Chapter 6
Half a moon later saw the Doctor and Kallie settled into the order of the cave
Half a moon later saw the Doctor and Kallie settled into the order of the cave. One morning they were standing at the entrance of the cave, having just watched the dawn, and sunlight spill over the earth. The Doctor out of the corner of his eye spotted something moving, pointing in its direction, he instructed them "look."
Zelendoni peered in the direction indicated, and saw humans walking towards them, waving, "we have visitors" she shouted back into the cave.
The Doctor felt them coming, and stepped neatly out of the way, before the tide of humanity erupted from the cave. Kallie wasn't so lucky.
"Oww!" she shouted, looking up at the grinning Doctor,
"What are you doing down there?" he laughed, pulling her up.
By this time, the visitors were surrounded by the members of the ninth cave. One man stood forward, and drew the visitor woman into a hug.
"Oh, Forazel" she was saying, "it is so nice to see you again."
Forazel nodded at his sister, and said "but Forona, what are you doing here, could you not wait to the summer meeting to see your old brother?"
Forona laughed "no Forazel, I couldn't."
In the meantime, Forona's mate had been approached by Johorran, "it is good to see you again Latagon, and how are things in the fifth cave?"
"They are good, Johorran, we have had a visitor, he goes by the name of Retsam, he is very knowledgeable, and has been treating the tent many things."
"We have someone new too", seeing the Doctor and Kallie, Johorran said, "May I introduce you to the Doctor, and Kallie, Ayla's sister" he was amused when he saw the shock in the man's eyes.
Marthona gazed at the happy scene, it was always nice to have friends and family visit, eying the children visiting, she called Folara, can you introduce them around,"she instructed her, "I'm sure they would like to make some new friends
"So why are you here" Forazel asked his sister when they were comfortably sat at his hearth, drinking tea.
"Well, I heard about what a wonderful healer Ayla is and wanted to learn from her" she answered, "and I didn't even have to try to convince Latagon, he wanted to come here to, to see Jondalar's new way of knapping flint."
The next day Forona approached Ayla, and asks her about her healing skills, and Ayla being Ayla shared all she knew willingly.
"So you made a cure for the morning after drinking barma" she asked her incredulity.
Ayla nodded at her new friend, standing up, she took the steeped tea, and poured them both a cup.
They talked for most of the day, about healing, and children, about their mates and the caves that they lived in.
That night Ayla chewed her stew thoughtfully, taking Jonayla off her breast and laying her down to sleep, she turned to Jondalar and said "you know I really enjoyed speaking to Forona today.
"Good" came Jondalar's reply, garbled because he was stuffing huge mouthfuls in his mouth. Swallowing hard, he smiled at Ayla with repentance. "I'm really glad you have made a new friend, but don't you forget your mate" he said with a wolfish grin.
Ayla smirked at his reply. "Have you spoken to her mate, Latagon?" she asked, "it's just that she told me that he wanted to talk to your about knapping."
Jondalar looked up at her; he was again scooping large amounts of food in his mouth, "I'll speak to him" he mumbled, trying to keep the contents of his mouth in, and failing, a dribble of it escaped and ran down his chin."
Getting up, Ayla wiped his chin with an old fur, "you're useless" she giggled as he went back to his plate.
Folara had introduced the new children to some of their own, and they had started playing.
"Let's go swimming" shouted Micana of the ninth cave, grabbing her new friend's hand; she led her to the pool reserved for bathing.
Soon the two girls were splashing each other, Roanna, her new friend laughed, and seeing her brothers approaching them, along with another child from the ninth cave, winked at Micana, and scooped up a large amount of water with her two cupped hands and threw the water as far as she could.
"Roanna," frowned a boy, dripping with water, and then smirk appearing on his face, he charged into the water, followed with his brother and new friend.
Roanna seeing him approach, screamed in fright, "I'm sorry, Saledor" she apologized, as he ducked her under the water.
And so the children played.
