The doctor's moon

Chapter 14

The planet Espery was usual a very civilised and modern place to live with everyone respecting each other and enhancing their knowledge of how their galaxy works and why and how they came to be. However a war was underway. Emperor Droll was aiming to keep the planet on the straight and narrow, i.e. developing technology to make the lives of the people better in moral ways. While Professor Vice believed that expanding the planet's rule would work if they invaded another planet. Espery was split down the middle over this issue but Vice had an idea on how to get his way, by the help of a woman and her child.

In a field near an Esperian farm, the whirring alarm of the TARDIS echoed. The blue box appeared and the Doctor and Luna stepped outside to be greeted by the bright sunshine. Luna pulled out a pair of shades and the Doctor put his long coat inside then locked the doors. Luna looked around at a spectacle like no other. The buildings were designed as domes put together with hexagons.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"A planet called Espery," The Doctor explained, "The people here are the most technologically advanced people in the Universe, second only to the Time Lords."

"Amazing"

"Come one then, there's sightseeing to do."

They linked arms and walked to the nearest town. It was like a normal British street, except the domed buildings, proper shops and the people looked human, like Luna, except slightly more evolved. The Doctor told Luna that they only ate organic fruit and vegetables, hence why there were no livestock, so their teeth were like cows. As they walked amongst the shop, the two friends separated and Luna ended up in a jewellers. As she scanned over the beauty necklaces, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a woman holding a bundle and wearing a hood cape.

"Please ma'am, take this and look after it for me." She begged.

Before Luna had time to answer, the bundle was dumped in her arms. She peered in and saw a tiny baby boy asleep in the blanket.

"But…" She looked up to find the woman gone.

Luna ran out of the shop but had completely lost her. She had to find the Doctor right away. She dug out Spots then followed it to the Doctor.

The Time lord was examining objects in an antique shop that were unusual. He had his chunky spectacles on and was getting curious looks of the other people in the shop. However two people weren't paying attention. The Doctor carefully listened without making it obvious that he was eavesdropping.

"Have you heard about the royal family?" The low voice of a man asked.

"Yes, the Emperor's son has gone," A woman commented, "Seems he's been put in safety from Vice."

Who or what was Vice? The Doctor casually listened, while looking the other objects. He learnt about the history of the rivalry on planet and that this Vice person was after to prince to take over the planet. This sounded like the sort of mystery that he and Luna specialised in. As he thought about Luna, she suddenly appeared at the door.

"Luna?" He questioned.

"Doctor, we need to get back to the TARDIS," She called, "Now!"

Hearing the insistence in her voice made the Doctor put down the antique in his hands and followed his human companion. She turned and started running to the police box so he had to run after her. Once at the TARDIS, Luna showed the Doctor the baby in her arms then told him the story of where it came from.

Concerned, the Doctor took out a stethoscope and the sonic screwdriver. Carefully and gently, he scanned the child then listened it his breathing and heart rate. Luna watched intently hoping that they would be able to get the baby home.

"Well?"

"He's healthy and is no more than three months old, I'd say," He replied, "The only thing is finding his family."

Luna picked up the baby and watched as the Doctor went to his screen and started looking for any DNA connected to the baby. The only place that seemed to contain the DNA was up at the palace. The Doctor then remembered what he had heard at the shop.

"This is the King's son."

Luna was very surprised to hear that and listened as the Doctor repeated what he had heard. But as usual he spoke in his rapid and excited pace. Luna rolled her eyes and gave him a look that reminded him what he was doing. He apologised then tried again but slower.

While they discussed what to do, Vice, himself, had tracked down the prince after finding out that he had vanished. The signal was coming from inside a ship whose shape and size were hidden from the tracker. He had now set his sights on kidnapping the child then possessing the ship. He gathered his armies then set off. Meanwhile on the TARDIS:

"So we need to get the baby to the palace."

"Uh… no, unfortunately there is some person called Vice after him."

Before either of them could do anything, they heard the revving up of space age guns. The Doctor peered at the screen and saw a group of five Esperians aiming ray guns at the TARDIS. Luna tightened her hold of the baby.

"What are we going to do?" She asked.

"You and the baby are going to hide, wait until I give the signal then you are going to fly the TARDIS to the palace and use Spots to tell the Emperor where to go."

"And you?"

"I'll act as decoy."

"But Doctor…"

"No buts. Hide down here."

Luna had never noticed that the Doctor had a secret trap door right under the controls. She could go inside and hide. She gave the Doctor a look that said be careful then hid.

The Doctor calmly as normal, he stepped out of his ship to meet his captors. Two of the guards held their ray guns at the Time lord while the other three went in search of the baby. Luna stayed perfectly still and listened for any signal from the Doctor. After five minutes, she saw the three guards leave the ship. A minute later, there was a loud knock against the TARDIS and Luna took that as her signal. She got out of her hiding spot, put the baby on the floor then started flying the TARDIS. Outside, Vice was trying to interrogate the Doctor as to the whereabouts of the baby. Suddenly the blue box started whirring loudly then started to disappear. Before they could do anything, it was gone.

"You tricked us!" Vice shouted at the Doctor.

"But if you want to know how to work it and where to find it," The Doctor started using his charm, "Then you are best keeping me alive."

Vice knew he was right and ordered his men to take the Time lord to his castle.

Meanwhile, Luna had arrived at the palace to quite a stormy reception. The guards were not happy to see her but when she showed them that she had the prince, the Emperor was so grateful that he hugged her. But she wasn't finished yet.

"Your highness, I also have the location of Professor Vice."

"You do? You amazing human," He replied, "Show me."

Luna pulled out Spots and held out of the Emperor.

"The red dot belongs to my friend who's been taken prisoner by Vice."

"Very good, I shall gather my troops and we shall arrest the professor and save your friend. After all you both saved my son."

Luna couldn't help but smile as she watched all the necessary forces being put together to save her Doctor. She jumped in to the carriage with the Emperor at the back for safety.

At Professor Vice's castle, the professor had the Doctor locked in a cage and chained so he couldn't move. Vice tried to get the Time lord to tell him where the Prince was and how his ship disappeared. However the Doctor kept stalling him by talking in long winded riddles as ever. Eventually, Vice lost his patience.

"TELL ME NOW!" He roared as he grabbed the Doctor by his collar.

Suddenly, before Vice could harm the chained time lord, the doors of the castle burst open and in charged the Emperor's army. They rushed grabbed Vice's henchmen and arrested them then arrested the professor himself. The Doctor watched from in his cage hoping someone would get him out. He was disgusted when none of the army came to help. But that's when he heard the magical voice he thought he'd never hear.

"Doctor!" Luna's voice called him.

"Luna, thank goodness it's you," The Doctor sighed, "Now, the sonic screwdriver is in my pocket so reach in, get it out and free me."

Luna did as she was told and freed her friend then gave him a huge hug. She was almost in tears as she buried her face in his shoulder. When they pulled away, the Emperor took them back to his palace to get back to the TARDIS.

"This planet is eternally gratefully to you," The Emperor announced, "And we'll never forget how you helped to stop the war."

"You are very welcome." The Doctor replied.

"Have a safe journey."

The Doctor and Luna waved at the crowd then stepped in the TARDIS ready to go. They set the controls then were off. Glad to have The Doctor back, Luna placed her head on his shoulder and smiled.