The Doctor roused himself, rubbed the back of his head and looked at his surroundings. He found himself in a round or octagonal room, no more than 12 feet in diameter. It had two doors but with four or five portholes or windows of various sizes around the entire chamber. The walls curved from floor to ceiling and right in the centre of the room was a metal cylinder with lots of cables issuing from it.
Suddenly the left side door opened and an android appeared who proceeded to thrust a protesting Tom into the room. ''Tom!'' said a surprised Doctor,'' are you okay.?''
''I'm alright...it's good to see you Doctor! Why are you wearing that?''
''Oh, just a disguise to get up here...''
Suddenly at the main observation window appeared Kraxon who spoke into a microphone which could be heard inside the room, which by now the Doctor had discerned was the booth or crucible.
''Now then intruders, I want to know what you are doing here!''
''well,''began the Doctor, ''we're experts in interior design and were wondering if you'd like us to re-decorate your ship.''
It took Kraxon few moments to compute that the intruder was being sarcastic and then replied with eyes narrowed, ''So, you think you are amusing?!''
''Oh, well.. I don't know...what would you say, Tom ; am I?''
''Well, Doctor I...''
''Silence!'' barked Kraxon ,''You gibbering fools! WHY ARE YOU HERE!''
''No, your there.'' said the Doctor, pointing to Kraxon, ''We're here.'' he continued.
''IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE YOU WILL TELL ME NOW!'' said an enraged Kraxon, who's skin seemed to turn colour with rage.''You will also tell me the meaning of this information about super fluids, cathedrals, clocks and three way entanglement!
The doctor looked at Tom who shrugged and smiled back. ''Okay Kraxon, you win. I've come to warn you to stop your experiments. The magnetar is very unstable and playing around with wormholes will end in disaster. And add to that: what I've seen of your other experiments with Doronii slaves, I warn you to stop this evil now!''
Kraxon's face went from serious to a sudden amusement,''hahaha! I was wrong, you are amusing after all. ''
''You find that amusing?'' said the Doctor, anger in his voice. ''It's as much for your benefit; If you continue playing with a magnetar which could explode and wormholes that could interact with each other, it could destroy you too! And for you to find my outrage against slavery and cruel experimentation amusing then I tell you, Kraxon, I will stop you and bring an end to your mad ideas!''
''PLAYING? Mad ideas?!..This is science! You couldn't possibly understand. This is progress! I am a genius and I will not fail. The Doronii happily took the technology I offered...would you have them return to savagery?''
''Technology can be used and abused...it's certain the Doronii never asked to be slaves as repayment for their kindness to you...escaping justice. Why are you trying to create these wormholes, and what is the woman with the quark flux? What do you hope to achieve?''
''Escape justice? But my own people forbade me to continue with my experiments...I,the great Kraxon; the greatest mind in our history being told to stop...No, I escaped injustice...I had no time for their morals!''
''The wormholes?'' he continued with a bragging air,'' Yes, the first step in my dream for the greatest achievement ever...The woman? Ah, yes, the dakttrex, my masterpiece! The quantum effect I got from observing an alien that appeared on my home planet. The people feared them but I saw a chance for scientific discovery. I studied quantum entanglement and well...let's just say my achievement will go down in history. ''
''Your trying to send one part of the entanglement through to another time? ''
''yes,'' said Kraxon, ''you're not as stupid as you look!''
''No, but you are! You're like a child who's found a box of matches, Kraxon. Your ambition as blinded you to the dangers with which you play! Just because you have great intelligence and know much science, you arrogantly assume you know everything and that you can't be wrong. Working in ten dimensions you look down on those who only use four...what if I said there was eleven dimensions?''
Kraxon's face turned from still rage at being called stupid to a complacent and condescending sneer '' Oh, how unscientific you are!'' he said.
'' My point proven,'' shot back the Doctor,'' You disbelieve because it is out of your knowledge. You try to label it unscientific just because you are not a true scientist who should have an open mind. You fail to believe eleventh dimension because it is outside your knowledge..The fact that it IS science;it's science that you don't understand!... But enough of this...This is your last warning Kraxon!''
'HAHAHA! What can you do? Ha ha. Although I will confess : I'm going to regret killing you, I've not laughed like this for a long while! May be you should take this up with someone else...I saw fear in you when I mentioned the alien...''
