earlier regenerations he'd always taken the stance that they had chosen to be with him, and therefore acted on their own responsibility. He pondered what had caused his change of hearts. But, he knew. Their names were Rose, Martha, Donna, Wilf and Amy.

“The humans will be taken to detention area sixteen. The Doctor will remain here. ” The Central Command Dalek ordered his subordinates.

The Dalek's voice shook the Doctor out of his thoughts. He desperately tried to think of a way out of the situation, but knew that for the moment at least, he was entirely helpless to do anything at all. Still, he had to try.

“Why? What do you need me for? Let the humans go, they are harmless, and no threat to you.” The Doctor asked. He knew it wouldn't listen. There was no negotiating with homicidal sociopaths like the Daleks. One usually couldn't reason with violent thugs, bigots, racists or bullies, because by their very nature, they were completely irrational.

“As representative of Earth, I wish to speak on their behalf....” Major Tibbets began, stepping forward.

“Ix-nay on the Earth-ay!” The Doctor hissed, trying to drag the major back.

But, it was too late. “You speak for the hu-mans? ” The harsh voice of the Command Dalek asked the major.

“I do.” The man answered, tearing his elbow away from the Doctor's grasp.

“In other words, shut up and keep back!” the Doctor whispered more fiercely, when Tibbets chose to ignore him.

“We have only one message for Earth.” The Central Command Dalek said.

“What is it you wish to say to them?” the major asked it, standing almost unconsciously at parade dress.

“No!” The Doctor shouted, as the Central Command Dalek answered the major.

“EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTER-MIN-AATE! ”

Without further warning, the two guard Daleks fired. As the man twisted about and screamed in mortal agony, his body glowed green, clearly revealing the outline of his skeleton. Major Tibbets was dead before he hit the floor. Then, the two Daleks turned. They aimed their weapons on Malcolm, Rory and Amy.