The Age of Aquarius
By Gerard Luft
Chapter One
In a disused hold of a spaceship a blue box slowly materialized with a wheezing and groaning sounds. The doors opened, an a man with a long oval face framed with curly, Auburn hair, and full lips, stepped out. The handsome young man was dressed like an Edwardian gentleman with an ascot and frock coat.
A young blonde woman in a safari outfit of the same era followed him out, saying, "I can't believe you crashed the TARDIS, Doctor."
"I Didn't crash her, Charley," objected the Doctor. "It was just a mild bump."
"Mild bump, indeed! You crashed her."
"Cheeky!" He retorted as he looked around the empty creates strewn around the compartment. "Looks like the cargo hold of a spaceship. Hasn't been used in a while."
"Doctor!" Cried Charley looking out a porthole. "Look at that. It's beautiful."
The Doctor joined her, and as he peered out the porthole his pleasant, handsome face turned grave. "Yes, Charley. Beautiful, but deadly. That's and ion storm, and it's heading right for this spaceship."
"We should get back to the TARDIS."
"There might still be crew aboard this ship."
"You're right, Doctor. Looks like a rescue mission then."
"You learn fast," said the Doctor with a smile. "Let's go find them."
The Doctor and Charley excited the cargo hold. Following the winding corridors beyond, there two quickly became lost.
"These corridors go on forever," said Charley. "There as bad as the TARDIS' corridors."
"I think the control deck is this way," said the Doctor. "Maybe."
"This way, Doctor."
"Right," muttered the Doctor. "That way."
The two time travellers entered a compartment filled with view screens and control consoles.
"Looks like a control deck to me," said Charley.
"Almost," said the Doctor, hitting a few keys on a nearby panel. "This is the computer center. We'll still need to find the control deck and pilot this ship out of danger."
"That's the astrological symbol of Aquarius," said Charley pointing at the computer screen.
"Company logo," explained the Doctor. "The year is 2556. This ship belongs to one of the mega-corporations that are the real power behind Earth's Empire. Odd… This is a large vessel, but there is only one cargo container. It's identification is classified. And there's only a skeleton crew assigned it. Odd indeed… Come on, Charley! I've found the control deck. This way."
The Doctor led the way down that corridor at a run. "We have to hurry! That storm is just about upon us."
"Hold on, Doctor!" cried Charley.
"You wanted adventure, Charley," chuckled the Doctor. "This is it."
"I never expected this much running," laughed Charlie, nearly barrelling over the Doctor as he stopped to open a hatch.
They entered a large compartment with nearly half a dozen consoles facing a large view screen. The in storm in all its deadly glory filled the screen.
"Who the devil are you?" Demanded a woman as she Rose from one of the seats at a back console.
A man rose besides her, and said, "Stowaways, no doubt. We should inform Partner Withers."
"What's wing with your ship?" Asked the Doctor as he said into a forward seat.
"Nothing," said the woman.
"What do you mean, nothing? There's a in storm heading right towards you. That could kill everyone on board!"
"We've our orders to hold our position to await a rendezvous."
"I'm moving this ship to safety," said the Doctor as he got several switches.
"I don't think you will," said the man drawing a gun and putting it to the Doctor's head.