Kraxon grinned and pressed something and instantly a noise came from the cylinder in the centre of the room. Slowly two panels began to open on the front of the cylinder. The Doctor felt a fear run through him though he could not see what it was that lay there in the cylinder, but something in that instant made him think the worst. He grabbed Tom, who was by now a mixture of fear and confusion. ''Get behind me Tom and what ever you do...''
Suddenly the lights to the chamber went out! In the darkness the doctor felt panic but reached inside his pocket for the sonic just to then find it slip from his grip and clatter on to the floor.''Quick Tom help me find the sonic!''
Meanwhile Borgum had sent Achilles into battle! He walked along the foot-way parallel to the pit. Then, after he had reached the first droid he raised his arm as a weapon and downed the robot! The two others turned, almost passively to Achilles and soon they too fell. The Next two droids seemed to have understood the situation and hurried towards Achilles with more urgency. This in turn alerted more still who were further back. Borgum gave a signal and the evacuation began. Achilles still made good progress even against the more alert droids, However another wave came as a column and were clearly armed. They marched in and raised their lasers but there were still robots of theirs between them and Achilles and therefore did not open fire. Finally, however, they closed in and Achilles became more of a sitting target, not only because of the close proximity but also because Achilles had downed enough droids that they no longer acted as a shield.
The full focus of the column came upon Achilles and it seemed that within a moment he ,himself would be defeated when suddenly a wave of freed Doronii stormed out of the pit, completely out-flanking the robot soldiers! Achilles had proved such a distraction that they now found defending their flank impossible. The speed and ferocity of the attack completely overwhelmed them.
Now armed, the Doronii began to fire on the androids ranks and Achilles was still marching forward. They allowed him to come through and mount an assault to the android ranks as they covered him with supporting fire. Inevitably Achilles finally succumbed to laser fire but managed to reach the phalanx of androids and took another out as he burst into flames causing others to also catch fire. Under the cover of smoke the Doronii spread out and engaged in a full on fire fight from various angles and from the luxury of defensive cover...unlike their foes, who stood tall like so many tin soldiers. Then, as they drove the enemy back, Borgum and his volunteers now made their way up towards where he guested the Doctor, was picking off any droids in their path.
.
Inside the crucible, meanwhile, Tom and the Doctor frantically swept the floor with their hands and it seemed like an eternity of slow ticking seconds; an impossibility; a darkness, not just in the literal sense, but a dark emotion of fear.
But then, with a wave of relief, the Doctor found it and soon had the lights back on. The Doctor looked for Tom and saw that he was cowering in one corner. The Doctor's brow was all sweaty as he held the device in their defense. He raised himself up, ready for trouble that had seemed to be inevitable, but as he did so he saw Kraxon stood before him laughing,''HAHAHA...OH, haha!''
Annoyed more than ever, the Doctor advanced but saw the black droid at Kraxon's side. He looked into the cylinder and saw it was not quite what he expected but, instead saw the familiar figure of the so called monster, restrained but conscious.
''Well, I've had my fun, stranger. But now I must continue my work, if you don't mind. The Dakttrex is prepared for the first real attempt at my grand plan. You will be dispatched presently.''
''Oh well, awfully nice to have met you Mr Kraxon. But before we go, tell me more about this marvelous Dakttreky-thing-a-me, how is she constructed? It looks impressive, but how can it make anything happen of any great significance? What scientific plan could be so grand as to be called...well, Grand?''
Kraxon , feeling some what flattered began ,''Hehe..I kraxon ,created this quantum creature, my slave, my weapon...but no android alone could have done. Their binary brains would not cope with the quantum flux. An android however, forms a perfect structure for the quantum flux..and is sturdy. I experimented, using Doronii to create a cybernetic blend. But not before introducing extra genes into the Doronii subject. I used genes from a Axok; a small invertebrate found on Hylox that can survive extremes of temperature and pressure''..
''An Axok is, I'd hazard a guess, very much like a creature here on earth called a Tardigrade . Hmm, I guess you created a creature that could endure the more unstable wormholes?
Indeed!'' said a delighted Kraxon.
'' So you tortured those Doronii with your experiments...combining genetics and nano-robots? Enslaving, mutilating...I have as much pity for your creature as I do it's Doronii brothers that perished. All to satisfy your ambition...for what?''
