The Doctor and Peri were trying to strike up conversations with the ship's passengers. Peri found a few young girls but they had nothing to say about the journey that would shed any light on the attack. It seems they spend most of the trip shopping or lounging. If she had ever gone on a luxury cruise in her time before the Doctor, she might have spent it in the same way. Then of course she would have been with Howard and her mother and it wouldn't have taken long for tempers to flare. "Thanks for your help."
Just outside the room, another young girl no more than ten approached her. "I heard you talking to those other girls and I want to tell you something." She looked around before leading Peri to an alcove. "I had forgotten all about it until I started hearing things here. Then the adults would stop talking so as not to scare us kids." She took a deep breath and started. "This cruise was my father's idea. It was okay the first few days, but then I got bored and started exploring. Anyway, one time I ended up down in the hold somewhere. I hid when I heard people coming. They stopped just far enough away so I could hear but not see them."
"What did they say?" Peri prompted patiently.
"I don't remember word-for-word, but I do remember them talking about Colonel Kelly being onboard and how they'd have to change their plans. I remember them saying 'Naylon attack'. That's what reminded me."
"Why didn't you tell any of the crew or your father at least?"
The girl looked at her as if the answer was obvious. "They would have yelled at me for being somewhere I shouldn't have and wouldn't do anything about what I heard."
"So why tell me?"
"You're an Investigator, aren't you? Besides, I don't like that guy with the loud jacket. He looks like a clown. I'm scared of clowns."
Peri smiled. The Doctor could appear overbearing and frightening. "Don't worry, I didn't like him when I first saw him either, but he's all right. Better than all right. I'll need to share with him what you told me," she said, standing.
"I guess that's okay."
"C'mon, I'll introduce you." Peri led the girl back into the main room where they saw the Doctor in the midst of a conversation with Alan Kelly's friends. The girl saw them and stepped back. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Those soldiers, they're the TOC aren't they?"
"I think so. I met them this morning."
"Wow, you know them?"
"The Doctor's met Col. Kelly a couple times before. We saw him in the hospital."
"Is he doing okay? I wanted to see him, but Dad said that he wouldn't want to see a little girl."
"You're Shandris, the girl he saved."
"I was exploring again when I got trapped. I wanted to thank him and apologize."
"I'm sure he wants to see you as well."
"Peri, there you are. I see you've found a friend," said the Doctor upon seeing her.
"This is Shandris. She's an explorer, Doctor, and she overheard an interesting conversation while on the ship."
"Really?" The Doctor peered at the girl and she looked away, nervous.
"Why don't you come sit down," Shannon said, leading her to a sofa. "I know having so many people staring at you can be unnerving," she smiled. "I'm Shannon."
"I know," Shandris answered. "And that's Ryan and that's Eric."
"You know who we are, then. That's good. You've already told Peri your story. Do you think you might tell us?" The Doctor beamed. "For a fellow explorer."
Shandris related her story once more as detailed as she could remember without elaborating. Peri's associate, the Doctor, listened to her story with unnerving intensity. The three members of the TOC listened patiently knowing that she could prevent a war.
"Can you describe the voices?" asked the Doctor. "The quality, pitch, accent? Male or female?"
"They were both male, I think. Not much of an accent, but one of them spoke like he had a cold—all stuffed up."
"Were they voices you had heard before?" asked Ryan Kelly.
"I don't think so."
"Can you tell us where your cabin was?" asked Eric Rader. Wondering why he needed to know, Shandris told them. "Well, that should eliminate some of the crew."
"Of course," said the Doctor. "Shandris would have seen the same attendants everyday."
"Thank you for your help, Shandris," Shannon said. "If you think of anything else, leave a message at the hospital, okay?"
"Oh, and Shandris?" The Doctor reached behind Shandris' ear. "Have a jelly baby."
The Doctor watched the young girl walk away.
"I thought we were going to meet at the hospital," said Peri.
"That was the original plan," answered Shannon, "but the captain refused to speak to us."
"He'll talk only to an Investigator," put in Ryan.
"I've been nominated for the role," said the Doctor. "A quick stop at the TARDIS and I should be able to find an ID or badge that would pass muster."
"Maybe you should pick up a change of clothes, too," said Eric. "Investigators mainly stick to solid colors—navy, brown, and black, preferably."