The day before they were due to set off for the summer meeting, the Doctor was sat in Zelendoni's hearth, chatting to her about the Zelendonia, when they heard a turmoil coming from the visitors' hearth. Standing up, he saw Ayla, Forona and Latagon carry in the unconscious, visiting children.
"Zelendoni" Ayla cried, "They are so ill but I have never seen anything like it before, I don't know what is wrong."
The Doctor glanced at one child; "he has red skin like he has been out in the sun" he commented.
"I thought of that but it has been raining the last couple of days, and no one has been out of the cave" Ayla pointed out.
He felt the child's head, it was burning with fever, looking more closely, he noticed that the patient's nose was snotty, and it was black. He quickly pulled the tunic up, to uncover the stomach; it had blue spots, which were gushing green gunk. Looking at the child's eyes, he noticed that the usual white cornea was a light green colour, interspersed with dilated red blood vessels. The Doctor looked at Ayla, and sighed, then he examined the other two children, as he was doing this, he muttered, "it looks like…." Shaking his head, he dismissed the idea, "it just isn't possible."
"Can you help them" Ayla asked him, watching him closely, she could see how concerned he was.
"I don't know, I have never seen anything like this before" he answered, and then to himself "not on earth anyway."
Ayla looked at the parents; "I will do what I can for them" she told them with sorrow.
That night, the Doctor was speaking to Kallie, when they heard another disturbance. Thinking that one of the children, he up to go and help, but then realised it wasn't coming from Zelendoni's hearth, it was coming from the sleeping areas of Jomona's, from where her children slept.
This isn't good is it Kallie asked and saw him shake his head.
"It is spreading" he stated simply, getting up quickly, he made a decision, giving the girl some sample slides he can in his bottomless pockets, he instructed her, "I want you to go to everyone that is ill, and take a sample of the puss coming out of their spots, and the mucus out of their noses. I will be waiting for you at the TARDIS."
Kallie nodded at this and went to find Ayla, so she could help her collect the bodily matter.
At the TARDIS, the Doctor was flicking switch after switch. Slamming his hands against the console, he shouted "that is not possible." Turning as he heard the door open he saw Kallie and a very worried Ayla.
"We have the samples" Kallie told him.
He snatched them off her, and hitting a button, started to shout at the slowness of a drawer that opened. In frustration, he pulled in the rest of the way out, and shoved the samples in. Hurriedly pushing it closed, he stood waiting for the results of the analysis. Drumming his fingers, he peered at an empty screen, and then to further abuse the machine gave it a thump, "come on."
Ever so slowly, writing appeared on the screen, and the Doctor could not believe his eyes, "I was right, but how?"
"What is it" called Kallie, now more afraid than she had ever been in her life.
Looking at her, blood drained from his face, he said "it's Venusian Plague, but….." he continued "that is as deadly as the common cold to you earth people, how can they be so ill from VP." Looking at the screen again, he shuddered, "no immunity."
Then he started to hit himself around the head, "it's my fault, I must have given them it" he moaned, then thinking for a moment, he grabbed a screwdriver, and jammed it into his hand, blood pouring out, he ignored the shocked stares of the women, and put a bloody hand print directly on the console. "Analyse that" he bellowed, and then started muttering, "this stupid TARDIS, it's suppose to detect any diseases, it must be malfunctioning."
Looking at Ayla he apologised "I'm sorry, I must have picked it up somewhere, the TARDIS should have picked it up, and disinfected me, but it obviously didn't, those children, and probably others, are going to die and it is my responsibility."
Glancing down at the screen again, prepared to read that his theory was right, he almost missed what it said, "Venusian Plague not detected" confused he mumbled "then where has it come from."
He looked up, the two women were still looking at him with horror, and even a little bit of incrimination on Ayla's part, he sighed, "I'm not contaminated" seeing Ayla look puzzled at this statement, he clarified, "it wasn't me, they have got this from somewhere else."
"So is there a cure for this VA?" Kallie very sensibly asked, breaking through his thoughts.
