The Call of Balkisia

By: Jennifer Hart

Author's note: This takes place in the 5th Doctor era between Kinda and Visitation. BBC owns the Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan, and Adric.

Part One: The Storm Without

"Doctor, do you know where we are going?" Tegan Jovanka's brassy Aussie tone held just a hint of annoyance for annoyed she was. The purple hue of the sky and the blue sands that spread out as far as the eye could see had immediately made clear that not only had the TARDIS failed to return her to Heathrow yet again, but had once more skipped Earth altogether. She'd been all for leaving straight away but the Doctor had insisted on checking out their surroundings.

They'd been walking for a little over an hour. The TARDIS was well out of sight but the rest of the scenery remained the same. Sand and sky, sky and sand; no trees, no life forms, no sign of civilization. To make matters worse, an unusual wind had started to blow lightly across the sand.

"Of course I don't, Tegan. That would spoil all the fun."

"Is that a civilization up ahead, Doctor?" Nyssa's voice, unlike her companion's, betrayed no emotion. The Doctor cut her a worried look instead of following her point to the structure well off the horizon. Though he had said nothing to anyone, he was starting to worry about his youngest companion. She had lost so much in her young life and he felt more than a little to blame for most of it. He had recognized in her a natural shyness when he in his previous regeneration and Adric had first met her on Traken. However, since she'd learned of her father's apparent death at the hand of the Master as well as the obliteration of the planet she'd always called home, she seemed to be drawing more and more into herself. It seemed to him that she basically went about her daily routine simply because it was expected of her.

Nyssa shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze so the Doctor looked to where she was pointing. Way off in the distance barely visable was a dome-like structure. He smiled. "Yes, it does appear to be. Tegan, that is where we are heading."

A bit of sand blew in Adric's eye and he grumbled under his breath. Things were certainly different since the Doctor had regenerated. No longer was it just he and the Doctor roaming the universe since Nyssa and Tegan had arrived. Tegan was seldom fun to be around; she was always complaining about something, usually about the TARDIS not getting her home. Nyssa had held such promise of a close friendship until the moment they had watched Traken being taken over by the entropy field. He'd seen in it her eyes; though barely a tear had fallen, the spark had gone out of them. He felt almost protective of her now even if that led to arguments every now and then.

The four had barely taken twenty steps after Nyssa's discovery when the wind picked up even more. Walking became increasingly difficult as the sand picked up and blew in their faces. Talking was impossible and visibility was almost nil. If they weren't careful, they would lose sight of each other completely. Not for the first time did the Doctor miss his old familiar multicolored scarf. Though it would be out of place with his Edwardian cricket outfit he'd adopted since the regeneration, it's length would have at least ensured they would be able to stay together.

Reaching out, the Doctor grabbed the nearest hand he could find -- Tegan's by the feel of it. He gave it a squeeze to encourage her to do the same with either Adric or Nyssa. He needn't have bothered. Adric was not waiting on anyone to take his hand. With his right hand he groped about catching Tegan's free hand. With his left, he tried to do the same with Nyssa. She wasn't there.

Shielding his eyes with his free arm, Adric looked for his younger friend. He was horrified to see that the wind had toppled her into the blowing blue sands. He tugged Tegan's hand so she would follow him. As he reached his fallen friend's side, Nyssa was struggling to her feet but the wind kept knocking her down. Sand blew up her nose and past her clenched lips threatening to choke her. She was relieved when Adric's hand grasped her wrist and he helped to her feet.

The Doctor pulled them in close so he could be heard over the wind. "We have no choice but to try to reach the dome. It's closer than the TARDIS and I'm afraid we may not be able to find our way back if we tried. Stay close and no matter what, don't let go."

It was slow going. Each took a turn falling and having to be helped up. By the time the dome came close enough to raise their hopes that they would survive, the four were exhausted. The Doctor banged on the door hoping the wind wouldn't drown out the sound. Suddenly it slid open and the four tumbled inside. The door closed behind them and t last the swirling wind was gone.

"Where…where are we?" Tegan gasped as she regained her breath.

"Apparently the foyer area of the dome entrance. Quite ingenious of them actually. The door opens from the outside and admits people but the inner door remains closed until the outside door is closed and the interior is safe from the sand storm." The Time Lord appeared fully recovered as he knelt beside the Australian. "Are you okay, Tegan?"

"I will be no thanks to the sand sandwich I ate out there."

"Adric?"

The boy nodded from where he was sprawled half sitting, half lying on the floor. He was out of shape, not accustomed to the exertion the trek through the storm had required of him.

"Nyssa?" The Doctor gave his young companion a worried look. She was so small the wind had to have been even fiercer on her. But the young woman from Traken had risen to her feet, her breathing labored but not as much as Adric's or Tegan's. She smiled to allay his concerns.

"I'm fine. If storms like that are common, it's no wonder there's so little sign of civilization."

The inner door slid open to reveal three men in burnt orange robes. They looked surprised to see the four travelers there but not unduly alarmed. The Doctor gave them a smile. "Hello, there. Lovely weather, isn't it?"

Adric and Tegan arose and along with Nyssa followed the Doctor out of the foyer. No one noticed the flash of pain that crossed Nyssa's delicate features. She rubbed her temples as if trying to ward off a headache.

"Who are you? Why are you outside during the Balkisian Winds?"

"Balkisian Winds, so that's what the storm is called. I'm afraid we aren't from around here. We were caught before we knew what was going on and unable to return to our craft. We are certainly glad to have found your dome here. I hope we would not be troubling you too much if we asked to stay here until the storm lets up."

One of them men nodded. "Of course you may. To travel in this storm would be suicide. Welcome to the Life Dome. I'm Barel, Chief Elder of the dome." He introduced the two men with him as Gorek and Thomes, two of the other Elders of the community. The Doctor shook their hands as he began his introductions.

"I'm the Doctor, and these are my companions, Tegan, Adric and … Nyssa?" His tone rose in concern when he looked at the brown-haired Trakenite. Her face was pale, twisted in pain; her eyes were closed tightly and she swayed back and forth like she was about to faint. Concerned, he forgot about the newcomers and wrapped his arm around Nyssa's slender waist before she could fall. She sagged against him, her fingernails digging into his arm.

"Make…make the pain…go away."