Age of the Silurians
By Vanya
Part 3
"Hit? It's going to collide with the Earth? Are you sure?"
Haze nodded "I'm certain, I went over everything myself."
"This isn't right."
"You think?" Haze screamed, starting to panic again, "We're stranded millions of years in the past, held prisoners by prehistoric reptile men with a very real danger of being hit by the moon. What part of this could possibly be considered 'right'?"
"I assume that's a rhetorical question."
"Damn right! And what's with the name? Silurians? Last I checked the name of the Silurian period was a human invention."
"Actually this is the Eocene period."
"What?" the sheer number of revelations was proving too much for Haze and she sank to the floor with her head in her hands.
"That one's my fault, when I first encountered them we called them Silurians by mistake and the name just stuck. They don't actually call themselves Silurians anyway, that's the telepathic field of the TARDIS at work."
"Great, well that's one mystery solved. Now all we have to do is figure out how to move the moon and save the Earth. But if we give them the help they want then the moon gets moved into a safe orbit, everything's fine, except for the fact that Earth remains under Silurian rule and my race never evolves. And we can't do nothing, because then the moon hits the Earth and does untold damage making it uninhabitable for millions of years. Doctor, we're in one hell of a predicament."
"I know." The Doctor wanted to smile. Despite the weight of the facts that had been thrust upon her Haze was coping with the situation surprisingly well, as well as anyone could have been expected to cope under the circumstances. She had already grasped the complexity of the situation and was trying to find the solution. In that respect her understanding of the entire predicament was only a few steps behind his own.
"So, any ideas?" She asked after a long pause.
"One or two, what sort of time-scale are we talking about with the impact?"
"It's early days yet, well over a year, maybe as much as two before it hits."
"Good then we have time."
"Time for what? In case you haven't noticed we're still trapped in a cavern."
And with that the door once again swung open to reveal Abpor and Darrok.
"Bound to happen." she muttered.
"You have convened long enough," Abpor said, "I will ask you one more time for the help we need."
"Sorry Abpor, we can't....." Haze began.
"Quiet! It is clear that you know nothing of use. I must speak with the Doctor."
"I can't give you what you want." said the Doctor.
"Then I shall take what I want."
Abpor's third eye began to glow. The Doctor stood firm for a moment, but collapsed under the pressure of the mental attack.
"No!" Haze yelled, attempting to run to his aid, but was restrained by Darrok.
"Do not fight me Doctor," the Silurian continued, "You will only prolong the suffering. My people have highly advanced mental abilities and I am the best at what I do."
Abpor's face lifted, displaying what could only be described as a smile, "But you knew that didn't you Doctor? Yes, you've encountered my people before, but in the future."
The Doctor looked up with a look of pained concentration on his face.
"I can see it all now, this ape girl you have with you, she's from this planet, her people stole the world from us while we slept. Slept? Yes, we survive this through hibernation."
The Doctor was loosing the battle, letting out a pained scream.
"No!" Haze cried out, "Stop, please, you're killing him!
But Abpor ignored her, continuing his mental onslaught, "But there's more in here, so much more. The knowledge you hold in your head Time Lord. We don't need to hibernate. Once we have survived the crisis, a simple gravity trap will see to that, then the Silurian Empire can rise. With what I know now we can reach the stars! We can......." and then Abpor went quiet.
It had all happened so fast. One moment Haze was being held back, helpless. But Darrrok had thrown her to the ground. When she looked up she saw him standing next to Abpor, a knife was in Darrok's hand which had been thrust deeply into the other Silurian's side. Everything stood silent for a moment, then Abpor collapsed to the floor.
When Darrok had brought the travellers into the city all he had wanted was to save his people. But Abpor was cruel and ambitious, he took what he wanted, but kept taking. He went to far, for all his years of hunting Darrok could not stand to watch unnecessary suffering. He also knew how the elders would react, they could not care about the pain Abpor had brought, only the results. He would be hailed as a hero, and a saviour, not a sadist and a murderer.
"That wasn't right," said Darrok slowly, "We do not advance ourselves through the suffering of others, maybe we do not deserve this planet."
But Haze wasn't listening, "Doctor!" she cried as she ran to his side, "Doctor, are you OK?"
"I'm fine thank you Liz. Now send for the Brigadier won't you, I think Morka's had it."
"What?"
"The confusion is a result of Abpor's invasion of his mind," Darrok said gravely, "I have seen it done before, but never this long or intense. You friend is lucky, he must have an exceptionally strong mind."
Haze smiled, "Strongest I've ever seen."
The Doctor pulled himself to his feet. Once standing he massaged his temples for a moment, then shook his head violently, as if trying to shake off the attack. Once he was done he turned to his saviour, "Thank you Darrok," he said, then looking down at Abpor's body, "I wish there had been another way."
"Was it true what he was saying Doctor?"
He nodded, "Every word sadly."