Now clear headed the Doctor smile, "yes, there is and I will get the TARDIS to synthesise it." Suddenly remembering what he had put his old friend through; he rubbed the centre of the console, and said "I'm sorry old girl."
As they walked back into the cave, they were dismayed to hear so much crying.
Ayla rushed to Zelendoni, "we have the cure" she told her.
The holy woman gave her a weak smile, "that's wonderful, but Ayla, you should know Jonayla is ill."
Turning around she saw Jondalar holding their sick little girl, rushing to them, she felt tears rush down her cheeks.
The Doctor was by her in moments, "it's okay, remember Ayla, we have a cure," and he handed her a small cup, brimming to the top with the medicine.
And so they set off for the summer meeting, a few days late, but all were healthy and they were accompanied, by the hero of the moment, the Doctor.
Chapter 7
When they arrived at the summer meeting they were shocked to see it so subdued. There was no exciting mutterings about the ninth cave, and its animals, and no one even welcomed them. Walking into the area, they did not see a single soul, there were tents all set up but just no people, it was like everyone had just upped and left.
Johorran looked at Zelendoni with worry, "where is everyone?" he asked and watched as she shook her head, she didn't know.
"Johorran should we set up camp?" Rushemar asked.
"No" Zelendoni spoke decidedly, "we need to know what is going on first."
Ayla, straining to hold Whinney, who was spooked by the eerie atmosphere, spotted a child face peering out of a tent, "Johorran, there" she pointed, "there is a child in the tent."
Needing to know what was going on; he marched to the tent, followed by Zelendoni, everyone nervously watched as they went in.
They appeared again after a long time, with strained and worried faces, "it's the illness, it is here" Zelendoni told them.
"What?" yelled the Doctor, coming forward, "it is here, but how?"
Johorran shook his head, "all I know is that half of the fifth cave's children are dead, and those who survived came to the meeting and now many other children are ill. There is a Zelendonia and leaders meeting right now, and those who did not attend are hiding out in their tents."
"We will need more medicine, Doctor" Ayla whispered.
Taking her to one side he told her "I need my TARDIS for that, I will have to call her."
Ayla nodded, and observed as he ran back the way they had come.
When he was totally alone, he made his calling device, using his sonic screwdriver, he set its frequency and attached a silver key to it, putting it on the ground, he sat down and waited. Soon he heard the whirring of his machine, watching as it appeared, he stood up, and walked over to the TARDIS, stepping inside, he picked up the gizmo he had made and put it in his pocket. Going over to the console, he flicked some switches, and synthesised what he needed.
Walking back into camp, he looked around, unsure of which way to go, sensing the direction; he set off, and arrived at the emergency meeting.
"This is a private meeting" said a haughty woman "you can't come in."
The Doctor looked at her; "this says I can" he informed her, holding up a bottle, seeing her confused face, he whispered to her "it's the cure, to the illness."
Seeing her mouth drop open into a silent O, he pushed past her, and said to the large group within," hot stuff coming through", contemplating this statement for a moment, he added "I've always wanted to say that."
Soon all the children who had been ill were better, and though there was great sadness at the deaths of the fifth cave's children, life went on.
Chapter 8
And one thing that went on was the Zelendonia meetings. After he had rudely barged into the meeting, it was decided that, even though he had restored the health of the children, that they didn't want him to come to anymore. But the Doctor didn't mind, he was having too much fun, wandering around the trading tables, drinking in the barma tent, listening to the stories, watching the shows, listening to the songs and joining in anyway he could.
So when Madroman, the new Zelendoni of the distressed fifth cave introduced a new man to the meeting, the Doctor didn't know anything about it, and when this same man, called Retsam told them he wanted to set up a trade agreement between the Zelendonii and two other groups, the Doctor didn't hear.
"Retsam" came the voice of the Zelendoni of the eleventh cave at one such meeting, can you tell us more about the two peoples you are representing, and what they can offer us."
Retsam, an average height man, with light brown hair and a mischievous face, smiled, "the Keladoi, and the Norgodoni have lots to give, they are very prosperous, and have many gifts and much knowledge, they could bestow all that on you."
