Chapter 3 - Saving Ursula
Finding the field generator became a bit more challenging when the TARDIS reported it was on the move. The Doctor tracked it to an alley just off of MacAteer, where it finally came to a halt. Emerging from the TARDIS, they were rewarded with not only the alien technology, but the original object of their search. Elton Pope was on his knees beside a rather grotesque creature. Alien intervention or not, the Doctor had a more threatening force at his back. He stood aside from the TARDIS doors and informed Elton gravely, "Someone wants a word with you."
The Doctor and Rose walked back over towards the TARDIS and the site of the Abzorbaloff's final stand, giving Elton some time to compose himself. Elton had just recounted how Victor Kennedy had used LInDA, how, with a single touch, Ursula had joined his innumerable victims.
Elton had also just learned the truth about what had happened to his mother. The Doctor hadn't recognized him at first, because the last time he and Rose had seen him, Elton had been just a small boy in 1969. It had been one of their earliest side trips after the Doctor's regeneration, and not one where everyone had lived.
The Doctor marveled at how Rose's ire on her Mum's behalf had instantly turned to sympathy for Elton once the situation had become clear. Just one more thing he loved about her.
"How could somethin' like that even exist," asked Rose, once they were far enough away for privacy, "if it needed technology just to keep it from spillin' onto the pavement?"
And the Doctor just loved how her mind worked! Always the right questions. "Well, this one was probably a glutton," He hypothesized. "He only needed the limitation field because he was continuously absorbing more than he needed or could metabolize. That's why those faces weren't fully absorbed, why they retained some individuality. I imagine you'd hardly recognize one of his species that had less of an appetite."
"I just wish there was somethin' we could have done," said Rose, staring at the still-wet concrete.
"We did sort of save Elton's life," the Doctor observed.
"I mean for the ones who were absorbed," she explained.
The Doctor thought about it, walking over to the patch of ground in question, examining it with his sonic screwdriver. "Well," he said, squatting down and checking the readings he was getting, "if I can key into the absorption matrix and separate the last victim... it's too late for total reconstruction, but..." It was working! A face was emerging from the slab. "Elton!" he shouted back towards the young man, "grab a spade!" The Doctor looked up to see Rose beaming at him while he worked to bring Ursula back. Why hadn't he thought of this before? She really is brilliant.
"What's that you said? A spade?" asked Elton, jogging up behind Rose. "I haven't got - Ursula?"
"Hello, Elton," said Ursula's face.
"It's the best I can do," said the Doctor.
Elton walked over and dropped to his knees beside her, half laughing, half crying for joy.
The Doctor stood and gave him some space. "Hang on," he said, moving towards the TARDIS, "I think I've got a spade in the cupboard across from the garden." He saw Rose move to crouch next to Elton, as he ducked inside the TARDIS in search of tools.
Surprised to find the implements exactly where he expected, the Doctor returned to the scene, handing a crowbar to Elton, and one of the spades to Rose. Together, they managed to pry Ursula free.
"Thank you, Doctor," said Elton, holding the concrete slab.
"Thank you, so much, Doctor," said Ursula.
"Our pleasure," he said, taking Rose's hand with pride.
"Do ya need a lift?" asked Rose.
"Naw," said Elton, looking briefly at the TARDIS, "I'm parked just 'round the corner. But thanks. Thanks for everythin'."
To be continued...
