Post by Avon on Aug 22, 2005 12:42:20 GMT -5
(By Avon. c. 2004.)
CHAPTER ONE:
It had been almost seven year's now, since, SARAH JANE SMITH had left her connections with the secret government organisation know as, U.N.I.T. (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, to be precise), behind her for, hopefully, a more peaceful and, relaxed existence!
Sara, was no longer a freelance journalist, either, these days. Now, she lived not in the fast hectic rat-race of, London but, the tranquil countryside of the, North Yorkshire Dales. She'd left her friends far behind - no longer visiting, but, preferring a quiet life as, an authoress of science fiction novels.
In fact, she was quite successful, too - having three novels to her credit and, another that she was currently working on. Even, if it was only one and, a half chapters completed, so far! On this particular afternoon she, wasn't in the mood for writing any of her latest book. So, she decided to go out for a walk and, in any case she did need the exercise and, inspiration - she told herself!
Leaving her tiny cottage, she walked down the main street of the village of Hutton-le-Hole, until she came to the path leading to the nearby woods. The day was very warm and, sunny and, it was early springtime. She didn't know why it was but, today she could do nothing but, think of her old friend's - the Brigadier and, in particular, the DOCTOR!
(The DOCTOR - that mysterious long-time friend but, then she'd not seen him since ...!)
Trying, hard to put these sad thoughts out of her mind, continuing on into the woods, she came across a small track not too often used by the looks of things. Looking at her watch, it was almost two-thirty in the afternoon - plenty of time, before tea. Turning down this track she only intended going so far then, returning - well in time for tea and, perhaps, some writing - or, she'd have Oliver Bridewell, her publisher, breathing down her neck. However, when she set off down that track, little did she know that she would find something very familiar to her past.
CHAPTER TWO:
The path, itself, was very rough and, very narrow in places but, Sarah Jane was enjoying herself, so why worry, she thought? She'd reckoned that she must have walked for about two miles and, was beginning to feel in need of a short rest when, she heard a rather familiar sound ahead of her. She couldn't really believe it, either, after all these years! Slowly, a large blue square shape was materialising, to the high pitched sould she knew so well, right in front of her. Moment's later the shape of the very familiar TARDIS blocked the narrow path which, could only mean that her old friend the, DOCTOR, had returned to Earth ... Yet, why here and, why right now?
The high pitched creshendo ceased almost as suddenly as it had started and, the sounds soon resumed the quietness of the countryside and, the Tardis door opened. Expecting the Doctor to appear, Sarah was surprised when nothing happend yet, the door remained open. Just like him, she thought. Well, seeing that he wasn't going to come out, she'd better go in. Even though, perhaps, her better judgement was trying to persuade her otherwise. As, she entered she wondered if the Doctor had physically changed, again, and, indeed if he'd even remember her? After all, having experienced two very different Doctor's, a third wasn't that unlikely.
Soon, she found herself standing in the Tardis control room which, had been re-decorated and, somewhat altered from, what she remembered when she'd been travelling inside. Still, there was no sign of the Doctor?
Whilst, she was deciding whether or, not to leave. In strode the Doctor, still physically the same if, a little older looking.
"Doctor!" spoke Sarah.
"Sarah?" grinned the Doctor. "Sarah Jane, is it really you? How did you get in here?"
"Walked in, how d'you think! Well, just in case you've got lost - again? You're back on planet EARTH and, you did leave the door wide open!"
"Oh?" replied the Doctor. "Fancy a short trip, Sarah?"
"Well, Doctor, I've really got to get back." replied Sarah.
(Having that feeling that she'd had many times before. There was no such thing as a short trip, especially, where both the Doctor and, his equally, mysterious spacecraft, the Tardis were concerned!)
"Go on - just for old times sake. Eh?" replied the Doctor, pretending to suddenly look very, disappointed. "Then you can tell me all that's been happening to you, since we last met?"
"Alright, you win - Doctor!" smiled Sarah.
(He never changed, she thought, especially, when it came to the Doctor being able to get his own way. And, she'd have to admit it, really - she, was somewhat, equally, curious to know what he'd been up to, in the past seven year's?)
"I, knew you'd say yes." grinned the Doctor - brushing a hand through his mass of uncontrolled curly hair.
For the tardis, was by now, in any case, already, on its journey somewhere in the time space vortex...?
"Hm." came the reply. As, the Doctor broke off from fiddling with some complicated looking piece of machinery, that he was working on. "What is it, Sarah?"
"Look at the scanner!" replied Sarah.
The Doctor, also now saw what Sarah did.
It was an emense spacecraft of some kind which, was in its turn orbiting a planet. It, was obviously of alien origin and, design - yet, it was beautifully sectioned with a main body and, three smaller sections branching off, from the hull. It had an almost breath-taking symetrical quality to it only, broken by a huge green globe structure towards the aft end of the ship.
However, what was immediately noticeable was, the crafts orbit which, was somewhat erratic - indicating, that it was almost certainly in trouble and, possibly in, serious danger of crashing to the surface of the planet below. Sarah knew instantly, without even asking the Doctor his intentions.
The Tardis was already materialising in the main hold of the Liberator. Winding his emensely long multi-coloured scarf around his neck and, placing a floopy hat on his mass of unrully curly hair. He operated the door controls and, strode out side leaving, Sarah to hurriedly follow him.
Moving cautiously down a dimly lit corridor, it didn't take them that long before they found themeselves, standin in what seemed to be the control room of the craft.
"It seems deserted?" said Sarah. "Dyou think any of the crew are left?"
"Possibly, but, that's what we're going to find out." answered the Doctor. "One thing's certain, a ship this size wouldn't need a large crew to operate it. There seems to be only six control seats and, in any case, at a rough guess, this ship could be piloted by less."
"Well, what would a ship like this be doing? It doesn't look like a warship?" answered Sarah.
"I'd say that it was some type of survey ship - definitely, alien in origin but, with humanoid life, judging by the controls and, arrangements." replied the Doctor. Who by now was busy flicking a few controls on a nearby console, whenboth of them heard a voice.
