The Doctor sat in a barber's chair in the 24th century, the barber's tools working on his hair. The Doctor's face was unpleasant as the barber chattered on.
"…there's a time when you want to call a Sontaran's bluff and there's a time when you don't… Wouldn't you say?"
The Doctor tried to be polite. "Yes, well, one does not always have the luxury…"
The barber interrupted. "You've got to choose your time and place with them. True or false?"
The Doctor sighed. "Whenever possible."
"So, this time you were lucky."
The Doctor started to respond, then simply grunted.
The barber continued. "I suppose all's well that ends well but if I had been in your shoes…"
The Doctor frowned impatiently, and glanced in the mirror… "Well, it looks very nice, Ken… that should suffice…"
"Hold on…" He picked up a new tool and checked the sideburns… trimmed one side… "…there." …and now he was facing the Doctor eye to eye… "I must tell you, Doctor, Nita was in for a trim yesterday… and she agreed with me a hundred per cent…"
The Doctor cocked an eyebrow at that one. His mobile phone started ringing. He answered it, with an edge. "Yes?"
In the TARDIS, Nita reacted slightly to the tone of voice. "Sorry to interrupt. We're receiving an emergency distress signal from the Solonian Four colony."
"Uh oh, right along the Carrionite border…" said the Barber.
"Set new co-ordinates. I'm on my way." He rose and paid the barber and after he exited, the barber shook his head with concern, turned to a colleague and sighed… "I told him we never should have colonized that close to the Carrionites…"
The hairdresser nodded in agreement.
The Doctor entered the TARDIS. Nita and Carolyn were in the control room.
"Rrrreport."
"The signal ended abruptly… we were unable to raise them on subspace…"
"Hail them on upper and lower band frequencies, Nita."
"I've tried, Love. No response."
"Time to the Solonian system?"
"Six minutes, Doctor."
The Doctor acknowledged, satisfied, stood at the console.. glanced at Nita… "I understand you've been discussing alternative adversarial engagement strategies with Ken."
"It would be more accurate to say he was discussing them with me… He's the best hairdresser in this town… what can you do…? Love, receiving another signal from a vessel leaving orbit of Solonian Four… new frequency, low band… audio only…"
"Open the channel."
There was some crackle in the reception. "This is the Blowfish. We claim responsibility for the destruction of the Alliance colony on Solonian Four. As long as we are without our homeland, no one will be safe in this sector."
The signal ended.