PROLOGUE
The TARDIS spun through the time vortex.
Two Earth days previously, Starbase Five-one-four had lost contact with the research vessel Vico, which was sent to explore the interior of a Black Cluster. The Doctor was en route to investigate.
In the TARDIS control room, the Doctor, Nita, and Carolyn were at the console.
"Doctor, we are entering sector nine-seven."
"I am picking up massive gravitational fluctuations," said the Doctor. "Take us out of the vortex, Carolyn."
"Yes, Doctor." Carolyn touched the panel.
"The Black Cluster is in visual range."
"On screen."
"Ok, Doctor."
Everyone reacted to the awesome spectacle. A huge, black bending of space, seemingly an immense lens-like cloud, dotted throughout by tiny pulsars – miniature stars that blinked on and off like lighthouses or fireflies.
"Let's find that ship. Should I do a full sensor sweep, Doctor?"
"Yes, Nita."
Nita indicated the cluster. "It's quite a sight."
The Doctor nodded. "One of the most ancient formations in this galaxy." He looked up. "I have located the Vico. The vessel appears to be adrift."
"Can we see it?"
The Doctor touched the console.
The screen image shifted, and was replaced by a closer view: a mid-sized spacecraft, its hull sheared off in several places, hanging motionless against the starry background.
Everyone reacted to the sight.
"Life signs – nothing. What's the damage, Doctor?"
The Doctor looked at his instruments. "The outer and inner hulls have been breached. Decks seven through twelve are exposed to space."
"Can we set up a translink to their computer core to see what happened?"
The Doctor tried a few commands. "I can't. The emergency bulkheads on that deck are in place. Our linkup signal can't penetrate them. I'll check the structural status." He hit a few controls on the console, looked at the results. "Stress readings indicate considerable pressure on the transverse supports. I wonder if it's stable enough for a visit?" He checks his instruments. "Yes. But the risk of structural collapse is high. Nita, someone needs to stay on the TARDIS to be ready to materialize around the team. I want to be out of there at the first sign of trouble."
"Ok, Doctor." Nita headed for the door. "Let's go."
The Doctor followed her.
The TARDIS had materialized aboard the Vico. Nita, the Doctor, and Michelle stepped out into a corridor-like chamber that had a couple of science consoles and small monitors against the wall. The Doctor was carrying a small suitcase-sized, boxlike device. The corridor had been heavily damaged.
Support beams were crashed through the ceiling, wall panels were exposed – it looked like one false step would bring it all crashing down. When the team moved, it was with great caution and awareness of their treacherous surroundings. They simultaneously spotted a couple of bodies partially exposed beneath the rubble. The Doctor took out his sonic screwdriver and aimed it toward the bodies – but it only confirmed what they already knew. The team exchanged glances.
Upon seeing the consoles, the Doctor and Michelle started toward them – suddenly a structural member shifted in the wall. The team froze. There was a metallic groan, a slight shake. And everything was again still. The Doctor and Michelle again headed for the consoles. One monitor was dead. The other was lit up, flickering, displaying a computer graphic of a graviton wave field. They touched the controls on both panels but nothing changed.
"This station is inoperable."
"This one's stuck in a feedback loop."
"Let's try to tap directly into the computer core."
"There should be an ODN junction along here somewhere…"
They all started scanning the area. Michelle spotted a promising panel against the wall. "This looks like a good possibility…" She reached down to take hold of the panel.
"Careful, Michelle. You don't want to pull out the wrong brick…"
Carefully, Michelle removed the panel – revealing the fiber optic trunk within.
"Doctor."
The Doctor brought over the device. Set it a metre in front of the ODN trunk and touched a control.
A laser type beam shot out of the box, connecting to the trunk. The Doctor tweaked the controls and the beam changed colour. "Core transfer is engaged."
Michelle looked at the instrumentation on the device. "Exchange protocol verified." She took a reading. "The files seem to be intact. Some of them, anyway."
There was a weak voice. "Is somebody there…?"
All three reacted. Nita indicated the transfer device to Michelle. "Stay here. Doctor…" She motioned 'follow me' with her head. Nita and the Doctor cautiously moved to the end of the damaged corridor and around the corner into the science chamber where they found a boy of about ten. He was trapped beneath a fallen bulkhead in an even more heavily damaged area. He looked up at the Doctor and Nita with panic on his face. "Are my parents alright?"