Looking round immediately, neither, of them found anyone. It was Sarah who noticed something behind the Doctor. Set into the wall was a large circular facia from, which, came a series of random flashing lights. The mysterious voice continued...!
"INTRUDER ALERT...INDICATORS REVEAL TWO LIFEFORMS...ONE HUMAN FEMALE AND...ONE ALIEN MALE...HAVE LANDED ABOARD IN A CRAFT OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN...THEY ARE SITUATED ON THE FLIGHTDECK...REPORT ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND...CONFIRM..."
"That's our voice, Sarah." smiled the Doctor. "It's a computer.
Explains why basic life support systems still appear to be functioning - but, it doesn't, however, explain the missing crew, I'm afraid?"
Addressing the computer, the Doctor spoke calmly, yet, with an air of authority in his voice. "Any idea where you are and, you wouldn't by any chance happen to know the whereabouts of the crew, would you?"
Silence. The Doctor was just about to repeat his question, again, when the computer's voice replied.
"INFORMATION...YOU ARE ONBOARD THE DEEP SPACE VESSEL LIBERATOR...ALL DATA RELATING TO PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF SHIPS CREW ARE UNKNOWN...DUE TO TEMPORARY MALFUNCTION OF THE INBOARD SENSORS, EXCEPT FOR THE FLIGHTDECK AREA...REPAIRS TO SENSORS ARE NOW IN HAND...OUTER SENSORS INDICATE THAT THE SHIP IS STILL IN CLOSE ORBIT AROUND THE PLANET CELTRON...THE PLANET IS EXTREMELY ACTIVE ... WITH HIGH RADIATION LEVELS ... SUGGESTING...THEREFORE...ONLY A LIMITED CAPABILITY OF SUSTAINING HUMANOID LIFEFORMS..."
Seeing that they'd get little more useful help or, information from the computer, right now, Sarah and, the Doctor were about to split up and, search the ship.
"INFORMATION...SENSORS INDICATE ESTIMATED DECAY OF CURRENT ORBIT TO BE THIRTEEN...POINT...THREE STANDARD EARTH HOURS...PLEASE ADVISE COURSE OF ACTION TO BE TAKEN...CONFIRM..."
It was, Sarah who found the crew or, rather those barely still alive, firt. She found herself standing in what seemed to be a very advanced, ver well-equipped sickbay, of the ship. Three of the six beds appeared to be occupied - two males and, a female, in a very bad state. It wasn't long before the Doctor had joined her, taking in the scene for himself. A quick examination, left the Doctor with little doubt of, the cause of the ilness.
"Radiation." replied the Doctor, grimly. "They all have acute radiation sickness. So, they must've been down on that planet? Trouble is, if it's not treated soon, it'll most defintely result in death! I only hope that we've not arrived too late, already."
"That's horrible!" replied Sarah. "Isn't there anything that we can do for them, at all, Doctor?"
"They've little hope left, I'm afraid, unless I can find an antidote to the radiation they've acquirred, in time."
Searching through the well-equipped sickbay produced little result. There was nothing onboard, that the Doctor could use to stop the radiation sickness, unfortunately, taking its full course.
"Sarah, you stay here and, do what you can for them..."
"Why, where are you going?"
"Back to the Tardis, to try to make a suitable antidote. There's nothing of much use here. "replied the Doctor. "I only hope I can make it before, its too late, for their sakes. With a bit of luck I, can link up the Tardis' telepathic circuits with, the ships computer - that may help save time, at least." and, with that he vanished.
CHAPTER THREE:
Alone, again, Sarah began to feel totally helpless to do anything. The Doctor had been gone for what felt to her like ages! What was taking him so long? All that she could do was to wait and, watch over the three remaining crew. The female seemed to be the worst - almost in a deep coma. Not that the two males seemed far from being in the same condition, she thought. What was taking the Doctor so long? Just as she was debating whether or, not to go and, see if the Doctor wanted any help - her train of thought was broken, by the sudden violent movements of the third crew member.
Moving over to his bed she, tried to calm him and, realised he was in the grip of a high fever. In fact, he was literally burning up! Never, having seen the results of someone suffering from acute radiation sickness she, wasn't sure if the 'fever' was a good sign or, not. His movements became increasingly more violent, as if he seemed to be desparately fighting the 'fever'. Sarah, found it harder to try to calm him and, just as she was trying to restrain yet, more violent tossing - the Doctor, returned withwhat he hoped would cure the three crew. The other male, too, was just starting to show similar 'feverish' symptoms.
"Doctor - will it work?" she asked.
"Let's hope so, Sarah." answered the Doctor - quickly administering the antidote. First, to the crew member that Sarah had been trying to calm down. Then, to the other two, in turn. "Let's hope so!"
Luckily, it seemed to take effect almost immediately and, he calmed down to an almost peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER FOUR:
"You've done it, Doctor!" cried a relieved Sarah.
"Looks like I, have." grinned the Doctor. "They should wake-up with one hell of a headache but, he and, his friends should be fine, otherwise. I'll just check that all is well on the flightdeck. Will you be alright, Sarah?"
(Before she'd a chance to say anything, the Doctor had vanished, again.)
It, was only now that she finally stopped worrying that, she had a chance to really take notice of what he looked like. Even, despite his dishevelled appearance due to the 'fever'. He was quite handsome, eve, regal looking, in fact. His hair was a deep, rich velvet brown shade. Sarah figured him to be somewhere in his forties. Though, she wasn't very good at assessing people's ages, anyway! Two peircing brown eyes gazed enquiringly at her - before, she suddenly realised he was awake.
"Who...?"
"Don't try to talk. I'm Sarah and, my friend the Doctor will be back in a moment."
"Blake...? Jenna...?"
"Your name - Blake? Or, it that your friend's names?" replied Sarah, gently. Now trying even harder to prevent Avon, from getting up from the bed.
