Oregon FAIL 1

[brb_evil]

I own Oregon Trail. You must have heard of that, computer game, pioneer simulation-y thing. Right. So I have a bit of an obsession with going in, naming all the characters after a certain fandom, and then playing it through, writing in the Diary in character. Incredibly geeky, I know. I've already done it once with the characters from Howl's Moving Castle. And now, because of how much I'm into it, I decided to do it with Doctor Who, with the Doctor (Tenth), Rose, Jack, Donna, Martha and Sarah Jane.
And I'm going to post it here. The italics is the stuff the Diary puts in automatically and the rest is actually me. A warning: most of this was done between two and three in the morning so it may be rather bad. Or out of character. Sorry. Also, it's HUGE, so it's going to be in two posts. Spoilers for Season Two of Torchwood.

February 29, 1848

Here begins the journal of the Doctor, formerly a doctor. Tomorrow we leave Independence behind to begin our journey west to Oregon City. We must still purchase the supplies that our large farmwagon will hold to sustain us during our long trek.

I hope that the following skills will prove of some use along the trail: medical, tracking, botany, cooking.

 

STRANDED in America in the 1800's.

 

Shortly after finding Rose again, I set a course for the Y'ren galaxy and...may have accidentally beamed us out of it. Totally unforeseen and unavoidably (although Donna does NOT believe me). Note to self: Stay away from Donna for at least a week. She won't stop HITTING me and Rose just thinks it's funny.

Sarah Jane Smith, Martha Jones and Jack Harkness have also been pressed into this adventure with us, a stray temporal strand must have scooped them in from where they were standing beside the TARDIS.

 

March 1, 1848

Took advantage of the package deal offered to me. What a relief not to have to shop for all that individually!

Saw a headline today: Former President John Quincy Adams Dies

Purchased 10 pounds of celery.

 

Sarah is being very nice about it but Martha and Jack aren't very happy: they have their respective teams to think about.

Luckily, with the aid of a few things I had in my pockets, I was able to construct a basic tracking device and determine that the TARDIS, while separated from us was only diverted to Oregon, where, luckily, there is a wagon train going. Jack got us some money (I'd prefer not to know how...) and we will be joining it on its trip West.

I hope we do not fall prey to some of the...more dangerous elements of the untamed wild. Ooh, I like that, untamed wild. I'll make sure to say it.

 

Saw Blue River today.

The ice looks like it will hold the wagon... So across we go.

Today we drove our wagons and teams past Westport.

 

March 3, 1848

We saw a small party of coyotes today, just a mile or so west of New Santa Fe.

 

Donna, of course, instantly jumped down my throat about it.

"You didn't tell me there'd be wild animals! Why didn't you make some sort of device that could bring the TARDIS to us!"

All of the things I could have used to do that were on the TARDIS. I more than anyone wish we could do that, but we CAN'T.

 

...It's very nice to have Rose back, though.

 

Note to self: remember to tell her...the thing.

 

March 4, 1848

Heard news of a murder and hanging last night near Lone Elm. Enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

 

March 5, 1848

Martha has a bad cold. We're going to increase fluid intake.

 

Can't do anything to cure the common cold...I'm sure all of this chilly weather can't be good for her, but she'll know better than us how she's feeling. She is, after all, a doctor.

 

Sarah confided to me that she is rather worried about a ward she seems to have found that she calls Luke. I'll try to drop her home at the same time we left...I'll make sure.

 

Jack and Donna seem to be getting on rather well...

 

March 6, 1848

 

I have been wondering lately what could have caused the temporal surge when I pulled the spatial detraller. I had taken all the precautions, so there is no discernable reason for the TARDIS to virtually spit us out. I must remember to find out before we leave.

 

March 7, 1848

In good spirits today; got as far as Blue Mound.

 

"It's a mound and it's blue," Donna was saying today. "I am seriously impressed at the inventiveness of these settlers."

Then she managed to insult some of the town's residents.

At least Martha's a little less sniffly, it was driving me up the wall.

