CHAPTER 28

HOMING IN

l'X'el and K'ell'k nearly jumped out of their skins when the globe in front of them suddenly flared so brightly they had to shield their eyes. A moment later it completely clouded over and began going alternately brighter and darker. Then the system started to overload, the computer screens on the active podiums going brighter and darker in time with the globe.

"What's happening?" K'ell'k demanded, shielding his eyes with his hands as the computer in front of him flared again.

Jason materialized during this technological upheaval. He watched l'X'el trying unsuccessfully to regain control of the system, which only fueled is anger. He folded his arms, taking an angry stance, his disapproval clearly evident.

As the unseen Alterran's anger rose, the feedback caused by his mental trace increased and sparks started flying from the podiums.

"Contact!" the Doctor announced, his hand flying over the controls. A moment later, he hit the dematerialization switch.

Mel was beside the motionless Jason who had a variety of electrodes attached to his head linking him into the console. She was closely monitoring his vital signs with a small handheld scanner. At the least indication of danger, a cutoff switch would be thrown, terminating the connection and pulling Jason back.

"Any idea where we're headed yet?" Mel asked without looking up.

"Not yet. The navigation computer's still processing the trace," the Doctor replied. A smile came to his face as the computer locked onto the coordinates, the room shuddering as the TARDIS changed course. "Now that is a surprise," he said, taken aback by the readings. "I haven't been there in a while."

"Where?"

"Well, if you go by what the rest of the universe believes, we are currently on course to a planet that doesn't exist."

"Oh great," Mel moaned.

When l'X'el finally managed to get his computer under control, the information it yielded only added to his shock. "It's an overload!" he gasped. "I'm getting feedback. Massive feedback."

"What's causing it?" K'ell'k wanted to know.

"I don't know! Everything's running out of control!"

"l'X'el, you have to do something! Turn it off! Pull the plug! Something! If the feedback runs the other way, you'll kill—"

K'ell'k was in the process of getting down from his chair when the podium in front of him exploded. Caught completely off guard, he was lifted off of his feet, and thrown halfway across the room.

The invisible Jason watched helplessly as the youth was sent flying. He landed several metres away, his head cracking loudly against the stone floor.

The monitor in Mel's hand suddenly let out a loud beep and she jumped. "Doctor!" she gasped, "Something's happening. These readings are all crazy."

The Doctor was at her side in an instant, scrutinizing the screen. "No, no," he said under his breath. "Jason, what are you doing?" He was about to reach for the cut off when the Alterran drew a deep breath, his eyes struggling open.

"Locked on?" Jason asked in an urgent tone. "Are you…locked on?"

"Yes, you did very well," the Doctor said proudly, patting him on the shoulder. "You rest. We should arrive shortly."

Jason shook his head and closed his eyes. "No, I'll see you there."

"What! No! Jason, wait! You're not strong enough—"

It was already too late. The Doctor watched in horror as the Alterran's body faded and then completely vanished from the console room.

K'ell'k was bleeding profusely from where his head struck the floor. l'X'el was beside him but had absolutely no idea what he should do. Jason suddenly materialized in the room, startling the distraught young man as he abruptly appeared out of nowhere. "Ambassador!" the boy gasped.

"I don't know what your story is, but save it," Jason snapped angrily as he crossed the room. "I'll deal with you later." He knelt down and quickly examined the unconscious K'ell'k's injuries. "What's your name?" he asked without looking up.

"Um…l'X'el."

"And his?"

"K'ell'k—Kay. He's my brother."

Jason looked up, his striking blue eyes boring into the unprepared l'X'el to the point that he actually flinched. "Your brother has a serious head injury…" he began firmly.

"This is all my fault!" the boy moaned despairingly. The Alterran grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. "Listen to me! If your brother doesn't get immediate medical attention, he'll die! Do you understand?"

Tears were already welling up in l'X'el's eyes. "Yes. But do you understand that there is no help here?"

At that moment the TARDIS materialized with its usual cacophony of wheezes and groans, a final thump announcing its arrival into the realm of reality. The second the time machine fully solidified the Doctor was out the door and heading across the room. "What do you think you're playing at, pulling a stunt like that?" he admonished angrily.

Jason was lifting the unconscious K'ell'k from the floor. "Sorry, Doctor. Medical emergency. This is K'ell'k, and that's his brother, l'X'el. My trace of the time aura caused the system to overload and K'ell'k got hurt when the energy discharged at this end."

The Doctor stopped dead in his tracks, immediately curbing his anger and waving his friend on. "Go." He turned to the awestruck l'X'el, who was staring open-mouthed at him.

Seeing this, Jason rolled his eyes, carrying K'ell'k into the time machine and leaving the Doctor to sort out the unlikely orchestrater of their present situation.

Mel had to jump out of the way when Jason suddenly strode through the exterior doors, the limp youth in his arms. "I'm assuming the Doctor told you to stay here incase of trouble," he said as he quickly crossed the room.

"Yes, was all Mel managed to say.

"Good. I'm on my way to the sickbay. This young man needs immediate surgery. Let the Doctor know where I am when he comes back."

Before Mel could respond one way or another, Jason had vanished through the inner door.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:Yes, It was a lot shorter than the others. We are moving into Part Two. Now that the Doctor has arrived in the flesh, events with l'X'el and K'ell'k will no longer be italicized.