"No - Blake and, Jenna - they both got separated down on the planet. Must go to the flightdeck and..."
"You're not going anywhere". answered Sarah. "Try to rest, please."
However, much Avon wanted too - he suddenly realised he didn't have the strength to get up. So, giving in to Sarah's gentle persuasion to stay put in bed - he relented. One thing he definitely was acutely aware of was, a splitting headache!
"How are the other's...? Vila? Cally?" enquired Avon.
"Sleeping." smiled Sarah. "They'll be alright. Don't worry!"
"By the way, my name is, Avon - Kerr Avon." he smiled. "Thank you."
Just then the Doctor returned.
"Ah, I see you're awake. How d'you feel?"
"You mean apart from a chorus of drums in my head - I, guess I'll survive."
Avon, was now sat on the edge of the bed still, a little shakey but, strenght was gradually returning. It was then he noticed the conditions of Vila and, Cally. He attempted standing by, using the bed for support.
"I must get to the flightdeck and, Zen to see how things are?" said Avon.
"Oh, everything's alright." reassured the Doctor. "Your computer seems to be coping with the situation."
"But, Blake and, Jenna? We left them down on the surface of, Celtron - when, we got split up - Zen failed to locate and, teleport them back up, before, we all ended up in the sickbay as, you found us. How are Cally and Vila? They'll be alright, won't they?" continued Avon.
"They've had the same antidote as you and, they should recover. Don't worry, dear chap!" grinned the Doctor.
(Although, he didn't say anything he, doubted that their missing friends would be alive for long - if they weren't already dead on the radioactive planet, far below.)
"Thing's will work out, alright. You'll see." replied the Doctor.
And, with that he left for the flightdeck.
"Is, your friend always like that?" asked Avon.
"Well, he knows what he's doing, usually." smiled Sarah, crossing her finger's behind her back. "Nine times out of ten!"
Vila was slowly beggingin to awake and, like Avon - his head was splitting.
"Oh! My head! What's happened?" quizzed Vila, starring at Sarah. "I'm dreaming - right?"
"No, you're not!" said Avon, harshly. "When you've finished feeling sorry for yourself, as usual - Blake and, Jenna are still down on, Celtron! I'm going to the flightdeck to help the Doctor."
And, with that Avon left the sickbay before, Vila had time to reply.
"That, by the way, was Avon - take no notice, he's a walking computer - no feelings!" grinned Vila. "I, on the other hand, I'm called, Vila Restal, at your service - are you doing anything later on?"
"How are you feeling?" asked Sarah.
"Like I've been kicked in the head!" replied Vila. "You wouldn't happen to have a drink on you, by any chance?"
"Sorry!" answered Sarah, wondering if this, curious little man was joking or, not.
Just then, Vila noticed Cally.
(Who was still lying in some kind of deep coma.)
"That's Cally - she's not...? I, mean, er...Dead, is she?
(Was luck running out for the, Liberator crew, thought Vila. They'd only recently lost Gan. He'd died in an explosion thanks to Travis! The prospect that Cally might die as well, not too mention Blake and, Jenna? If, they weren't already dead on Celtron? Was too painful for Vila, to contemplate at that moment!)
"No, she's still alive." said Sarah. "Some sort of coma, we think. The Doctor, says you should all recover fully."
"Doctor?"
"A friend of mine." continued Sarah. "He's on the flightdeck I, think with your computer. Anyway, that's where Avon said he was going."
"Guess, we'd better go there, then." replied Vila, now feeling a little stronger.
"Need any help?" asked Sarah, trying not to show worry.
"Thanks!" replied Vila.
Taking Sarah's arm for support, slowly, the two of them made their way to the flightdeck, to hear the tail end of the conversation between Avon and, the Doctor.
"Your computer, does it run the ship?"
"You could say that, in a way - life support, teleport, battle computers and, weapons systems - yes!" replied Avon, now seated at his usual station on the flightdeck. "Glad, you could find the time to join us!"
As, Vila and, Sarah entered the flightdeck. His cutting remark being aimed at Vila, rather than at, Sarah Jane.
Just then, they were all interrupted by the computer.
"INFORMATION...SCANNERS DETECT ENEMY SHIPS..."
"How many, Zen?" asked Avon, alarmed - that's all they needed at this moment.
"THREE...IT IS CONFIRMED THAT THEY ARE FEDERATION PURSUIT SHIP COMING INTO ATTACK POSITION...STATE REQUIRED ACTION TO BE TAKEN...?"
"Zen, get us out of here." said Avon. "Course, speed standard by eight - long enough tp lose them. Then, return to present status in orbit around Celtron."
"COURSE AND SPEED...CONFIRMED...!"
It wasn't too long before the, Liberator had left its pursuers far behind.
CHAPTER FIVE:
Meanwhile, on the surface of the planet, Celtron - Roj Blake was still alive but, he knew his chances for survival much longer were, rapidly decreasing the longer he stayed exposed. Had the other's made it back to the, Liberator safely? He'd no idea - as he couldn't raise any response on his communicator bracelet and, had been unable to do so for some time. They should have been trying to set up a rescue by now or, did they figure that he and, Jenna must be dead? So, therefore, it was a waste of time. Only time would tell and, that he knew was running out and, running out fast!
Jenna, was in a much worse state than Blake was, as, she'd already fallen into a semi-unconscious coma.
Back, onboard, the Liberator, Vila, had, somehow, managed to find himself a bottle which, he was now engrossed in emptying.
Cally, still lay in a semi-coma in the sickbay with, Sarah keeping an eye on her. Whilst, Avon and, the Doctor checked over radiation suits and, equipment for the proposed rescue of Blake and, Jenna - if, they were still alive?
"INFORMATION...LIBERATOR NOW BACK IN CLOSE ORBIT AROUND THE PLANET CELTRON...TELEPORT FACILITIES CURRENTLY INOPERABLE...AUTO-REPAIRS ARE CURRENTLY IN OPERATION...YOU WILL BE ADVISED WHEN REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE..."