 

I nearly told Rose today. She is being so brilliant all the time, well, like always, but it's so obvious when we're in constantly harrowing situations. It keeps...almost coming out but then I can't say it, or it doesn't seem necessary. It's stupid of me because I know how necessary it really is...

 

March 11, 1848

The fog is as thick as pea soup. I reckon we'll continue as usual.

We spotted a group of strangers and decided it would be best to approach them.

We talked to them.

Mr. Lumare figured we would reach Kansas River today, and he was right.

 

Jack found me writing in this Diary today.

Now he won't stop making fun of me. It makes it very hard to get him to stop flirting with everyone, especially when we met a small party of Native Americans today. They were all rather annoyed at a wasteful hunting party that had swept through before and Jack kept 'saying hello'.

That reminds me, I hope food doesn't run low. I don't want to need us to use the guns that Jack managed to smuggle on...I don't think I can gather enough flora to make up for the protein.

 

March 14, 1848

Passed the hundred mile mark today.

Made an early start this morning; passed Saint Mary’s Mission.

 

We've only been traveling half a month, but it already feels like ages. I hate linear traveling. It gets boring so quickly.

 

March 15, 1848

 

Martha still has a mild cold. I can't help but be a little worried. I haven't access to any sort of REAL medical facilities. And there is always the chance the others will catch it.

It doesn't seem to be stopping her from gossiping with all FIVE of the others behind my back, about ME I have no doubt. The giggling will probably drive me mad.

 

March 16, 1848

Today our labors were rewarded with the sight of Red Vermillion River.

Felt somewhat weary today. Passed Scott Spring.

 

Dull, dull, dull.

 

March 19, 1848

Arrived at Alcove Spring, despite some “help” from Nicholas J. Tillman.

From our guidebook, estimated we would reach Big Blue River today, and sure enough, there it was!

 

I believe Jack has made a 'conquest'.

Oh, weird, I've never said that before.

...and I hope I don't need to again. I did find him and this Nicholas bloke inside the wagon, though. Scarred Martha's virgin eyes, I shouldn't wonder, although Sarah and Rose found it rather hysterically funny. Donna wasn't there, having wandered off for some reason. I insisted that if Jack was going to canoodle with history that he do it in someone else's wagon. I don't want to have to clean up.

 

March 21, 1848

A delay prevented us from crossing at Big Blue River. We're going to wait our turn to cross.

Decided to caulk the wagon and float it across.

 

I hate rivers. In fact, I'm learning to hate a whole series of things that I liked or hadn't much thought about before. I hate fog. I hate rain. I hate rivers. I hate bacon. And--

 

All right. We floated the wagon across.

 

...and Rose kissed me.

 

March 22, 1848

Had a bit of a run-in with another wagon party today near St. Joseph Road Junction, but we patched up our differences before nightfall.

 

Donna again. She made a lot of what she tells me were "totally inadvertantly rude comments" about the party and I had to go over and mediate until they decided not to attack us like they were apparently going to. Sarah was a great help.

 

March 26, 1848

Rose came down with a bad cold, and I decided to rest here awhile.

 

Rose is very sick. She says that she aches all over and that didn't happen with Martha. Saying...'it' now....it would only make it seem like I think...

I don't want to think about that. Rose will be fine. It's just a cold.

 

March 29, 1848

Heard some gunfire in the distance near The Narrows. Much concern all around.

 

Martha is feeling better, but it really seems as if she's passed her cold to Rose.

Also, someone has been messing with guns. Jack wants to go off, gung ho, guns blazing but I think that would be the most foolish thing he could possibly do.

 

March 30, 1848

 

Sarah and Donna had a run-in with a grumpy, tired bear today. I dread to think...

But they were fine. All that running with me seems to have done them good. The bear was, apparently, too tired to do anything and "I should stop worrying".

Well, fine.

 

April 2, 1848

 

Today I talked too much and was a know-it-all.

 

Um...thank you Donna...I don't think.

That's the last time I leave this book lying around.

 

April 3, 1848

Mr. and Mrs. Billings came by for a visit today near “The Coast of Nebraska”; had a very nice chat.