"Then you know how to save our people."
"Yes."
"But you are not going to."
"No. I'm sorry Darrok, I truly am, but I've seen the future. This planet is the home of two great civilisations, one has to fall for the other to rise. It's the way it has to be."
"One life must end for the other to begin, that has always been the way."
The Doctor smiled, he hadn't him expected to take the news so well. The one Silurian who could truly understand his fate was the one considered a savage by the rest. There was a lesson there somewhere....
"But there's still the problem of the moon," Haze broke the Doctor's train of thought, "It's still going to hit unless we do something."
"Right," added the Doctor, "We need to move it, just enough so it doesn't collide, but still forces the Silurians underground."
"And how do you propose we do that?"
"We need to get to the TARDIS. Darrok, can you take us back to where you found us, I need my ship."
"Too late Doctor, it is being brought to the city as wee speak."
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At the edge of the jungle two beasts of burden carried their precious cargo. At the head the procession were Kutiipo and Porak, behind them the workers and the animal handlers. Despite their technological advancements this was a civilisation was still reliant on the labour of animals. The Silurians, much more than the humans that would proceed them, had managed to form an equilibrium with their world, they kept to their cities, based around natural cave systems, and left the jungles untamed. When these jungles needed to be traversed no feat of mechanical engineering could compete with the creatures that had evolved in the environment. Consequently two lumbering beasts were on their way back to the city. But Silurian technology still had its part to play. If left to their own devices the animals would have died out years ago, when the Earth was hit by a less than natural disaster. But Silurian scientists had been able to save some of the smaller creatures underground, while advanced knowledge of genetics had been able to bring back the bigger animals such the loaders. Between these two loaders was a ceramic sling which held the alien box.
*************************************************
From the hunter's cave the Doctor, Haze and Darrok watched as the TARDIS was brought into the city, laid to rest in a courtyard. This area lacked the refinement and beauty of other cities in the Silurian world. This city was new, built quickly to observe and counter the threat that faced their world as well as a acting home for the great minds of the species. In the past the empty sky had held little fascination for the Silurian race, and so the energies of their research had been poured into other areas, predominantly genetic engineering and exploration of the oceans. Bus as the object approached astronomy and space had to be mastered quickly.
"We do not have long," Darrok stated, "Already the best scientific minds are being assembled to examine your box."
"Will they be able to get inside?" Haze asked.
"Not without a key," replied the Doctor, "But they're still going to have a good go at it anyway, and all those scientists are going to make it impossible for us to get to it. If we're going to take it back we need to go now."
With news of their escape yet to reach the Elders the security was minimal, only Porak and Kutiipo stood watch over the prize.
"Now is the best time to strike," Darrok agreed, "The two who guard your box are my hunters. Porak I have known his whole life, he will listen to me. Kutiipo will be more difficult."
"Right then," the Doctor said, a little more cheerfully than was appropriate for the situation, "I suggest we take the direct approach."
Breaking cover he stood up and with his hands in his pockets casually walked over to where the TARDIS stood, Darrok and Haze following quickly behind him. Immediately the two guards struck a defensive pose.
"Let them past," Darrok commanded in a vain attempt to resolve the situation without any need for bloodshed, "We need access to the box."
Porak wavered for a moment, seemingly willing to step aside but Kutiipo stood firm.
"Where is Abpor?" she hissed, "We are to answer to him and only to him."
"Abpor is dead," Darrok said defiantly, "He was willing to torture and kill the travellers so he had to be stopped."
"You would doom our world to save the strangers Darrok?"
"I would."
There was a moment's silence, then Kutiipo hissed angrily, "Then we can allow you to go no further with this." She said, shifting to a battle stance.
Porak however was uncertain, torn between loyalty to his mentor and loyalty to his people.
"Leave us Porak, you know that I am right." Darrok's words were enough to tip the balance, the young Silurian took off at a run.
"Coward!" hissed Kutiipo.
"I will offer you one more chance Kutiipo, what we are doing is here is wrong, let me free the travellers."
"Never!"
With that final word Kutiipo lunged at Darrok, her hatred outweighing her duty.
As the attack was launched the Doctor dodged one way and Haze the other. Taking advantage of the confusion he ran to the TARDIS, he quickly had the door open and was in the control room with Haze right behind him.
"What about Darrok?" she asked, "Surely we aren't going to leave him."
"Of course not, we just need to find the right moment. Once we're all inside there's nothing we can do, so right now Darrok is our priority. Check the scanner."
Haze ran over to consult the screen. She watch as Darrok and Kutiipo mercilessly traded blows outside. Darrok was had the benefit of experience, but the years were taking their toll on him, whereas Kuttipo was young and lithe, but fought on instinct.
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Darrok.
Darrok felt a sharp pain to his face as the shaft of Kutiipo's spear connected with him, distracted by the voice in his head.
