Chapter 5
In the holo-drafting room, the computer was talking. "Deflector shield failure. Lethal radiation levels. Fatal exposure in twenty-three minutes."
Ace looked at the static viewer. "I can't do it."
"It might work, Ace."
"And it might not. I can't ask the Doctor to turn the TARDIS over to a computer."
"It's all we've got."
"Ace!"
"Professor…two minutes…give me just two minutes. There is another way, Professor…two minutes."
"Two minutes."
"Ace, there's no other way…"
Ace interrupted him. "Listen…turn it around…come at it
from the opposite direction…God, it's so simple it might work…"
Rasilon shook his head.
"Lethal levels of radiation…"
"Computer, shut up…at least in the Holoroom."
The computer shut up. Ace sat down at the console. "OK. Computer, new simulation. We've only tried overpowering the trap. More energy, faster adjustments. That's what we can't do because we're supposed to do that. That's the booby trap. The answer lies in our own computer. The mind…the best piece of engineering ever."
"Didn't your research indicate we need a thousand adjustments per second?"
"Not if we shut everything off. One blast of everything for a microsecond to beat the inertia
and then we shut down, except for life-support and two thrusters. No engines. No computer."
Nita looked at the Doctor. "One propeller?"
"Deflector shield failure. Lethal radiation levels. Fatal exposure in 12 minutes."
"Have you analyzed the risk?"
"The numbers say even. It's no better than the computer, but no worse. Forget the numbers. The computer can't compensate for human intuition. Experience. And the wish to stay alive."
The Doctor nodded. "Make it so."
Everyone moved into position.
"I've run the simulations. If you want me to take control…"
"No, Ace. You've done your job. Now I must do mine." The Doctor crossed to the control panel. "I relieve you Ace."
Ace yielded her station to the Doctor. "Yes, Professor." Ace moved to stand next to Nita.
The Doctor stood at the console and looked over the controls.
"Deflector shield failure. Lethal radiation levels. Fatal…"
"Computer, discontinue radiation warning till further notice." Nita nodded to the Doctor. "All yours, Doctor."
"Firing engines."
As the engines flared to life and almost immediately shut down, the TARDIS slowly started to move.
"Engines are now down. Shutting down all systems."
The console room lights went out.
"Speed is one hundred and thirty two metres per second."
"We'll enter the debris field in eight seconds."
The Doctor stared intently at the asteroid fragments and other debris ahead, decided on the course he wished to take, and touched his panel.
"Starboard thruster firing."
A tiny lateral thruster fired and the TARDIS gently shifted course. A large chunk of asteroid loomed ahead.
"Coming to heading three-four-zero mark one-zero."
The Doctor, intent on the viewscreen, killed the thruster.
"Doctor, that large mass to port may contain an assimilator."
The Doctor fired another thruster, a quick burst this time.
"Port thruster firing."
They gradually adjusted course and glided silently past the asteroid.
"No reaction from the assimilator. We're past the first hurdle." Nita shook her head in wonder at the Doctor's coolness, then, "Doctor! Object to port!"
The Doctor, imperturbable, was already firing a thruster.
"Starboard thruster."
The Doctor, watching the viewer, saw the object sail past the TARDIS. His eyes moved on to the next problem.
"Professor, the gravity of the various masses has reduced our speed by eight percent. By my calculations, we can no longer clear the debris field."
The Doctor quietly interrupted, he didn't need to hear this. "Thank you, Ace." He fired a thruster.
"Port thruster."
A monstrous asteroid glided into view, dead ahead. Nita's eyes widened. She looked to Ace. The Doctor watched the viewscreen, but made no move to fire a thruster.
"The asteroid's gravitation is drawing us closer. Speed is increasing."
The Doctor didn't react. They were heading straight for the massive asteroid and picking up speed. Everyone was watching the viewscreen. Ace and Nita exchanged a look that said 'I hope he knows what he's doing!' Still the Doctor waited, and waited.
"Speed is still increasing. Now at 219 meters per second."
The Doctor remained impassive as the bulk of the asteroid filled the screen. He poised a hand over the helm, waited a beat, then fired a thruster.
"Starboard thruster."
As a thruster blasted to life, the TARDIS, still gaining speed, slowly changed course. Instead of colliding with the asteroid, it whipped around it, the slingshot effect flinging the TARDIS on a new course, completely out of the debris field. The Doctor, as impassive as before, shut down the thruster.
"You've used the asteroid's gravitational pull as a slingshot! Ace!"
"We're out! We beat it!"
The girls looked at the Doctor with awe.
"Nita, would you like to take us into the vortex please?"
"Yes, Doctor, with pleasure!" With a victorious jab, Nita dematerialised them into the time vortex. The console room lights came back on full.
Ace had returned to the holographic drafting room and was having a quiet moment with Rasilon.
"I've always thought technology could solve almost any problem. It enhances the quality of our lives. Lets us travel across the galaxy. But sometimes you just have to turn it all off."
They looked at each other for a beat.
"We made a good team."
"Maybe we could do it again sometime."
"I'm with you every day, Ace. Every time you look at this engine. Every time you touch it, it's me."
She acknowledged his words. They smiled at each other. She moved to him and kissed him on the lips, a soft gentle, goodbye kiss. A last look and…
"Computer, exit holoroom. End program."
The door opened. The program ended. She left. She went looking for the Doctor and Nita and found them watching a movie in the media room. She hovered in the doorway, uncertain whether she should intrude. The Doctor noticed her.
"Come and join us, Ace."
Ace looked at Nita for confirmation. Nita held up a large bowl. "We have plenty of popcorn, come on!"
Ace smiled and went in to join them.
The End