Chapter 1
The TARDIS flew through the time vortex. It was en route to an uninhabited planet in the Cadonian Belt. The location was mid-way between Galactic Alliance space and the territory occupied by an enigmatic race known as 'The Children of Terra.'
The Seventh Doctor, his wife Nita and their friend Carolyn sat in the TARDIS lounge room. A schematic of a Terraberserker spacecraft was displayed at the Doctor's end of the coffee table.
"The Terraberserkers apparently arrived at Cadonia Four nearly three weeks ago. They've been transmitting a subspace subspace signal toward Alliance space ever since," said the Doctor. "The signal is a standard mathematical progression. It doesn't carry a specifi message."
"But they want us to know they're there," Nita observed.
"Apparently so. The Alliance HQ believes their presence is an attempt to start a dialogue."
The Doctor indicated the graphic display – the ship was formidable looking, covered with alien lettering. "Alliance vessels have encountered Terraberserker ships seven times over the past one hundred years. Each meeting was without incident, but formal relations were never established because communication wasn't possible."
"Why?" asked Nita.
"The Children of Terra were called 'incomprehensible' by Captain McCoy of the Miku Sharu. Other accounts are comparable."
"A cause for concern," said Nita. "For all we know, they are threatening the border."
"Everything in the previous encounters suggests a peaceable race," said Carolyn. "We have to start from there."
"Agreed. I appreciate your prudence, Nita. But given the evidence, HQ has arrived at a reasonable conclusion. The Terraberserkers have extended a hand – we must do the same."
There was a beat as Nita let it go for now. Carolyn turned to the graphic display. "The 'Children of Terra.' I've heard rumors about them for years."
"As have I, Carolyn." The Doctor glanced at the graphic of the Terraberserker ship. "Are they truly 'incomprehensible'? In my experience, communication is a function of patience and imagination. I'd like to think we have both qualities in sufficient measure."
They looked at the mysterious, powerful-looking vessel.
The TARDIS and a Terraberserker starship, as formidable as the graphic, faced each other, in orbit above a reddish planet.
The TARDIS viewscreen displayed a Terraberserker – Captain Winfield – flanked by his First Officer, and two other officers. Their uniforms were rich with insignia – and each wore a small ceremonial dagger across his or her chest. But all looked the very embodiment of "well-meaning."
"…Qom VoTivig. Rai of Lowani. Lowani under two moons. Vo of Ubaya. Ubaya of crossed roads. At Tivig. Tivig. Her sky grey." He grunted and shook his head. He smiled in all friendliness, as if waiting for a response.
The Doctor, Nita and Carolyn were staring at the viewscreen, a stupefied expression on each face.
Winfield continued, re-emphasizing: "Qom Vo. Tivig…"
A beat. The Doctor glanced at Nita. "Nita… what do you think?"
"I think they might have good intentions, Doctor."
"The Terraberserker seems to be stating the proper names of individuals and locations. But what does it all mean? I'm at a loss."
The Doctor faced the alien on the viewscreen. "Captain, I invite you to consider the creation of a mutual non-aggression pact between yourselves and the Humans. Possibly leading to a trade agreement and cultural interchange. Does this sound like a reasonable course of action?"
Now it was the Terraberserker's turn to stare open-mouthed. They hadn't a clue. The First Officer turned to Captain Winfield and grunted, shaking his head. The other officers laughed – but the Captain didn't find it funny. "The pond Tareb." The other officers immediately stopped their laughter – as if ordered to. Winfield continued, for emphasis, "In Summer." His officers looked sheepish.
The Doctor and Carolyn exchanged a glance.
"What's your impression, Carolyn?"
"They seem to be trying their best."
"As are we. For what it's worth."
Nita indicated the screen, "Doctor."
The Doctor and Carolyn looked up at the screen, where the aliens appeared to be having a spirited discussion amongst themselves.
"Doman"
"The First Officer looked very concerned – objected. "Doman? Qom VoTivig."
Winfield shrugged. "Shaka. When the walls fell…"
"Zima at Anzo. Zima and Bakor."
"Doman at Tanagra."
"Shaka! Mirab. His sails unfurled."
"Doman"
"Mir…"
"Temarc!"
The First Officer shut up.
"The pond Temarc…"
The First Officer bowed his head in complete compliance – he'd lost the argument. Captain Winfield reached out and took the First Officer's ceremonial dagger.
The Doctor watched as the alien captain turned to him – now armed with two daggers.
"Doman and Jalad at Tanagra."
Suddenly both the Doctor and the Terraberserker Captain dematerialized in a transmat beam.
"Block their transmat with the shields! Extend to maximum range!"
The Doctor completely disappeared as Nita hit the console. "Not enough time! Where is he?"
"The Terraberserkers have transported the Doctor to the surface. With their own captain. Materialization won't be possible, Nita. The Terraberserker ship has created a particle scattering field in the planet's ionosphere.
Nita looked at the viewscreen – which went back to an image of the Terraberserker ship.
In a desert filled with scrub-brush and rock, the Doctor and the Terraberserker Captain were facing each other, separated by ten metres of bare ground. Two daggers were in the alien's hands.
The Doctor was wondering what the hell was this all about.