'' I Kraxon the crowned one of Hylox, Of the humble clan of The longfield, the greatest scientist in the history of the galaxy will be the first to achieve TIME TRAVEL!''
It was now the Doctors turn to laugh...besides he had seen Borgum's face at the porthole behind Kraxon. ''Sorry, Krax, but your life's achievement was for nought! Ha ha. You clown...The Time Lord's Discovered time travel eons ago! You're a bit late...Perhaps you could try a new ambition ...to discover a new species of moss or some thing?''
''Time Lords! Haha do you believe those old legends...it's rubbish...I will be the first! If I was feeling more generous I'd let you watch to shut you up but you must now die!...Time Lords haha...next you will be saying you are the Dokoxii what's he called? ha ha ha!''
''You mean 'The Doctor'..well I can tell you this Kraxon: One, My threats are never idle and two, the Time Lords DO exist...and yes I'm one...scan my hearts if you need proof...I am the Doctor and I will stop you...'' He said waving his sonic as the Black droid confirmed that the Doctor indeed was not human. Kraxon's face was like a set of traffic lights: First a complacent, mocking arrogance, then changed to concerned uncertainty, and finally realization and horror!''
''No! Stay away! Guard!''
But as he turned to his metallic bodyguard the door had opened and Borgum's arms dragged the guard out of the booth.'' Thanks Borgum, I'll handle Kraxon.''
Kraxon saw his guard hurled from the gantry, falling down and down and shattering amongst the burning robots below. Then Kraxon turned back to the Doctor who was waving as he left via the other door. What he had not noticed was that the Doctor had soniced the restraints off the monster who stepped down into the room. ''Slave! I never told you to..wait you can save me yet. Get me out of here and destroy these fools!''
Meanwhile the Doronii evacuation was complete and the battle with the droids won. The Doronii now followed where Borgum had gone...but none saw a rather small one at the back, which moved up near to Tom and the Doctor, who where standing outside the booth's door looking in at the imprisoned Kraxon.
''I'll give you one more chance , Kraxon. Stop and..''
''NEVER!'' Interrupted Kraxon.
It was at this moment that the the small figure behind the Doctor looked at the monster from beneath it's mantle and the monster looked back...and saw it's own face! It was Kate who had used the Doronii mantle she had sat on in her cell to disguise herself.
''Destroy them!'' Ordered Kraxon. But the monster didn't move but just looked at the crowd of the Doronii, with sad eyes. It's memory flicked, it's face changed an expressionless robot face it had seemed to Kate but it was clear that it was also Doronii! ''You will do as I tell you!'' cried Kraxon with more anger and even desperation.
''Right!'' he said pulling out his own laser and pointing it at the crowd. But before he could fire at them the monster's hand gripped Kraxon's arm making the laser fire into the ground. ''YOU! SLAVE, CREATURE..YOU DARE CHECK ME!...Wait , no , get back!''
The creature moved forward, it's sad Doronii eyes now took on an angered aspect and it's hands were reaching for Kraxon's throat! There was a sudden noise of a laser from Kraxon's weapon and the creature's midriff began to glow! It turned to the Doctor and spoke : ''Save yourselves; I know what I must do.''
''Quick! '' cried the Doctor ,'' That laser blast as set off a chain reaction in the creature's quantum flux; we have to get out!''
Suddenly the door to the booth closed and the lights went out. The Doctor and his allies ran down the walkways towards the exit but not before hearing a boom of noise at 40 Hertz or so. As the company ran out the Doctor looked at a console sonicing it...some sparks came out and the Doctor ran to catch up with his friends. Another boom and vibration came bigger than the first. They ran through a labyrinth of corridors but soon the outer door was open and they ran into fresh air.
Exhausted, many flopped down on the grass and the Doctor proclaimed: ''It's over; Kraxon is defeated!'', to a great shout of praise from the Doronii. But although Tom too was celebrating, he couldn't help wondering: '' where's Kate?'' he said.
''Oh , the ship is quite safe to re-enter; it's not going to explode...that was just a precaution. Kate will be safe...Oh yes, Borgum, The creature as you saw was Doronii but it stole its appearance from an earth woman called Kate..just in case you see her and think it's the monster..I..''