The Doctor was stunned. His sartorial tastes had always been a little off-center but never had he been told to make changes to fit society's needs. He had never felt the need to be one of the herd.
He must have been ready to burst for Shannon quickly intervened. "It's not that there's anything wrong with your outfit, it's just that they'll know you aren't the real thing, no matter how good your ID or bluff."
"Think the Master, Doctor."
"Yes. I see what you mean." The Doctor smiled as if he just ate a canary. "Officious, pompous. A complete boor at parties. Fine. Peri, you stay here. You seem to have a knack getting information." He turned away as she opened her mouth to protest. Why do they always do that? "We'll meet up as originally planned," he called from the doorway.
He went to the TARDIS and rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out the most understated suit he could find: black jacket and trousers with a white shirt. As he could not bear to be completely devoid of color, he sported a cravat of deep red. He was surprised to find an Investigator's badge and license that was only a few years old. No need to bluff after all. Thus armed, he continued on to the hospital.
At reception, he showed his ID and asked to be shown to the bridge crew. "You got here quick," said the nurse.
"I was in the general area and set off once I heard what happened. If I had waited for the call, who knows what else could have happened?" He tapped his forehead. "Initiative."
"Yes, well, the ward you want is on the fifth floor. Once out of the lift, turn right."
"Thank you." Once on the fifth floor, the Doctor strode through the general ward where Alan was. He couldn't show he knew the man so he looked straight ahead. However, he couldn't ignore him and gave him a slight wave as he passed his bed.
A guard was posted by the door to keep any other unauthorized personnel from entering after the members of the TOC had tried to question the crew. The Doctor showed his ID and was allowed inside. The crew was taking advantage of the downtime, engaged in various relaxing pursuits. The captain was at a small desk by the window, presumably composing his account of the attack.
The Doctor cleared his throat and all immediately stopped to stare at the newcomer. "I am Investigator Smith," he announced. "I need to take a statement from each of you individually and then you may be released from your confinement." He looked around the ward and all the eyes that stared at him. It was time to assert authority. "Before we start, have any of you been approached by people wanting to speak of the incident?"
"The TOC forced their way in claiming that it was in everyone's best interest to come to a solution before it came to war."
"A solid argument. However, as they are not accredited Investigators, anything they did would hinder instead of help, bogging the case down in legalities. You were quite right in refusing to speak to them. Now, if we could start?"
Alan woke from his little nap feeling rested and a little less pain. He was about to ring for a nurse to bring him some more entertainment prospects when he saw an Investigator stride through the hall. As the man got closer, Alan could see it was the Doctor. He even gave a little wave as he walked by. What the hell is he trying to do? Seeing he might now have entertainment as the Doctor questioned the crew, he prepared for a little astral journey.
He soon found himself looking at the Doctor from the viewpoint of Berwick. He seemed a bit overconfident from what Alan could sense. What made him suspicious was the total lack of concern. There would usually be some agonizing of what a war could mean.
He "jumped" into each of the crew as the Doctor questioned them and they all told the same story—practically word for word. It was obvious they were in it together and had time enough to come up with a story. It all fit in with what he had been told and what he saw on his arrival on the bridge. It seemed like they would have to prey on the weak and get him—or her—to break.
He came to himself to find a doctor inspecting his bandages. "You've healed quite nicely, Colonel. You'll just need to keep your arm wrapped for another day. Other than that, I see no need for you to remain in hospital. I'll leave you to change now." She closed the drapes behind her.
While dressing, he contacted his brother. /What's going on? The Doctor came by dressed like an undertaker./
/Capt. Berwick wasn't too thrilled with our attempt to question him and the crew, so the Doctor is pretending to be an Investigator./
/So what are you doing/
/Questioning the passengers at the hotel. Oh, we met that girl you saved. She provided us with a good lead. How are you doing/
/Pretty good. The doc says I should be out of here soon./ He homed in on Ryan's machine.
/That's great. We can--/
Alan left while his brother was in mid-sentence only to appear at his side. "So tell me of this great lead we have."
Ryan filled him in and they were soon joined by Eric, Shannon, and Peri. "This just seems to confirm our suspicions," Shannon stated.
"There hasn't been any formal declaration from the Naylons either," said Eric.