"Now, Zen, tells us!" moaned Vila.
"Shut up, Vila." retorted Avon, annoyingly.
"Seems there is only one thing for it - I'll just pop down in the Tardis." said the Doctor. As, if he was going for a morning stroll! "If you can relay the co-ordinates you used to Tardis, I'll be on my way!"
"Zen, is that possible?" enquired Avon.
"A LINK IS POSSIBLE...CONFIRM WHEN TRANSFER OF DATA IS NEEDED AND LENGTH OF TIME...INFORMATION...HEAVY VOLCANIC ACTIVITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE CO-ORDINATES YOU REQUIRE...SUGGEST NEW CO-ORDINATES BE USED INSTEAD...SIXTY THREE...POINT TWO THREE...ZERO SEVEN...CONFIRM...!"
"Do you need any help Doctor? I'll come with you." said Avon.
(He was already wearing the radiation suit they been checking, earlier.)
"No, I don't think that will be necessary." grinned the Doctor. "I only hope that, I'll be in time to find your two friends."
With that he headed in the direction of the Tardis and, was soon in the control room preparing to transfer the relayed co-ordinates, from Zen's computer banks into the Tardis console. Within seconds the Tardis disappeared from the main hold, of the Liberator, heading through the time-space vortex to the, highly radioactive planet, Celtron, far below.
CHAPTER SIX:
Still conscious but, feeling sick from the radiation which, was, finally, beginning to take a hold of Blake. He'd flound slight protection in the ruins of what had once been a Federation base and, succeeded in carrying Jenna there. It had been abandoned when, the activities of the volcanic planet Celtron had, become too dangerous to keep the Federation personnel on, this outpost of, Federation grip.
They lay in, what he figured to be, the basement of what had been the main control room, of the base. Slowly, losing consciousness - so, thought Blake, this hostile planet was to be where 'his' dreams of crushing the, corrupt Federation would now end.
Moments later he was vaguely aware of a weird creshendo of noise and, a blue shape materialising infront of him. Now - hallucinating - he thought as, he saw someone coming towards him and, he was mildly aware of being slowly dragged but, nothing more as, he passed out completely on the floor of the Tardis control room.
Blake didn't know it but, Jenna, lay close by - almost in a complete coma, now! As, the Tardis de-materialised on its way back, to the Liberator . The next thing that, Blake was aware of was, coming too in the sickbay of the, Liberator with Avon, Vila, Cally ( who was now fully recovered) and, two strangers - all standing by his bed.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Blake!" said Avon. "How d'you feel?"
"Don't ask!" said Blake. "How? I, remember being on the surface and,...?"
"Luckily, for us and, you - the Doctor and, his friend Sarah Jane - somehow landed onboard, Liberator in time to help us." replied Avon. "We all had acute radiation sickness - you too!"
"Jenna?" queried Blake.
"She was pretty bad." replied Avon. "But, she'll make it."
A look of complete relief passed over Blake's face.
"Seems that we owe you our lives, Doctor!" said Blake "Thank you. What d'you intend to do now? You're very welcom to stay here and, join forces with us? Help us, to fight the Federation?"
"Well, I'm afraid I've other things to do, places to see." replied the Doctor. "And, Sarah Jane, here has that novel of her's to finish. Don't you Sarah? So, if you'll excuse us we'll be, on our way."
Sarah had noticed, that Avon had, disappeared from the sickbay.
(In fact, he was on the flightdeck checking the ships current status with Zen.)
"Where's Avon, gone to?" asked Sarah.
"Oh, don't worry about him." grinned Vila. "He's not one for sentiment. He'll be with his friends! Those infernal computer's!"
Shooting a look of disapproval towards Vila for this remark - Blake was, of course, sorry that he couldn't persuade them to both stay.
"Of course, that's your choice - once again, thank you on all our behalf's." replied Blake. "Good bye and, good luck - Doctor! Sarah Jane!"
CHAPTER SEVEN:
"And the same to you, my dear old chap!" smiled the Doctor.
Then he and, Sarah left the sickbay of the, Liberator to return to the Tardis. Minutes later, Sarah, the Doctor and, Tardis were heading on their way back hoped Sarah, to Earth!
Leaving, Blake, Avon, Cally, Vila and, Jenna to continue their fight gainst the evil forces of the, TERRAN FEDERATION.
"D'you think they'll ever win, Doctor?" asked Sarah.
"Perhaps, in time." replied the Doctor, busily working at the controls.
It wasn't very long before Sarah was, again, back home on, terra firms. And, once more she and, the Doctor said their goodbye's.
"Bye, Doctor - take care won't you?"
"I'll try." grinned the Doctor. "Good bye, Sarah."
And, with that he vanished inside the Tardis. The familiar creshendo of sounds rose and, subsided almost within seconds and, the Tardis' familiar blue police box shape disappeared - by, now in the time-space vortex - taking the, Doctor to adventures who knows where? She was even back on the narrow track she'd been on when she came across the Tardis.
Well, it was high time she got home. In practically, no time at all she was back in the main street of the quiet little village of, Hutton-le-Hole and, unlocking her front door. At, that moment the telephone in her study was ringing. Reaching it just in time, he picked up the receiver to hear her publisher, Oliver's not-too-friendly tone.
"Yes, Oliver - the book's starting to take shape rather nicely. I've been working on it all this afternoon." she lied.
(Very thankful, for the fact, that, video-phone's hadn't quite, yet, been invented except, of course, in science-fiction novels! Smiling to herself - 'the Doctor hadn't forgotten her!')
Hanging the telephone up she went to the kitchen and, made a nice cup of welcome tea and, a ham and, cheese sandwich before, returning to her study and, some serious work!
Only, not on the novel she'd started in the typewritter but, on a new storyline, completely! Sarah started typing her new story under the working title - 'Blake's Federation'.
It was going to be all about a group of rebels - by the names of, Roj Blake, Kerr Avon, Vila Restal, Cally and, Jenna Stannis - who, were fighting, against, a corruptly, evil empire called, the - TERRAN FEDERATION!