"What do they want in return?" asked a suspicious voice.
"They offer their friendship, and…" he continued "well, even though they have so much going for them, the Keladoi especially are very few, and would like the Zelendonii to make them stronger."
The eleventh cave's Zelendoni looked extremely pleased at this, "to have so much offered for so little" she thought with avarice.
And the Doctor was not informed.
"What do you want to do today, Kallie?" the Doctor asked one morning.
She looked at him, "Ayla told me last night that the caves are all going to have horse raising today" she told him, "I thought I would go and watch, how about you, are you coming?"
"Yeah, I would love to" he answered, "but no gambling," he smiled playfully.
"I don't think it's been invented yet" she told him with a superior attitude.
"You'd be surprised" he responded.
"Ayla, come on Ayla, and Whinney" Kallie yelled at the top of her voice, "she's almost there, she's nearly won" she turned around and hugged the Doctor. Watching the riders and horses closely, she let out an ear splitting scream, they've done it, there are the winners and jumping up and down she started singing "Ayla is the champions, my friends…" shrugging as head after head turned towards her, she didn't feel embarrassed, she just kept on singing, "and she keep on fighting to the end…."
Trying hard to not laugh, there was no need to encourage her, he turned away, and for a moment, he thought he saw….looking harder, he snorted at himself, he was getting sillier than Kallie, "what next," he whispered to himself, "I really need a check up, or I'll be seeing Mr Blobby next."
Turning back to Ayla, he saw that she had put a necklace of flowers around her horse's neck, and was wearing an identical crown on her head, waving at her; he started to make his way forward so he could congratulate her.
"I must warn you," Retsam started at the next Zelendonia meeting, "the Norgodoni look weird, but you have accepted the clan, they are just another race of humans" turning to the entrance of the tent, he watched as a Norgodoni walked in and waited for the uproar.
He wasn't disappointed, many of the Zelendonii were bigoted, but they had accepted the clan as human, but to be presented with an additional ethnic group of people was nearly too much for many. Hearing many screams, he sighed.
All the Zelendonia were on the edge of their seats, not knowing whether they should run or fight.
"They're monsters" a voice moaned.
And they did look monstrous, they had brow bridges like the clan, but sloped foreheads like the others, but they were not a cross between the two They were dressed in some sort of hide, black and shiny, and their skin was a dark coal like colour, they were most unattractive, and looked faintly malevolent.
Marching straight up to the Zelendonia, he said "Keladoi want you help, you help?"
Whispers and muttering started to get louder and louder.
Taking control of the meeting the Zelendoni of the eleventh cave spoke, "We will consider everything Retsam, if you and you're, errr, friend could leave the meeting, we will deliberate.
The Doctor started blinking, rubbing his eyes, "I think I need my vision checked" he sneered at himself, "I keep seeing things that are not there, next I will be seeing a Cyberman," shaking his head, he walked away from the Zelendonia's tent.
In the meantime, the meeting in that tent was reaching a fever point.
"They look too weird."
"They look like they are up to no good."
"I don't like them."
"We accepted flatheads, were not tolerating these ugly people too."
The griping went on and on, and despite the wonderful offer they had received, the Zelendonia decided that they would have no part of it, because when it came down to it, they just did not trust the shifty looking Norgodoni.
But the response they got from Retsam, and the Norgodoni was not what they expected. They had anticipated that they might be upset, even angry but nothing prepared them for the reaction of their refusal.
"What?!" Retsam shouted, in fact he screamed at the top of his voice, his face had turned a violent shade of red, and his eyes looked like they were popping out of his head. "You dare to defy us?" staring at the horrified crowd, he sniggered, "Well, our trade agreement will go ahead, whether you consent or not." Taking out a small rock like shape, he started talking to it, "emperor, we have been denied, so we go to plan B."
Immediately, the tent was invaded with Norgodoni's, and each one of them was holding a pointed shaped stick, with a handle under it. But that was not the worse of it, because overhead was the rumble of thunder, and the sounds of screams of fright from their people.