"Of course not," put in Alan. "The crew's been sequestered, unable to send anything out. If only we could find the cause of the explosion. There's no way now."
"There might be," said Peri. "We were there when it exploded. The TARDIS might have it in its memory."
"We'll have to ask the Doctor when he gets here."
"Ask the Doctor what?" the Time Lord said as he arrived. He had obviously gone to the TARDIS to change into his "normal" attire.
"What took you so long?" teased Alan.
"Not all of us have Time at our beck and call."
"You're just jealous."
The Doctor only pouted.
"Doctor, Peri mentioned you arrived right before the explosion," said Shannon.
"Yes, we did."
"Would the TARDIS have recorded the blast in its memory? If we can figure out if it started inside or outside the ship, we would know if we're on the right track."
"Sounds good to me. I can download the sequence onto something compatible for this time so it can be entered as evidence." He looked at the crowd they were attracting. "Why don't we adjourn to the TARDIS where we can talk without worrying about being overheard."
As they walked through the city to where they Doctor had left his TARDIS, Shannon tried to convince herself that this was the same man she had known in Jamaica. This one was much stranger than his more dashing self. Peri had explained how, when near death, the Doctor's body could regenerate, causing him to change appearance and certain personality traits. Peri had actually witnessed the last one. Shannon then remembered the Doctor saying something about changing bodies before.
Without even being told, Shannon knew the TARDIS the moment she saw it. After all, a 20th century police box would be in a museum in this place—if one even still existed. She couldn't help but smile as it was so fitting. The Doctor had told her of his fondness for Earth during that time period, so maybe the TARDIS wanted him to have a piece of it with him always.
After a moment of lightheadedness while crossing the threshold, Shannon found herself in the control room of the TARDIS. It looked just like Alan had described it—after she goaded him enough times—right down to the roundels in the walls. Opposite the entrance was another door that obviously went deeper into the ship.
The Doctor pushed a button and a recessed monitor lowered from the ceiling. "I should be able to recall the desired image," he said as he fiddled with some other controls. "There, that should do it."
They all stared at the monitor as the pictured cleared to show the Nightjar. It wasn't long until they saw the main explosion and a series of smaller ones that spread throughout the ship. It was amazing that everyone survived.
"It looks like it started on the port side, one of the lower decks. What's down there?" asked Ryan.
"I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was near where Shandris overheard that conversation," replied Alan.
The Doctor removed a small disc from the console. "Let me try to pull up the schematics. Then we can narrow down who had access."
"An officer from the bridge could pretty much go anywhere, though, right?" asked Peri. "What good will that do when they're the ones we suspect anyway?"
"Good point," commented Shannon. "Besides, any evidence we found would be inadmissible." Or become its own federal case, she added to herself. The Doctor looked at her and she could tell he didn't approve of what they wanted to do. But what else were they to do? If they waited too long, the real Investigator would show up or the crew would be reassigned before they got another chance to talk to them.
They all seemed to know something she didn't and the Doctor was none too happy. Then it hit her. Shannon said something about bringing back evidence. That could only mean going back to the ship before it exploded.
"Shannon and I will go," said Eric. "With only two of us, there will be less chance of screwing something up."
Eric hadn't said much and seemed to drift to the side when the brothers were around, but she could tell he had his own story. Volunteering to go on a ship you knew was going to explode took guts. Maybe she could get the lowdown on all of them before long.
"Remember, you're just there to get information about what—or who started the explosion," the Doctor was saying. "Don't try to stop it."
"We are the Temporal Observer Corps," Shannon reminded him with a grin.
"We'll be careful," said Eric. "No one will know we're there."
In the blink of an eye, they were gone. For a split second, Peri swore she saw a look of envy cross the Doctor's features. He would definitely be more dangerous if he could pop back and forth through time like that. "So what now?"
"Doctor, what did you learn from the crew?" asked Ryan. "Anything to work with?"
"The captain was rather hostile towards you. I played to his vanity and told him he did the right thing. As for the story, it matches what Alan told us."
"What about the comms officer?"
"They all said the same thing," Alan told him. "The exact same thing."
Peri looked at Alan and wondered how he got in to witness the questioning when he wasn't one of those "Investigators". Besides, he was supposed to have been in bed recuperating. She turned to the Doctor. "I thought you said it was better if you went alone."