CHAPTER ONE:
It had been almost seven year's now, since, SARAH JANE SMITH had left her connections with the secret government organisation know as, U.N.I.T. (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, to be precise), behind her for, hopefully, a more peaceful and, relaxed existence!
Sara, was no longer a freelance journalist, either, these days. Now, she lived not in the fast hectic rat-race of, London but, the tranquil countryside of the, North Yorkshire Dales. She'd left her friends far behind - no longer visiting, but, preferring a quiet life as, an authoress of science fiction novels.
In fact, she was quite successful, too - having three novels to her credit and, another that she was currently working on. Even, if it was only one and, a half chapters completed, so far! On this particular afternoon she, wasn't in the mood for writing any of her latest book. So, she decided to go out for a walk and, in any case she did need the exercise and, inspiration - she told herself!
Leaving her tiny cottage, she walked down the main street of the village of Hutton-le-Hole, until she came to the path leading to the nearby woods. The day was very warm and, sunny and, it was early springtime. She didn't know why it was but, today she could do nothing but, think of her old friend's - the Brigadier and, in particular, the DOCTOR!
(The DOCTOR - that mysterious long-time friend but, then she'd not seen him since ...!)
Trying, hard to put these sad thoughts out of her mind, continuing on into the woods, she came across a small track not too often used by the looks of things. Looking at her watch, it was almost two-thirty in the afternoon - plenty of time, before tea. Turning down this track she only intended going so far then, returning - well in time for tea and, perhaps, some writing - or, she'd have Oliver Bridewell, her publisher, breathing down her neck. However, when she set off down that track, little did she know that she would find something very familiar to her past.
CHAPTER TWO:
The path, itself, was very rough and, very narrow in places but, Sarah Jane was enjoying herself, so why worry, she thought? She'd reckoned that she must have walked for about two miles and, was beginning to feel in need of a short rest when, she heard a rather familiar sound ahead of her. She couldn't really believe it, either, after all these years! Slowly, a large blue square shape was materialising, to the high pitched sould she knew so well, right in front of her. Moment's later the shape of the very familiar TARDIS blocked the narrow path which, could only mean that her old friend the, DOCTOR, had returned to Earth ... Yet, why here and, why right now?
The high pitched creshendo ceased almost as suddenly as it had started and, the sounds soon resumed the quietness of the countryside and, the Tardis door opened. Expecting the Doctor to appear, Sarah was surprised when nothing happend yet, the door remained open. Just like him, she thought. Well, seeing that he wasn't going to come out, she'd better go in. Even though, perhaps, her better judgement was trying to persuade her otherwise. As, she entered she wondered if the Doctor had physically changed, again, and, indeed if he'd even remember her? After all, having experienced two very different Doctor's, a third wasn't that unlikely.
Soon, she found herself standing in the Tardis control room which, had been re-decorated and, somewhat altered from, what she remembered when she'd been travelling inside. Still, there was no sign of the Doctor?
Whilst, she was deciding whether or, not to leave. In strode the Doctor, still physically the same if, a little older looking.
"Doctor!" spoke Sarah.
"Sarah?" grinned the Doctor. "Sarah Jane, is it really you? How did you get in here?"
"Walked in, how d'you think! Well, just in case you've got lost - again? You're back on planet EARTH and, you did leave the door wide open!"
"Oh?" replied the Doctor. "Fancy a short trip, Sarah?"
"Well, Doctor, I've really got to get back." replied Sarah.
(Having that feeling that she'd had many times before. There was no such thing as a short trip, especially, where both the Doctor and, his equally, mysterious spacecraft, the Tardis were concerned!)
"Go on - just for old times sake. Eh?" replied the Doctor, pretending to suddenly look very, disappointed. "Then you can tell me all that's been happening to you, since we last met?"
"Alright, you win - Doctor!" smiled Sarah.
(He never changed, she thought, especially, when it came to the Doctor being able to get his own way. And, she'd have to admit it, really - she, was somewhat, equally, curious to know what he'd been up to, in the past seven year's?)
"I, knew you'd say yes." grinned the Doctor - brushing a hand through his mass of uncontrolled curly hair.
For the tardis, was by now, in any case, already, on its journey somewhere in the time space vortex...?
"Hm." came the reply. As, the Doctor broke off from fiddling with some complicated looking piece of machinery, that he was working on. "What is it, Sarah?"
"Look at the scanner!" replied Sarah.
The Doctor, also now saw what Sarah did.
It was an emense spacecraft of some kind which, was in its turn orbiting a planet. It, was obviously of alien origin and, design - yet, it was beautifully sectioned with a main body and, three smaller sections branching off, from the hull. It had an almost breath-taking symetrical quality to it only, broken by a huge green globe structure towards the aft end of the ship.
However, what was immediately noticeable was, the crafts orbit which, was somewhat erratic - indicating, that it was almost certainly in trouble and, possibly in, serious danger of crashing to the surface of the planet below. Sarah knew instantly, without even asking the Doctor his intentions.
The Tardis was already materialising in the main hold of the Liberator. Winding his emensely long multi-coloured scarf around his neck and, placing a floopy hat on his mass of unrully curly hair. He operated the door controls and, strode out side leaving, Sarah to hurriedly follow him.
Moving cautiously down a dimly lit corridor, it didn't take them that long before they found themeselves, standin in what seemed to be the control room of the craft.
"It seems deserted?" said Sarah. "Dyou think any of the crew are left?"
"Possibly, but, that's what we're going to find out." answered the Doctor. "One thing's certain, a ship this size wouldn't need a large crew to operate it. There seems to be only six control seats and, in any case, at a rough guess, this ship could be piloted by less."
"Well, what would a ship like this be doing? It doesn't look like a warship?" answered Sarah.
"I'd say that it was some type of survey ship - definitely, alien in origin but, with humanoid life, judging by the controls and, arrangements." replied the Doctor. Who by now was busy flicking a few controls on a nearby console, whenboth of them heard a voice.