 

At least I think we did.

That's all I remember before they gave me Spiraea tea and I passed out for the next six hours. They thought I looked like I needed it and obviously they didn't take into account that I was an alien.

At least Jack managed to resuscitate me.

Donna didn't help, exactly, by dumping salt on me in the hopes that it would cure me.

 

April 4, 1848

We came across an abandoned wagon and decided to search it for something useful.

We found: 1 fishing pole; 2 30-yard spools of mending yarn; 1 kitchen cupboard.

Mr. and Mrs. Billings came by for a visit today near Fort Kearny; had a very nice chat.

 

It would have been more useful if it had contained water of some sort. We're all rather parched. At least Rose is better. Now would be the time--

 

 

The Billings won't leave me alone! I'm beginning to suspect something is up...no-one can be that committed to getting someone a cup of tea...

 

April 5, 1848

Sarah Jane has a concussion. We're going to administer laudanum.

 

I hate how humans age.

It's not...fair. This is hardly new to me, obviously, but if anything happens to Sarah...

I'm doing the best I can with what I have but she's not very responsive. Martha's being a great help. In fact, she keeps pushing me out of the way--says I'm hovering.

 

April 6, 1848

Had a lengthy chat with Mr. Lumare today near Plum Creek.

 

Donna interrupted me halfway, actually, saying that I was talking his ear off. Well, what else does she expect me to do if Martha won't let me check up on Sarah.

Besides, I wasn't. We were talking about farmery things like crops and animal husbandry and I think he was enjoying the talk. Probably.

Well, it wasn't polite of---not that Donna's a very polite person. Sometimes. Not to me.

 

April 9, 1848

 

We have rested here for a while, but Sarah's condition doesn't seem to be improving. I'll hope for the best.

 

April 14, 1848

Reached O’Fallon’s Bluffs about noon--about time!

 

Sarah is well again.

 

 

 

I love Rose. I LOVE Rose. Why can't I say it to her face? I've loved so many people but I never tell them. I don't feel I need to or it just isn't...all right. I'm a coward. I've never even told Sarah. Or....Romana...

I hope we get to Oregon soon. All this empty time in which to think is playing havoc with my mind. I don't want TIME to think. I want to be doing something, not just walking and riding and walking and eating and NOTHING.

 

April 15, 1848

We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to wait for conditions to improve.

 

Found Jack and Donna together. I REALLY haven't been paying enough attention.

 

April 19, 1848

Today came to South Platte River.

Fording the river looks to be our best option.

We tipped the wagon and lost   47 pounds of bacon; 7 pounds of cheese; 11 pounds of coffee beans; 2 10-lb. sacks of cornmeal; and various other items.

 

Donna didn't last long with Jack. At least she's slapping someone else that isn't me. It makes a nice change.

 

All right, scratch that. She gave me a good wallop when we ACCIDENTALLY tipped over the wagon fording the river with her inside. It didn't help that Jack laughed.

 

April 21, 1848

Today we have traveled 500 miles.

Sore feet today, but I'll manage. Saw Ash Hollow.

 

And I can't get that song out of my head. Rose says that she'll get everyone to attack me unless I stop singing it. I can't help it. I made calculations and now the Proclaimers echo constantly through my mind. What else is there to do?

 

April 25, 1848

Reached Courthouse and Jail Rocks about noon--about time!

 

I can almost TASTE the end of this journey. Actually...I can. There's a slight grit of wheat and sand in the air.

I don't really mind it as much at this point. I'm nearly used to it--although I'm still not fond of the amount of blank time I have to just THINK.

 

April 27, 1848

Saw a mountain lion not far from Scotts Bluff.

Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near Robidoux Pass Trading Post.

 

And it was a mark of how long we've been traveling that Donna hardly reacted. In fact, Martha was more concerned than her. She's been looking after the other members of this wagon train (as someone with small skill in medicines, no-one here believes that she's a doctor. They hardly believe that I don't OWN her) and she's running out of bandages. Neither of us want to have to deal with a lion attack.