"What's happening, Retsam?" asked the Madroman, the used Zelendoni.
Turning to look at him, Retsam said, "They are here, the Keladoi are here."
At the story telling tent, the Doctor had also heard the thunder, rushing out, he looked up into the sky, "space ships" he muttered, turning to Kallie, he yelled, "we've got to get to the Zelendonia meeting."
When they arrived, they saw Ayla outside the tent, looking confused and more than a little bit scared. "I think Retsam and the Norgodoni are behind this" she shouted over the roar of the ships landing.
"Who?" the Doctor screeched back.
"Retsam, he's new to the Zelendoni, been staying with the fifth cave over winter, and has been trying to set up a trade agreement between us, and two other people."
The Doctor pulled both women out of the way, as the curtain to the entrance of the tent was pulled back, hiding behind a bit of hide, they watched, as a man walked out.
"You" the Doctor ran to the man, challenging him, "I should have known, Retsam, how could I have been so think, Retsam spelt backwards in the Master. Staring at his enemy, and his one time best friend, Zebatan.
"Ahh, Doctor" the master smirked, "it is so nice to see you?"
"What are you doing here?" demanded the Doctor.
Turning towards the ship, and seeing the ramp was down, he said "I'm just helping old friends, the Keladoi.
The Doctor looked at the ship too, and seeing the Keladoi, ascending the ramp he muttered one word, "Daleks."
And then he shouted to all the Zelendonii standing in front of the Daleks' ship, and all those through out the meeting, "run, run for your lives."
But he didn't need to tell them, because in shock, they were already running, unfortunately, it was with no purpose, they were running in circles.
And the Daleks, after elevating themselves above the grass, started shooting people with their laser guns, "exterminate, exterminate."
Chapter 9
"And you know my other friends" he heard the master; turning around he saw an Ogron, holding Ayla tight.
"Leave her alone" he roared at the alien.
"He can't do that, my dear Doctor, he's not in charge, I am, and the Daleks of course and it is my will that she dies."
"No" Kallie shouted out, revealing herself to the master.
"Yes, my dear, and you should be glad, I didn't choose you instead of Ayla."
Kallie looked at the master in confusion.
"You mean, the Doctor, the great, wonderful, intelligent Doctor has not worked everything out, he doesn't know it was me?" Sneering at her, he said "let me tell you a little story."
"I've seen the future, you know I have and what I found was a race, a once magnificent race, reduced to nothing. I could hear their spirits shouting out to me for revenge, for a second chance, to finally raise themselves as the supreme masters of the universe. Right then I decided I would help them, so I travelled back to before their destruction, and I found two little girls, the saviours of the worlds they would be called in later generations, but then they were just called Kallie and Hallie. These children, had somehow stopped an invasions, and had killed this ancient race. And so I stalked them, waiting for an opportunity, any fortuitous event when one of these girls would be delivered into my hands. And then it happened, the girl Hallie had gone shopping with her mother, leaving her twin at home with the father, so I followed them, and watch and waited. She was a naughty child because she ran away from her protector, and I took the opportunity and snatched her from her hiding place under a rack of clothes. I brought her back to the ice age, knowing that she couldn't destroy the race if she was here, but just to be sure, I decided to kill her. That night I left her with a woman to look after her, and the next morning I came back to accomplish my wonderful destiny, and I found they were gone, just a scar in the earth to show which way. So for many years I thought they were safe, but then I came to the Zelendoni, at the fifth cave, and Madroman was more than willing to tell me about a man called Jondalar, a man he hated and despised, and about the woman who he had brought back from the east, a woman that had survived an earthquake as a young child, and had been raise by flatheads. I realised that this woman was the missing Hallie, and so I contacted the ancient race, who, along with their servants, came and helped me plan what we would do."
Looking at Ayla, he said "and so my dear, you see you have to die, for nothing can stop the plans of the Daleks" and he laughed maniacally.