"I thought I was alone." He looked at Alan, waiting for an explanation.
The pilot hesitated as if trying to come up with a plausible explanation. "Astral projection," he announced.
"Really?" Peri was fascinated. If she had heard this before her time with the Doctor, she would have thought it a load of bunk. However, now she had seen too much to doubt it.
"A form of it anyway."
"I wish you'd call it something else."
"What would you call it?"
"The dispersal of semi-conscious quark doppelganger."
"Right. Astral projection."
"Next thing you'll tell me about all the ghosts you've met."
"Sorry. Immaterial. Do go on," the Doctor said, holding back any comments until he had heard the full story.
Peri held back her laugh. She knew the Doctor was watching her bulging cheeks. He looked more smug than usual. She burst.
"I have this ability to put myself inside a person's consciousness. I experience what they do, see through their eyes. I can't read thoughts or anything, but I can pick up on emotions. Anyway, Berwick had no guilt or remorse, nothing, not even for the loss of his ship."
"All those people that could have died, that were hurt, and he felt nothing!"
"You're right," said the Doctor. "There was no emotion at all. One would at least expect some anger." The Doctor put his arm around her and gently squeezed her shoulder. She patted his hand. "I was attributing it to shock, but it might be something more."
Peri didn't like the Doctor's tone or the look on his face. Together they always meant trouble. She braced herself and asked the question he was waiting for. "What do you mean?"
"That perhaps they weren't responsible for their actions."
"You think they're being controlled by some outside force?" asked Alan.
"You mean they're possessed?" questioned Ryan in disbelief.
"No absolutely not! Not possessed, young man! Do you know what science is? Hmmn? Do you?" The Doctor glowered at him, and Ryan actually stepped back. "There are many insidious being who find humans the ideal tool for their purposes. Post-hypnotic suggestion. Mind control. Definitely not possession!"
"But who would want to see a war like this?" Peri asked. "Neither side would benefit."
"That's why I feel it may be a third party, one who could gain financially from the fighting. There was an infamous arms dealer from this era who did just that." The Doctor looked pointedly at Ryan.
"I see you've made a few changes since the last time I was here," Alan remarked.
"I forgot you've been in the TARDIS," commented the Doctor as he accepted the change of topic. He then went on to explain some of the finer aspects of the controls.
Peri yawned. Since she knew enough about the TARDIS' operations and temperament, now was a good time for a nap.
Shannon and Eric arrived in the area pinpointed by the Doctor's TARDIS as the likely spot where the bomb was. "Why am I not surprised," said Eric as he took in his surroundings. "This is where they always put the bomb. Somewhere dark and cramped with tons of pipes."
"Okay, so where would a bomb cause the most damage?" Shannon asked aloud.
"Not immediate damage, anyway," continued Eric as he looked. "It allowed everyone to get off."
"So maybe it wasn't just one bomb but a few spread throughout the ship timed to go off at certain intervals, the last causing the most damage."
"Makes sense. Alan said something about there being a number of hits."
"Well, making sense of what we're looking for doesn't make it any easier to find."
"And as for who did it, it's not like there are security cameras in this area."
"We may not need any," Shannon whispered. "Footsteps."
The two hid behind a tangle of pipes and watched as the door slid open and a figure stepped cautiously inside. The face was blocked from view but they could tell it was carrying a bomb.
"No wonder we couldn't find it," whispered Shannon.
As if hearing her, the figure raised its head, exposing his face to what little light there was. Eric couldn't believe it. "How can that be?"
"I guess the crew weren't the only ones hypnotized."
"But I thought you guys couldn't be, what with the telepathy and such."
"We were never shown a defense against it so we're just as susceptible as anyone else." She watched as Alan left. "C'mon, let's follow him."
"Wouldn't do us any good. He's probably been instructed to return to his cabin. When he comes out of it, he won't remember a thing. Our best bet is to return to the others. My guess is the Doctor can put Alan under and hopefully get him to remember."
They returned to the TARDIS where they were practically pounced upon by Ryan. "So, did you see who did it?"
"Yes, we did," Eric answered.
"Well, who?"
Eric didn't say anything but looked at Alan. Stunned, Alan stood there, unbelieving. "That's something I didn't expect," remarked the Doctor.