The Doctor felt a hand prod him in the back. He turned to see kate dressed in the Doronii cloak,'' Hi, Doctor'' she said.
From the ship came more Doronii and Harrumxo was there too. After introductions and congratulations an explanation was asked of the Doctor and Tom too was eager to know ,''So what happened to Kraxon? Is he still up there...where is he?...and the monster?''
''Well I saw the look on the creatures face when I talked about it and how it's people had suffered. Not to mention when Kraxon called it a slave and a weapon etc It was still capable of moral judgment and it saw him as evil. It thus identified with it's own kind and their suffering. I saw it's eyes when I felt pity for it. Kraxon ,perhaps, never trusted it much,seeing as he had it restrained like that..I released it and my hunch payed off. As to what happened to Kraxon...well, I think he was attacked by the creature which then activated the crucible. They were both sucked through to some where else in time and space.''
''But where...or when?''
''Well I knew what was happening so I tinkered with the controls so I know the space destination was not far from here...the time destination...I'd say about a thousand years into the past...I think ,Tom, that that might account for your Mirkhol crater. You see when Kraxon and the creature arrived in the 11th century the creature would have exploded , destroying itself and Kraxon.
Now to return to the other part of the ship...will the negative energy beams still work?''
They wont be necessary, Doctor '' said Ekktrumka,'' The activating of that device of Kraxon's has repaired the time differential between the parts of the ship''
''But which time are we in?'' inquired the Doctor.
The Doctor made his way back to the ship followed by the others. Inside, the Doctor looked at the data.
''Does this mean I'm now in 1975!'' said Kate, a bit shocked.
''Or 2017?'' said a worried Tom.
''Well,'' said the Doctor ,'' Kraxon's side of the ship took the bigger hit, you might say, and traveled fourty-one years back in time, and Harrumxo's side traveled one year into the future to meet it.''
''Oh so we're both lost to our times!'' exclaimed Tom, ''..although I'm just a year , I'd of been missing for a year...what about my university degree!'
''Look.'' the Doctor said in a reassuring tone, '' I have a time machine, remember? I can take you both back to you respective times...if you want?''
Tom and Kate looked at one another and nodded.
''We all wish to thank you, Doctor...or should I say Doctorumxi.'' said Harrumxo.
''Well I thank the Doronii people...we beat Kraxon together. Now I wish you well in you new, free lives'' replied the Doctor.
There were a few celebrations and Tom even tried to join in with his guitar while The Doctor and Kate just clapped along. After that the Doronii said their goodbyes and the Doctor and his companions left the ship. After one last look at the ship The Doctor turned to Tom and Kate, took in a large breath and said , ''Shall we go then? Err, this way.''
He walked, hands in pockets and whistled the 'ode to joy' from Beethoven's 9th.
''Ah! that's handy'' he continued , fishing out of his pocket a piece of toast which he munched on cheerfully.
Soon they had reached the wood and entered, slowly making their way through the under growth. At last they came upon the stone wall and stepped forward, Kate removing the Doronii mantle and the Doctor stood smiling with thumbs in his coat lapels. ''Here she is'' he said proudly.
''Bit small.'' said Kate.
''Oh, I wouldn't worry about that''. said the Doctor ,''just help me with these brambles.''
The three stomped down the brambles and nettles that had grow up after a year of sylvan solitude, but when they had finished the Doctor brought the key out from his inner pocket, turned to Tom and Kate with a smile, opened the TARDIS door and entered. After a second his head re-emerged ,''Aren't you coming?''
Tom and Kate entered and their jaws dropped and their eyes bulged.
''What on...'' exclaimed Kate.
''W...W...How?'' said Tom.
The Doctor stood there yawning as he watched them leave the TARDIS to look around the back and then re-enter. ''This is ...amazing!'' enthused Tom.
''So'' said the Doctor ,'' is it straight home to your own times and space...or perhaps you'd like to take a bit of a spin...anywhere in time and space...to 'where' and 'when' is completely up to you.''
Tom and Kate stood, frozen for a second, then their heads turned to each other with open mouths and wide eyes. Then they turned back to the Doctor who was smiling, and still waiting for an answer.
(THE DOCTOR WILL RETURN IN A NEW ADVENTURE SOON: 'THE PLAGUE OF NEWDIX COURT'! )