Looking round immediately, neither, of them found anyone. It was Sarah who noticed something behind the Doctor. Set into the wall was a large circular facia from, which, came a series of random flashing lights. The mysterious voice continued...!
"INTRUDER ALERT...INDICATORS REVEAL TWO LIFEFORMS...ONE HUMAN FEMALE AND...ONE ALIEN MALE...HAVE LANDED ABOARD IN A CRAFT OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN...THEY ARE SITUATED ON THE FLIGHTDECK...REPORT ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND...CONFIRM..."
"That's our voice, Sarah." smiled the Doctor. "It's a computer.
Explains why basic life support systems still appear to be functioning - but, it doesn't, however, explain the missing crew, I'm afraid?"
Addressing the computer, the Doctor spoke calmly, yet, with an air of authority in his voice. "Any idea where you are and, you wouldn't by any chance happen to know the whereabouts of the crew, would you?"
Silence. The Doctor was just about to repeat his question, again, when the computer's voice replied.
"INFORMATION...YOU ARE ONBOARD THE DEEP SPACE VESSEL LIBERATOR...ALL DATA RELATING TO PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF SHIPS CREW ARE UNKNOWN...DUE TO TEMPORARY MALFUNCTION OF THE INBOARD SENSORS, EXCEPT FOR THE FLIGHTDECK AREA...REPAIRS TO SENSORS ARE NOW IN HAND...OUTER SENSORS INDICATE THAT THE SHIP IS STILL IN CLOSE ORBIT AROUND THE PLANET CELTRON...THE PLANET IS EXTREMELY ACTIVE ... WITH HIGH RADIATION LEVELS ... SUGGESTING...THEREFORE...ONLY A LIMITED CAPABILITY OF SUSTAINING HUMANOID LIFEFORMS..."
Seeing that they'd get little more useful help or, information from the computer, right now, Sarah and, the Doctor were about to split up and, search the ship.
"INFORMATION...SENSORS INDICATE ESTIMATED DECAY OF CURRENT ORBIT TO BE THIRTEEN...POINT...THREE STANDARD EARTH HOURS...PLEASE ADVISE COURSE OF ACTION TO BE TAKEN...CONFIRM..."
It was, Sarah who found the crew or, rather those barely still alive, firt. She found herself standing in what seemed to be a very advanced, ver well-equipped sickbay, of the ship. Three of the six beds appeared to be occupied - two males and, a female, in a very bad state. It wasn't long before the Doctor had joined her, taking in the scene for himself. A quick examination, left the Doctor with little doubt of, the cause of the ilness.
"Radiation." replied the Doctor, grimly. "They all have acute radiation sickness. So, they must've been down on that planet? Trouble is, if it's not treated soon, it'll most defintely result in death! I only hope that we've not arrived too late, already."
"That's horrible!" replied Sarah. "Isn't there anything that we can do for them, at all, Doctor?"
"They've little hope left, I'm afraid, unless I can find an antidote to the radiation they've acquirred, in time."
Searching through the well-equipped sickbay produced little result. There was nothing onboard, that the Doctor could use to stop the radiation sickness, unfortunately, taking its full course.
"Sarah, you stay here and, do what you can for them..."
"Why, where are you going?"
"Back to the Tardis, to try to make a suitable antidote. There's nothing of much use here. "replied the Doctor. "I only hope I can make it before, its too late, for their sakes. With a bit of luck I, can link up the Tardis' telepathic circuits with, the ships computer - that may help save time, at least." and, with that he vanished.
CHAPTER THREE:
Alone, again, Sarah began to feel totally helpless to do anything. The Doctor had been gone for what felt to her like ages! What was taking him so long? All that she could do was to wait and, watch over the three remaining crew. The female seemed to be the worst - almost in a deep coma. Not that the two males seemed far from being in the same condition, she thought. What was taking the Doctor so long? Just as she was debating whether or, not to go and, see if the Doctor wanted any help - her train of thought was broken, by the sudden violent movements of the third crew member.
Moving over to his bed she, tried to calm him and, realised he was in the grip of a high fever. In fact, he was literally burning up! Never, having seen the results of someone suffering from acute radiation sickness she, wasn't sure if the 'fever' was a good sign or, not. His movements became increasingly more violent, as if he seemed to be desparately fighting the 'fever'. Sarah, found it harder to try to calm him and, just as she was trying to restrain yet, more violent tossing - the Doctor, returned withwhat he hoped would cure the three crew. The other male, too, was just starting to show similar 'feverish' symptoms.
"Doctor - will it work?" she asked.
"Let's hope so, Sarah." answered the Doctor - quickly administering the antidote. First, to the crew member that Sarah had been trying to calm down. Then, to the other two, in turn. "Let's hope so!"
Luckily, it seemed to take effect almost immediately and, he calmed down to an almost peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER FOUR:
"You've done it, Doctor!" cried a relieved Sarah.
"Looks like I, have." grinned the Doctor. "They should wake-up with one hell of a headache but, he and, his friends should be fine, otherwise. I'll just check that all is well on the flightdeck. Will you be alright, Sarah?"
(Before she'd a chance to say anything, the Doctor had vanished, again.)
It, was only now that she finally stopped worrying that, she had a chance to really take notice of what he looked like. Even, despite his dishevelled appearance due to the 'fever'. He was quite handsome, eve, regal looking, in fact. His hair was a deep, rich velvet brown shade. Sarah figured him to be somewhere in his forties. Though, she wasn't very good at assessing people's ages, anyway! Two peircing brown eyes gazed enquiringly at her - before, she suddenly realised he was awake.
"Who...?"
"Don't try to talk. I'm Sarah and, my friend the Doctor will be back in a moment."
"Blake...? Jenna...?"
"Your name - Blake? Or, it that your friend's names?" replied Sarah, gently. Now trying even harder to prevent Avon, from getting up from the bed.
"No - Blake and, Jenna - they both got separated down on the planet. Must go to the flightdeck and..."
