Prologue

The TARDIS was travelling through space. The Doctor was preparing to leave by shuttlecraft for Pentarus Five, where he had been asked to mediate a dispute among the salenite miners – a contentious group unfortunately prone to violence. At the same time, he was dealing with a situation of a far personal nature.

Ace came bursting in through the door from the corridor, out of breath and a little anxious. The Doctor and Nita looked at her, startled.

"Ace, I asked you to come almost ten minutes ago!"

"Yes, Professor, I know, but I was in the middle of an experiment using some volatile compounds and I couldn't just leave them lying out-"

"Excuses, Ace?"

"No, Professor, not at all, it was more of an explanation-"

"Because I assure you that will not go over well at the Timelord Academy."

"I know, Professor, but-"

Then it sunk in. She stared at the Doctor. "The Academy?"

"I just got the message from President Romana. She expects you to report in two weeks."

There were smiles all around as Ace, nonplussed, realized what the Doctor was saying.

"A position has opened up in the latest class. You'll have to work overtime to catch up, but I have assured the President that you will be capable of that. Please don't make a liar of me."

"Oh, yes Professor! I mean – no, Professor."

"And as your final adventure aboard the TARDIS… I'd like you to accompany me to Pentarus while I try to sort things out with the miners."

Ace was amazed – first the Academy, and now an expedition with the Doctor. "Yes, Professor…"

"Nita tells me you've been studying the effects of outpost judiciary decisions on Galactic Law. What better way to get first-hand experience?"

"Doctor, I'm picking up a general distress signal from Gamelan Five."

"On screen."

They all turned toward the view screen. An alien woman appeared – a gentle, sensitive creature who spoke with quiet desperation. "Please… Does anyone read us?"

"Open channel." To screen… "I am the Doctor."

"Doctor… I am Chairman Hamilton, of Gamelan Four. An unidentified spacecraft has entered orbit above our planet. Radiation levels in our atmosphere have increased by three thousand percent. We can only assume we are under attack – but the ship will not answer our hails! We are a peaceful planet… we have no ability to defend ourselves. Please, can you help us?"

"Ace, are we close enough for a scan?"

"No, we're out of range."

"Any other ships near that system?"

"No, Nita."

"Very well. Chairman Hamilton, we will proceed immediately to your planet."

"Thank you, Doctor…"

The screen blinked out. The Doctor considered the logistics. "Nita, take the TARDIS and investigate the problem. Ace and I will proceed to Pentarus Five. The miners have sent a shuttle. We'll depart in ten minutes."

Ace acknowledged, headed for the door.

Later, Ace emerged from the miners' shuttle – a small, ragged vessel that looked like the space equivalent of "The African Queen". Its pilot, Tate, was a tough-looking humanoid who is weathered and worn enough to suggest middle-age. Though his appearance was feral, he was an intelligent, if inflexible, being. Ultimately, he was self-serving; Tate looked out for Tate, because he'd always had to.

"Your maneuvering thrusters are rigged in a configuration I haven't seen before."

Tate gave her a smug look. "My own modification. It's more efficient. You can study it if you want…"

At this point, the Doctor entered.

"I've run operational and safety inspections, Professor. It checks out. I won't make any claims for comfort."

Tate approached the Doctor, sizing him up as he did. "Doctor… Captain Tate, of the shuttlecraft "Nenebek"."

"Ah – Captain. Good to meet you."

'Captain? Of a mining shuttle?' asked herself quietly.

But Tate heard her, turned instantly to her. "Yes, miss – Captain. My ship isn't pretty, and she isn't big – but we've logged almost ten thousand hours together."

"It seems a very – sturdy – craft."

"We should go. Will you take Ops, Doctor?"

"I'll let Miss McShane perform that task. I need to study up on Regalian law."

Tate studied Ace with obvious disdain as they entered.

Back on the TARDIS, Nita heard Ace's com voice. "Ace to TARDIS…"

"Go ahead, Ace."

"Shuttlecraft Nenebek prepared for departure."

"Acknowledged, Ace. Begin launch sequence."

"Launch sequence confirmed…"

The shuttlecraft cleared the bay.

Nita set the co-ordinates for the Gamelan system… and dematerialized into the vortex.

Meanwhile, the shuttle craft headed toward Regalus. Tate eyed Ace handling the Ops position with some surprise. "You've done this before."

"Yes…"

Tate jerked his head toward the cabin. "If your Doctor isn't tougher than he looks, those miners will tear him apart."

"Don't worry about the Doctor – he'll handle them."

Suddenly they were interrupted by a sudden muffled explosion and violent shake of the craft, which then settled into a constant vibration. Cabin lights dimmed; control panels flickered.

"I've lost navigation- "

"The port thruster quad is gone, guidance coupling is severed – I can't stabilize her!"

The shuttle bucked and pitched as Tate and Ace struggled for control.