 

April 28, 1848

It was extremely foggy early today. We figured it was best to continue as usual.

 

Mr. Tillman seems to have found out about Jack and Donna and is spreading rumours about her as a 'loose woman'. I think it's extremely funny but Donna is inclined to disagree. So are all the other women, actually, so I've had to put up with a lot of glares as if I'M the one spreading the rumours.

 

May 1, 1848

Mr. Lumare figured we would reach Laramie River today, and he was right.

 

...I think I'm running out of things to write about.

 

Fording the river looks to be our best option.

We lost   13 pounds of bacon; 1 pound of cheese; 4 5-lb. sacks of dried fruit; 2 5-lb. sacks of dried vegetables; and various other items when our wagon became swamped in the river.

We were treated to a remarkably beautiful sunset near Fort John.

 

I can't believe I just tried to ford a river that deep. Three feet! All this time on the open road has rotted my mind.

 

At sunset today, the others went to a campfire and I was left alone to watch the sunset with Rose.

And she kissed me again. I nearly told her but the moment slipped away again. I don't think my time apart from her has taught me anything. She will die someday, and I will live on. I can't bear to...I can't commit without real commitment.

 

May 2, 1848

The wagon train reached Register Cliff this day.

 

I realised today. I think I have a sort of...allergy to ANY commitment. I never told Romana, even though she was a Time Lord like myself.

 

Maybe I'll tell her when we reach the TARDIS.

 

May 6, 1848

We saw a small party of coyotes today, just a mile or so west of Ayers Natural Bridge.

 

I had a panicked moment today when my tracking device stopped registering the TARDIS but I soon realised that it was due to its bath in the river rather than the disappearance of the TARDIS. I'm going to try to fix it--we'll need it once we reach Oregon.

 

May 9, 1848

We rested a while not far from North Platte River.

Decided to caulk the wagon and float it across.

Arrived at Mormon Ferry Trading Post today.

Another step on the trail; today we reached Emigrant Gap.

 

No more river disasters. It's about time.

 

May 10, 1848

Reached another prominent landmark today: Willow Springs.

 

As Donna pointed out, there were no willows or springs. I said that there might have been once but Donna is a hard person to convince of anything.

 

May 12, 1848

Happened upon a fresh grave near Independence Rock. A reminder of the hazards we all face on the this journey.

 

And a reminder of the mortality of humans. Or of all the people I've known...I really have too much time to think.

 

Saw Devil’s Gate today.

 

Oh, brilliant! Devil's Gate, makes me think of that strange planet Rose and I went to--and the false prophecy. Well, partially false. Misleading, perhaps. All that matters is that Rose is back now.

 

May 13, 1848

Came to Split Rock.

We stopped along the trail to fish. We obtained 13 pounds of fish.

 

All this dried food can't be good for us. I let Jack do what he's been aching to do for ages and catch us some fresh fish, whereupon we had the most delicious dinner we've had for AGES.

...I miss my food generator. And my kitchen.

 

May 14, 1848

Found a clean, well-formed ox skull a short ways from Three Crossings; tempted to take it with me, but decided against it.

 

Mostly because Donna said it was disgusting. But it was intriguing, and I have the pocket room...I suppose it IS a bit grisly.

 

May 15, 1848

The other wagons are churning up thick dust. We're going to continue as usual.

Encamped a while near Sweetwater River.

Decided to ford the river.

 

Sarah congratulated me on my currently successful bout at captaining this expedition. Well, I knew I WOULD be successful, but it was sweet of her all the same.

I...should see if she'd like to come with me for a bit. Not for very long...she could bring that son of hers, Luke, that she's always talking about if she likes.

 

May 17, 1848

The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near Ice Spring Slough.

 

Jack got into a fight with Nick today. At least I hope it was a fight. It rather annoyed all of the other settlers, though. I tried to break it up, but was called 'Limey' and several other ruder things by Mr. Tillman and thus decided that Jack could probably handle the situation. I gave him a chance, anyway.