"You're not going anywhere". answered Sarah. "Try to rest, please."
However, much Avon wanted too - he suddenly realised he didn't have the strength to get up. So, giving in to Sarah's gentle persuasion to stay put in bed - he relented. One thing he definitely was acutely aware of was, a splitting headache!
"How are the other's...? Vila? Cally?" enquired Avon.
"Sleeping." smiled Sarah. "They'll be alright. Don't worry!"
"By the way, my name is, Avon - Kerr Avon." he smiled. "Thank you."
Just then the Doctor returned.
"Ah, I see you're awake. How d'you feel?"
"You mean apart from a chorus of drums in my head - I, guess I'll survive."
Avon, was now sat on the edge of the bed still, a little shakey but, strenght was gradually returning. It was then he noticed the conditions of Vila and, Cally. He attempted standing by, using the bed for support.
"I must get to the flightdeck and, Zen to see how things are?" said Avon.
"Oh, everything's alright." reassured the Doctor. "Your computer seems to be coping with the situation."
"But, Blake and, Jenna? We left them down on the surface of, Celtron - when, we got split up - Zen failed to locate and, teleport them back up, before, we all ended up in the sickbay as, you found us. How are Cally and Vila? They'll be alright, won't they?" continued Avon.
"They've had the same antidote as you and, they should recover. Don't worry, dear chap!" grinned the Doctor.
(Although, he didn't say anything he, doubted that their missing friends would be alive for long - if they weren't already dead on the radioactive planet, far below.)
"Thing's will work out, alright. You'll see." replied the Doctor.
And, with that he left for the flightdeck.
"Is, your friend always like that?" asked Avon.
"Well, he knows what he's doing, usually." smiled Sarah, crossing her finger's behind her back. "Nine times out of ten!"
Vila was slowly beggingin to awake and, like Avon - his head was splitting.
"Oh! My head! What's happened?" quizzed Vila, starring at Sarah. "I'm dreaming - right?"
"No, you're not!" said Avon, harshly. "When you've finished feeling sorry for yourself, as usual - Blake and, Jenna are still down on, Celtron! I'm going to the flightdeck to help the Doctor."
And, with that Avon left the sickbay before, Vila had time to reply.
"That, by the way, was Avon - take no notice, he's a walking computer - no feelings!" grinned Vila. "I, on the other hand, I'm called, Vila Restal, at your service - are you doing anything later on?"
"How are you feeling?" asked Sarah.
"Like I've been kicked in the head!" replied Vila. "You wouldn't happen to have a drink on you, by any chance?"
"Sorry!" answered Sarah, wondering if this, curious little man was joking or, not.
Just then, Vila noticed Cally.
(Who was still lying in some kind of deep coma.)
"That's Cally - she's not...? I, mean, er...Dead, is she?
(Was luck running out for the, Liberator crew, thought Vila. They'd only recently lost Gan. He'd died in an explosion thanks to Travis! The prospect that Cally might die as well, not too mention Blake and, Jenna? If, they weren't already dead on Celtron? Was too painful for Vila, to contemplate at that moment!)
"No, she's still alive." said Sarah. "Some sort of coma, we think. The Doctor, says you should all recover fully."
"Doctor?"
"A friend of mine." continued Sarah. "He's on the flightdeck I, think with your computer. Anyway, that's where Avon said he was going."
"Guess, we'd better go there, then." replied Vila, now feeling a little stronger.
"Need any help?" asked Sarah, trying not to show worry.
"Thanks!" replied Vila.
Taking Sarah's arm for support, slowly, the two of them made their way to the flightdeck, to hear the tail end of the conversation between Avon and, the Doctor.
"Your computer, does it run the ship?"
"You could say that, in a way - life support, teleport, battle computers and, weapons systems - yes!" replied Avon, now seated at his usual station on the flightdeck. "Glad, you could find the time to join us!"
As, Vila and, Sarah entered the flightdeck. His cutting remark being aimed at Vila, rather than at, Sarah Jane.
Just then, they were all interrupted by the computer.
"INFORMATION...SCANNERS DETECT ENEMY SHIPS..."
"How many, Zen?" asked Avon, alarmed - that's all they needed at this moment.
"THREE...IT IS CONFIRMED THAT THEY ARE FEDERATION PURSUIT SHIP COMING INTO ATTACK POSITION...STATE REQUIRED ACTION TO BE TAKEN...?"
"Zen, get us out of here." said Avon. "Course, speed standard by eight - long enough tp lose them. Then, return to present status in orbit around Celtron."
"COURSE AND SPEED...CONFIRMED...!"
It wasn't too long before the, Liberator had left its pursuers far behind.
CHAPTER FIVE:
Meanwhile, on the surface of the planet, Celtron - Roj Blake was still alive but, he knew his chances for survival much longer were, rapidly decreasing the longer he stayed exposed. Had the other's made it back to the, Liberator safely? He'd no idea - as he couldn't raise any response on his communicator bracelet and, had been unable to do so for some time. They should have been trying to set up a rescue by now or, did they figure that he and, Jenna must be dead? So, therefore, it was a waste of time. Only time would tell and, that he knew was running out and, running out fast!
Jenna, was in a much worse state than Blake was, as, she'd already fallen into a semi-unconscious coma.
Back, onboard, the Liberator, Vila, had, somehow, managed to find himself a bottle which, he was now engrossed in emptying.
Cally, still lay in a semi-coma in the sickbay with, Sarah keeping an eye on her. Whilst, Avon and, the Doctor checked over radiation suits and, equipment for the proposed rescue of Blake and, Jenna - if, they were still alive?
"INFORMATION...LIBERATOR NOW BACK IN CLOSE ORBIT AROUND THE PLANET CELTRON...TELEPORT FACILITIES CURRENTLY INOPERABLE...AUTO-REPAIRS ARE CURRENTLY IN OPERATION...YOU WILL BE ADVISED WHEN REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE..."
"Now, Zen, tells us!" moaned Vila.