Ouch, sorry about that. This is the Doctor, I've linked to your mind through the TARDIS. To the left!
Darrok dodged the blow, this time from the sharp end of the spear.
We need to get you inside, you're going to have to do exactly as I say.
"Yes." Darrok said aloud, unsure how else to respond.
Good. I need you to get your back to the TARDIS.
Darrok lunged forward, gripping Kutiipo's spear, trying to wrestle it from her grip. In doing so he forced them to turn in a half circle.
Good, now you're going to have to trust me on this, let her gain the upper hand.
After everything that had happened that day Darrok was ready to put his trust into this one man, to the voice in his head. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and loosened his grip.
Mistaking the manoeuvre for a moment of weakness Kutiipo put all her force onto the next attack, forcing Darrok backwards, slamming his body into the TRARDIS.
Pinned by the shaft of the spear, unable to push his opponent away Darrok prepared to accept defeat. But the door swung open and Darrok fell backwards, and was quickly pulled inside, the door closed behind him. From a lying position he marvelled at the sight around him, this huge structure somehow inside this tiny box, a truly alien achievement.
The Doctor and Haze smiled down at him, "Welcome to the TARDIS Darrok," the Doctor had returned to using his voice, "A few quick repairs and then we'll be off."
*************************************************
In the great courtyard sat a mysterious blue box. For hours the greatest scientific minds of the Silurian world tried to break its secrets, to find a way in, but they failed. The box shot up into the air and was gone, and so was the last hope for their world.
*************************************************
The TARDIS held it's position in space. Behind it was the Earth, a shimmering mass of blue and green, still in its early years, still developing, and in front of it was what the Silurians called 'the little planet', a pleasant name for the object that would bring about the end of their civilisation. Haze looked around at the three of them aboard the TARDIS, a Silurian from the Earth's past, a Time Lord who held the planet's future in his hands and herself, a human far away from her own time. Past present and future all brought together for this single, decisive moment.
"Are you sure you can move the moon in this rickety old thing?" she asked, trying to get her mind off the magnitude of the situation.
"Of course," the Doctor replied confidently, "I once moved the whole planet with this rickety old thing."
"That was you? I knew it!"
"Hold on tight"
The control room shook as the TARDIS threw a gravity field around the enormous rock. The tiny box zipped across the blackness of space dragging the moon into it's historically accurate position. In that moment one civilisation was doomed, but another, along with the whole planet saved.
*************************************************
For a second time the TARDIS fell to Earth, but this time the landing was more gentle. The doors swung open and three figures stepped out of the impossibly small box.
"Head north," the Doctor instructed, "You'll come to a settlement. Find a scientist named Okdell, tell him that the object has moved and that his people must go underground to avoid the catastrophe." There was a sadness in his voice. He had just doomed one civilisation so another my exist.
"Thank you Doctor." replied Darrok.
"We'll be waiting for you here." The Doctor added.
But Darrok shook his head, "I won't be returning."
"What do you mean?" Haze asked in surprise.
"Darrok, you don't have to stay, I can take you anywhere in the universe," the Doctor pleaded, "Your world is going to die."
"Then I shall die with it. This planet is my home Doctor, I could not accept another."
"But what will you do? Surly you will still be accountable for helping us escape? Once Okdell starts communicating the hibernation plan your people will find you."
"I will not stay in the cities, I was always more at home in the jungles. I shall live out the final days there."
The Doctor put his hand on the Silurians shoulder, "In that case good bye Darrok, thank you for everything."
"Good bye Darrok." said Haze, echoing the sentiments.
Darrok turned and set out through the jungle. Once he was out of sight Haze turned to the Doctor,
"Well then, I think we have a TARDIS to fix," she started to say, but when the Doctor stood silent she added, "What's wrong?"
"Are you sure you want to keep going?" he asked solemnly.
"What do you mean, are you trying to kick me out?"
"No, of course not, it's just that....." his voice trailed off.
"Yes?"
"We ended a civilisation today Haze, nobody should have to see that."
"I understand, but that's the way it had to happen. When I first started researching aliens I met this man, a real conspiracy nut who'd been doing his own research for years. He contacted me soon after my site went live, said he admired what I was doing, believing like I did that the public had a right to know what was happening. But he also wanted to prepare me for what was out there, showing me a lot of his findings. Let me tell you, this man had seen some terrible things in his time. I'll never forget the last thing he said to me: 'The truth may not be pleasant, but I need to know what it is.' I've kept that in mind the whole time. What happened here today wasn't pleasant, but I'm not just going to go home and pretend it didn't happen, I need to keep going."
The Doctor put his arm round her shoulders and squeezed her reassuringly. She was strong, she'd be able to cope with what lay ahead, "There are terrible things out there Haze, but there are great things too, so many wonders, I have so much to show you."
"How do you do it though?" she asked, "How do you keep going?"
"Don't look back, just keep on walking."
End