 

May 18, 1848

The dust from other wagons has gotten bad. We decided to continue as usual.

 

All this dust is horrible. I can hardly see my hand in front of my face.

 

May 19, 1848

The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

 

I can get by quite well through the dust due to my respiratory bypass, but everyone else is choked by it. I almost feel rather guilty when I am talking to someone who is coughing madly while I am perfectly fine.

 

May 21, 1848

We're nearly choking on the dust of the trail. We've decided to continue as usual.

There was a wedding in camp today not far from Final Sweetwater River Crossing. A joyous occasion in the wilderness!

 

I hardly believe it myself, but it was between Nicholas and some woman he's found. I can't help but be cynical and believe that he is doing it to spite Jack.

 

May 22, 1848

We hope for some rain to settle the dust. For the time being, we'll continue as usual.

A thick fog rolled in today. Looks like we'll continue as usual.

Today we drove our wagons and teams past South Pass.

Today I saw Pacific Springs.

Went gathering. We found edible Sunflower seeds, edible Black Mustard greens and edible Blue-bead Clintonia berries.

Went gathering. We found edible Blue-bead Clintonia berries, edible Chickory leaves and roots and edible Yucca flowers and pods.

 

Between the fog and the dust, the air is becoming nearly opaque. I feel like I can lean on it, although of course that particular phenomenon only occurs in Traballere. I must remember to take Rose and Donna there (and Sarah?) when all this is over.

 

Besides that, I am trying to provide for us as close to a balanced diet as I can manage, despite the tedious work that is foraging. They'd better appreciate it.

 

May 24, 1848

The eternal dust of the wagons ahead of us is most troublesome. We will continue as usual.

Reached “Parting of the Ways” about noon--about time!

 

I wish that we were not traveling in the midst of the summer. I see this as becoming a great hazard later.

 

May 25, 1848

 

The animals are exhausted and with good reason. We're all tired. The heat is unbearable (I find myself increasingly closer to a form of heat stroke) and there is hardly any water. I should have bought more canteens.

 

May 26, 1848

The animals are exhausted and can't continue. I've decided to stop and rest awhile.

 

I think we all needed this. I've been sleeping under the wagon, which is blissfully cool, although I do have tendency to get extremely muddy. I lie on a blanket, but I don't think my blue suit will ever be quite the same.

 

May 27, 1848

Reached Haystack Butte about noon--about time!

 

I long for the mud once more...I'd rather be muddy than this endless dust.

 

May 29, 1848

We ran short of water and Jack is suffering from thirst. We will rest here awhile.

 

Everyone is parched. This isn't a desert but it certainly feels like one.

Jack has been suffering especially so I decided to give us all a rest.

 

May 30, 1848

We suffered a terrible loss. Sarah Jane has died of thirst. We plan to provide a proper burial.

 

NO.

 

I can't...

 

Sarah...

 

May 31, 1848

Had a pleasant talk with Miss Whitney today in the vicinity of Green River.

 

Who am I fooling. I don't have the heart to...

She said she would come with me. She would bring Luke and she might....

I must find Luke when...

I HATE this country.

I still can't believe...

 

June 2, 1848

Passed the thousand mile mark today!

The mosquitoes are driving us crazy, keeping us awake at night. We must continue.

 

And yet we still have such a long way to go. I can only hope that we don't...

No. I don't even want to think that.

 

Why didn't I notice how dehydrated she was? She always kept on such a determined face but she'd never been one to let me ignore her before.

 

June 3, 1848

A thick fog rolled in today. Looks like we'll continue as usual.

We ran short of water and I am suffering from thirst. We will go faster.

 

I don't know what to do. I HATE being at such a loss. This thirst...it will take us all.

 

A very sad day, Rose has died of thirst. We will provide a proper burial.

Saw an empty wagon abandoned on the trail today near Branley Pass. If it could talk, what stories it might tell!

 

 

 

ROSE.

I couldn't....

Oh Rassilon, WHY?

 

And I never had the chance....

Why am I such a COWARD? Why do I lose everything?

Continued here.