Prologue

The Doctor, Nita and Ace had just visited Nita's parents, and broken the news that Nita and the Doctor were in a relationship. Her mother had taken it remarkably well, but her father was concerned by both the age difference and the fact that the Doctor was an alien. They didn't tell them that they were engaged. One shock at a time!

Now the TARDIS was on a planet called Lumin's World to deliver medical supplies following an outbreak of violent attacks. Ace, the Doctor and Nita were walking through a plaza. There were shops, a café, people strolling. It was a modern community.

Ace spotted the café and stopped. "We've still got a few minutes before our next meeting…"

Nita looked around the plaza. Everything seemed calm. They entered and seated themselves at a table. A waiter stood by the door staring intently into the plaza. He didn't acknowledge the presence of the TARDIS crew. Ace was becoming annoyed and she lifted her hand, signaling for service. "Excuse me…"

Suddenly, a bomb exploded, destroying a shop and raining down shards of what looked like glass, wounding several passer-by. People reacted, scared, and started running.

Inside the café, the Doctor, Nita and Ace were already reacting. Ace was on her feet, moving to help. Nita was concerned for her safety. "Ace…"

She ignored her, moving into the plaza. From outside they heard screams and cries, and the wailing of an alert. Nita and the Doctor were moving after her. Behind them, at the door, the waiter watched with interest and also moved outside.

It was a scene of chaos. Shattered glass lay glittering on the pavement. Dust and debris from the explosion were settling. A jet of some escaping gas poured from a broken pipe. Three people were down, all of them bleeding.

Two policemen appeared. Ace started to move to the first victim, but an officer drew a phaser and blocked her way.

"Put that thing away. I have some medical training."

Ace didn't wait for permission. She shouldered past him. Ace dropped down next to a casualty and examined him.

"Just lie still, don't try to move." Turning to Nita and the Doctor she said, "Nita, I need bandages, disinfectant – something with alcohol in it."

"Ace, it's not safe…"

"Please, Nita."

Nita hesitated only briefly. Exchanging a glance with the Doctor, she went toward the restaurant, as Ace moved to look at another victim.

"There's a lot of bleeding, but it's not as bad as it looks. Don't be afraid."

The policeman looked at the Doctor. "That other woman is right. These Spherion…they're frightening…they do terrible things to people." To the others, he said, "Clear the area. Everyone out of the plaza."

"Ace, a return to the TARDIS would be prudent."

She just looked at him and continued her work.

"This planet does have physicians…"

"Who aren't here yet. I am."

Nita came back out of the restaurant with some ripped-up tablecloths and some liquor bottles. She was helped by the waiter who crossed to Ace. As she took the materials, she immediately began to utilize them in emergency care. She barely glanced up at the waiter who was interested in what she was doing. "You're doing a good job there."

"Thank you."

"Not at all, miss." He moved away, took a beat at the entrance to the café to look back again, thoughtfully, then entered."

"We are vulnerable here, Ace, we should return to the TARDIS," said the Doctor.

"The longer we argue, the longer…"

"You are endangering yourself and us too."

"Professor, right now, I'm trying to pull a life back into a wounded body with brandy and sleight of hand. I'm not going anywhere. You and Nita don't have to stay."

"We all need to leave," the Doctor repeated. "But we'll wait until the Calaxi medics arrive."

The wailing of emergency vehicles was much closer. Ace continued to treat the wounded. Nita was scanning the buildings with the Doctor's sonic screwdriver. The Doctor moved to her.

"The sonic is not reading any other explosive devices in this area," said Nita.

A woman in authority arrived, accompanied by security guards. She glanced at the Doctor and Nita as she passed. She examined the scene. The waiter moved barely outside the door of the restaurant to watch, as an extraordinary arc of light appeared. Simultaneous with its arrival is a sound like lightning finding the ground, a crack of almost concussive proportions. A crystalline being seemed to literally appear out of the light. He wore a shoulder device, and he looked to be in definite pain as he arrived. People began running, because it was nothing new to them.

The official was shielded by her guards.

Ace turned and found the being centimeters away. She recoiled, but the being caught her by the arm. A guard went for his weapon, and the Spherion shot crystal shards from its fingers, hitting the guard. The Spherion strengthened its hold on Ace as the Doctor and Nita stepped forward. There was nothing they could do.

"You don't understand. I'm helping…" Ace began, and then they were gone, vanishing into a new burst of light.