"Shut up, Vila." retorted Avon, annoyingly.
"Seems there is only one thing for it - I'll just pop down in the Tardis." said the Doctor. As, if he was going for a morning stroll! "If you can relay the co-ordinates you used to Tardis, I'll be on my way!"
"Zen, is that possible?" enquired Avon.
"A LINK IS POSSIBLE...CONFIRM WHEN TRANSFER OF DATA IS NEEDED AND LENGTH OF TIME...INFORMATION...HEAVY VOLCANIC ACTIVITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE CO-ORDINATES YOU REQUIRE...SUGGEST NEW CO-ORDINATES BE USED INSTEAD...SIXTY THREE...POINT TWO THREE...ZERO SEVEN...CONFIRM...!"
"Do you need any help Doctor? I'll come with you." said Avon.
(He was already wearing the radiation suit they been checking, earlier.)
"No, I don't think that will be necessary." grinned the Doctor. "I only hope that, I'll be in time to find your two friends."
With that he headed in the direction of the Tardis and, was soon in the control room preparing to transfer the relayed co-ordinates, from Zen's computer banks into the Tardis console. Within seconds the Tardis disappeared from the main hold, of the Liberator, heading through the time-space vortex to the, highly radioactive planet, Celtron, far below.
CHAPTER SIX:
Still conscious but, feeling sick from the radiation which, was, finally, beginning to take a hold of Blake. He'd flound slight protection in the ruins of what had once been a Federation base and, succeeded in carrying Jenna there. It had been abandoned when, the activities of the volcanic planet Celtron had, become too dangerous to keep the Federation personnel on, this outpost of, Federation grip.
They lay in, what he figured to be, the basement of what had been the main control room, of the base. Slowly, losing consciousness - so, thought Blake, this hostile planet was to be where 'his' dreams of crushing the, corrupt Federation would now end.
Moments later he was vaguely aware of a weird creshendo of noise and, a blue shape materialising infront of him. Now - hallucinating - he thought as, he saw someone coming towards him and, he was mildly aware of being slowly dragged but, nothing more as, he passed out completely on the floor of the Tardis control room.
Blake didn't know it but, Jenna, lay close by - almost in a complete coma, now! As, the Tardis de-materialised on its way back, to the Liberator . The next thing that, Blake was aware of was, coming too in the sickbay of the, Liberator with Avon, Vila, Cally ( who was now fully recovered) and, two strangers - all standing by his bed.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Blake!" said Avon. "How d'you feel?"
"Don't ask!" said Blake. "How? I, remember being on the surface and,...?"
"Luckily, for us and, you - the Doctor and, his friend Sarah Jane - somehow landed onboard, Liberator in time to help us." replied Avon. "We all had acute radiation sickness - you too!"
"Jenna?" queried Blake.
"She was pretty bad." replied Avon. "But, she'll make it."
A look of complete relief passed over Blake's face.
"Seems that we owe you our lives, Doctor!" said Blake "Thank you. What d'you intend to do now? You're very welcom to stay here and, join forces with us? Help us, to fight the Federation?"
"Well, I'm afraid I've other things to do, places to see." replied the Doctor. "And, Sarah Jane, here has that novel of her's to finish. Don't you Sarah? So, if you'll excuse us we'll be, on our way."
Sarah had noticed, that Avon had, disappeared from the sickbay.
(In fact, he was on the flightdeck checking the ships current status with Zen.)
"Where's Avon, gone to?" asked Sarah.
"Oh, don't worry about him." grinned Vila. "He's not one for sentiment. He'll be with his friends! Those infernal computer's!"
Shooting a look of disapproval towards Vila for this remark - Blake was, of course, sorry that he couldn't persuade them to both stay.
"Of course, that's your choice - once again, thank you on all our behalf's." replied Blake. "Good bye and, good luck - Doctor! Sarah Jane!"
CHAPTER SEVEN:
"And the same to you, my dear old chap!" smiled the Doctor.
Then he and, Sarah left the sickbay of the, Liberator to return to the Tardis. Minutes later, Sarah, the Doctor and, Tardis were heading on their way back hoped Sarah, to Earth!
Leaving, Blake, Avon, Cally, Vila and, Jenna to continue their fight gainst the evil forces of the, TERRAN FEDERATION.
"D'you think they'll ever win, Doctor?" asked Sarah.
"Perhaps, in time." replied the Doctor, busily working at the controls.
It wasn't very long before Sarah was, again, back home on, terra firms. And, once more she and, the Doctor said their goodbye's.
"Bye, Doctor - take care won't you?"
"I'll try." grinned the Doctor. "Good bye, Sarah."
And, with that he vanished inside the Tardis. The familiar creshendo of sounds rose and, subsided almost within seconds and, the Tardis' familiar blue police box shape disappeared - by, now in the time-space vortex - taking the, Doctor to adventures who knows where? She was even back on the narrow track she'd been on when she came across the Tardis.
Well, it was high time she got home. In practically, no time at all she was back in the main street of the quiet little village of, Hutton-le-Hole and, unlocking her front door. At, that moment the telephone in her study was ringing. Reaching it just in time, he picked up the receiver to hear her publisher, Oliver's not-too-friendly tone.
"Yes, Oliver - the book's starting to take shape rather nicely. I've been working on it all this afternoon." she lied.
(Very thankful, for the fact, that, video-phone's hadn't quite, yet, been invented except, of course, in science-fiction novels! Smiling to herself - 'the Doctor hadn't forgotten her!')
Hanging the telephone up she went to the kitchen and, made a nice cup of welcome tea and, a ham and, cheese sandwich before, returning to her study and, some serious work!
Only, not on the novel she'd started in the typewritter but, on a new storyline, completely! Sarah started typing her new story under the working title - 'Blake's Federation'.
It was going to be all about a group of rebels - by the names of, Roj Blake, Kerr Avon, Vila Restal, Cally and, Jenna Stannis - who, were fighting, against, a corruptly, evil empire called, the - TERRAN FEDERATION!
