3. EVA from the Tardis.
The Doctor had met Ommera after she entered the Tardis thinking that it was a museum!
Crystelle had met the Doctor in a previous episode when she had been of comfort to the Doctor. Today she is wearing a fetching low-cut top and a short skirt. She has bleached her hair.
The Doctor takes Crystelle to the door of the Tardis and opens the door. There is nothing out there, just the darkness of space with distant stars.
Crystelle is surprised. When the Doctor announces that they will go out, there has always been something to step on - ground. Ok, she thinks, they are in space, but there is no sign of the spacecraft they have just been talking about. She is taken aback. Wouldn't you be?
Crystelle asks the Doctor, "Where is the Orbiter?"
"Just below us," the Doctor says. He points down.
When the Doctor points down to indicate that it is just below them, she is surprised. How can he mean just below them? "Aren't we inside the Orbiter?" Crystelle asks.
"No," the Doctor replies. "It's too small for the Tardis to fit inside."
"Couldn't you shrink the Tardis?"
"Chancy," the Doctor replies. "It might shrink us, too. It's like playing in a fault zone. When we step out of the Tardis, the air should stretch to their airlock. We just have to get their airlock open and we can get in." He smiles, hopefully.
When the Doctor explains that the air from the Tardis should just reach to the spaceship's air lock, Crystelle is fearful - what if the air is thinner nearer the air lock? She daren't say anything more. The Doctor appears confident enough.
The Doctor asks Ommera to close the Tardis door in one minute's time. "We can't let all that much air go to waste. That should give us time to open their air lock hatch."
When the Doctor asks Ommera to close the Tardis door after just one minute, there is suddenly a time limit to get to their target destination. Crystelle can't see where she is going to go, and she has to get there in a very short time. There will be a big temptation to rush. If she rushes, she may drift off into the blackness of space. There are dangers! Very real and apparent dangers! She is also beginning to feel the cold of space as she isn't wearing much today!
Tense Moment.
The Doctor tells Crystelle to hold on to something at all times. The Doctor and Crystelle both get down on their knees at the door of the Tardis and the Doctor shows Crystelle the metal rungs on the side of the Orbiter that they must hang on to and pull themselves around to the air lock. The Doctor goes first, then it is Crystelle's turn. She pulls herself around to the Orbiter airlock. Without gravity, it is easy, but it takes a moment to get used to not having to lug any weight around.
The Doctor opens the outer airlock for Crystelle. She goes into the Orbiter airlock first.
Crystelle is worrying that there won't be enough air for them, but she gets completely into the airlock before the air stops being supplied from the Tardis when Ommera closes the Tardis door.
Crystelle & the Doctor now have no air and the outer airlock door is open.
The Doctor floats into the Orbiter airlock. He says something but there is no sound.
Crystelle clutches her face.
The Doctor closes the outer airlock and presses a button for air.
Air rushes in and they are breathing again.
"That proves my point. It's far too dangerous where you are!" Crystelle says. She is very annoyed; it is so dangerous travelling with the Doctor, and today is no exception. Her rant is only short lived as there is work to be done.
The Doctor opens the inner airlock. They are immediately in the Orbiter sitting area - there is only the one room with six seats around in a circle.
Commander Neville Green is alarmed not to see Angel.
The Doctor greets him assuring him that he is a friend. They float across and sit in the ring of seats.
"Where have you come from? Are you aliens?" Neville asks.
"I'm not, but he is," Crystelle says. Then she regrets saying it.
Neville is very alarmed and horrified and tries to crawl as far away as possible from the Doctor (that isn't possible, but he tries). Then Neville reaches and fumbles to press a button to communicate with Earth control. "Orbiter to Earth control, this is Orbiter - we have intruders."
"Now, then," the Doctor says calmingly. "Let's not worry about things like that. We understand that you have a problem with intrusion."
"Yes, it's you!" Neville says.
Crystelle feels that she must placate the Orbiter crew member. "I'm sure you don't mind my intrusion," she says softly and perchance, seductively. She moves round towards Neville.
Crystelle doesn't realise at first that this in itself presents a problem and that it might adversely affect the Orbiter commander. Her attempts at trying to persuade the Orbiter crew man that all is ok are taken the wrong way.
"I'm sure you don't mind me being here," Crystelle says.
Neville moves instinctively away from what he sees as her seductive advances.
Crystelle moves round again, another seat closer.
Neville moves away from her again, but finds he is already sitting next to the Doctor who he believes is an alien.
Crystelle apologises. "I'm sorry. We haven't got off to a good start. I'm Crystelle and this is the Doctor."
"I didn't ask for a doctor?" Neville says squeakily.
"We came to help with the intrusion on the planet," Crystelle says.
The Doctor finds his blank psychic paper credentials.
Neville is incredulous. "Pest control?"
"Ah, yes," the Doctor says. "Erm. We think you might need pest control. Could you tell me what the intruders were on the planet?"
"They said crabs, metal crabs," Neville says.
"Ah. I'll need to see one to identify what it is and where it's come from," the Doctor says.
"The Lander will be joining us in a few minutes," Neville says. "But where did you come from?"
"Doesn't matter," the Doctor says. "We came; we came to help." He smiles to affirm what he is saying.
Neville has calmed down a lot. It is a lot for him to take in. The jest about the alien Doctor, now these two are some pest control, but out here in space where it would take them months of flight to reach the Europa Orbiter, who are they, and what are they really doing here? It wasn't part of the NASA plan. Did any other space administration send them?
At this point Crystelle is sitting opposite to where the airlock is in the ceiling having moved seats a few times. She retrieves a small booklet from a pocket.
"Oh, what's that?" the Doctor asks.
"Just some thoughts for the day," Crystelle says. "It keeps me more relaxed, particularly after a stressed day."
"Do share," Neville says. His day has been very stressful.
Crystelle reads from her book. "Always be kind, generous and loving.
If someone is falling behind, walk beside them; encourage them.
If someone is being ignored, include them; encourage them.
If someone has fallen down, lift them up; encourage them.
Remind people of their true worth; make time to understand them.
Be the person who you needed when you were going through the hard times.
For it is in giving that we receive.
One small act of kindness could mean the universe to someone."
Crystelle continues reflectively. "I try to make a positive difference in other people's lives. I was studying to be a Spacecraft Flight Engineer when I met the Doctor. He inspires me even more to find others in difficulty and find ways to help them. Sometimes I quail at the difficulties - I really do. Then I find strength to carry on. I don't know everything about him, but I do know that he inspires me, as much as He who lives in me. I will always remember him fondly."
They have a few seconds in quiet.
Neville smiles appreciatively. "Thank you." He is much calmer after that. He now sees Crystelle as more of a person rather than an invader. And he sees the Doctor as a huge force for help. This eulogy has cleared many of his fears at least. He still has so many questions, though!
The Doctor, too, is impressed with the depth of her revelation. He now sees her as much more of a companion. He will take her on further outings.
Having calmed the situation, how can the Doctor help? Will Crystelle build her courage to go on future outings?