Chapter 1

They had arrived at Space Station Alpha with survivors from Solonian Four. Admiral Potts had rendezvoused to discuss the Blowfish terrorist attack.

Admiral Potts stood in the TARDIS lounge. Potts was a younger man than the Doctor appeared, more casual than your average Admiral. He was not feeling at all well; he had a headache and a cold… He sneezed. "Sorry…" He pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose.

The Doctor took a step to a food replicator. "Ginger tea with honey, very hot."

The replicator made it in a cup. The Doctor brought it over. They sat.

"Ginger tea?"

"One of my previous companions' cure for the common cold."

"Common, hell… I picked this up from the Carrionite liaison last weekend. It's some damn virus they've sic'ed on me." He inhaled the steam from the tea first… his face showed some relief…

"Did the liaison have anything to say about the attack?"

Potts sipped some tea as he considered his answer a beat. "It's an old story for the Carrionites. They've had terrorist problems since they annexed the Blowfish home world forty years ago."

"But in forty years, the Blowfish have never attacked an Alliance target…"

"A new militant splinter group has broken away from the Blowfish settlement camps. Leader's name is Hayenga. Apparently he's willing to do whatever he has to to get attention…"

"And your response?"

Potts shrugged. "We're going to give him attention. I can't tell you how good this feels on my throat…" Potts put the tea down, sighed… rose, massaged his head to relieve the pain… "Listen, I'm the first to say that the Blowfish deserve attention… chased off their own planet by the Carrionites, forced to wander the galaxy, settling wherever they can find room…"

The Doctor acknowledged. "On many worlds we've been to, they are isolated, treated as pariahs…"

"The Alliance has great sympathy for their cause… but they're not helping themselves with an attack like this. That's what you have to communicate to them."

The Doctor studied the officer, knew there was more… "That could be done through diplomatic channels, Admiral… what do you really want from us?"

Potts nodded… took a beat, then… "Find this terrorist leader, Hayenga… get him back 'on the reservation'… any way you can."

The Doctor blinked… that was a hell of a request… and it was one he didn't care for very much… he almost smiled incredulously… "Any way I can…"

"The Alliance has dozens of settlements in that sector. We can't allow the violence to continue."

"And what do I have to offer that might persuade him to cooperate?"

"Amnesty."

The Doctor thought that was not nearly adequate. "Admiral…"

"…and a promise that we will immediately begin to address this issue with the Carrionites… quietly, behind the scenes, using every legitimate means… the Blowfish have to be patient…"

"They have endured generations of sympathy and promises. I cannot believe this Hayenga will be satisfied with more of the same."

"It's your job to see that he is, Doctor."

Nita's voice came over the intercom… "Doctor."

"Go ahead."

"Doctor, are you expecting another visitor?"

"No…"

"Well, I've got one waiting outside the door… complete with Alliance orders. Ensign Michelle Forbes." Nita said it with an edge. She had heard of her.

And the Doctor also recognized the name… "Michelle Forbes? From the Wellington?" He saw the Admiral signalling his attention…

"The same one, Doctor. Should I tell her a mistake's been made?"

The Doctor looked at the Admiral. "Stand by, Nita."

"I wrote the orders. I thought she'd be valuable to you."

"Admiral… respectfully…" he paused, trying to fashion a polite way of saying this. "I would appreciate some consulting rights on the assignment of an officer… especially someone with the record of Michelle Forbes…"

"She's Blowfish."

"There are other Blowfish in Earthfleet… assign one of them…"

With increasing tension… "I've discussed this situation with her. I'm convinced she's the right one for the job…"

"After what happened at Galsec Seven, she has no business assisting on any ship as far as I'm concerned… let alone my ship…"

"Please take her… it's all arranged… you have no idea how difficult it was to get her out of prison."

The Doctor stared at the Admiral. "It's that important to you…"

"It's that important. To the mission."

"Nita."

"Go ahead."

"Let her in."

"Doctor?"

"I'll fill you in later, Nita."

"Yes Doctor."

The Admiral smiled.

"Admiral, I hope neither of us regrets this."

"You can handle her, Doctor. If anyone can." Potts rose. "I'll be on my way, then. Actually, you know, I think I'm feeling better."

"Leela would be pleased."

Nita stood just inside the closed TARDIS doors, grim-faced, clearly upset at this… she opened the doors. Ensign Forbes entered. She was an attractive humanoid woman in her late twenties. Her eyes gained Nita's first attention, perhaps because her brows were not separate but connected in a full line over both eyes… the effect was darkly intense.

She carried a 24th-century backpack over one shoulder and was dressed in Earthfleet red; on one ear she wore a silver ring. As she walked through the door, she handed Nita a disc with her orders. She arrived with all the enthusiasm of a plumber arriving to fix your toilet just before quitting time.

"Ensign Michelle Forbes reporting as ordered, Ma'am."