Prologue
In an art class on Krithia, the Doctor's hand held a paintbrush and worked on a painting. He and the rest of the class were painting a female model. The door opened and Ace entered. She walked over to address the Doctor in a sotto voice.
"We've completed our survey of Doctor Raphael's work and we're ready to return to the TARDIS."
The Doctor put aside his paintbrush. "Good."
Ace was curious about the Doctor's artwork and was trying to get a better look at it when the Doctor noticed her interest.
"Please," he gestured. "and examine the work of the other students as well."
Ace moved in front of three paintings as the other students moved aside. The first was a woman with flowers. "This striking style is heavily influenced by geometric constructivism." She moved to the second picture, a woman with a violin. 'This artist has effectively fused the inconsistencies of the surrealists with the irrationality of Dadaism."
She returned to the Doctor's painting. Chuckling, the Doctor tried not to betray his feelings as Ace prepared to pronounce judgement. Ace had been studying up on different art styles.
"Interesting."
"How so?"
"While suggesting the free treatment of form usually attributed to Fauvism, this quite inappropriately attempts to mix the contrasting cubistic styles of Picasso and Leger. And, the use of colour suggests a haphazard mixture of clashing styles. Plus, the unsettling overtones of proto-Vulcan influences…"
The Doctor's features had become progressively clouded during this speech and finally he'd had enough. "Thank you, Ace."
"You're welcome, Professor. If I may be of any further assistance…"
"No, thank you."
Ace turned and exited. The Doctor slowly walked toward his painting, picked up a jar full of paint brushes, removed the brushes and proceeded to throw the bright red liquid onto his canvas.
After completing a delivery of a particular compound to Research Base Truro, Ace and Nita were receiving an update from Doctor Raphael on her efforts to create Delta Waves, a potentially valuable new power source.
The Doctor and Ace returned to the TARDIS. "Where is Nita?" asked the Doctor.
Ace answered evenly, but there was a trace of tension in her voice…"Still on the base, Professor. Doctor Raphael wanted a word with her."
The Doctor noticed. "Any problems?"
Ace hesitated. This was really something Nita should tell the Doctor about. "Not… with the scientific part of the mission, Professor."
The Doctor's curiosity was raised even further by Ace's evasiveness, but before he could pursue it, Nita's voice breaks in over the com line. "Nita to the TARDIS," she said a little stiffly. "I'm coming back now."
Saved by the bell…to the Doctor's unspoken question –
"I'm sure Nita will explain, Professor."
"What is going on?" wondered the Doctor.
"Activating my vortex manipulator."
But nothing happened. The Doctor frowned at the console. "Nita?" He noticed a power drain.
Suddenly the base exploded. The aftermath of the explosion was clearly visible on the Main Viewer. "Nita?" he cried urgently. He worked furiously at the console, trying to locate her.
Finally, there was a flash of light and Nita appeared in the console room.
"You made it!"
"You sound surprised, Ace."
"For a minute, we weren't sure you left the base in time."
"In time for what?"
"It just exploded, Nita!"
