(AN) Hello and welcome to my brand new Doctor Who fanfiction, which is based on the popular webseries What If Doctor Who Wasn't Axed by DaDoctorWhoFan: a very detailed series exploring an alternate timeline where Doctor Who wasn't axed in 1989 and kept on going.
This story will serve as a fan novelisation of Season 27. I initially did two previous unofficial fan novelisations of stories in this series, but I've decided to go back to the beginning as it makes more sense and won't be as confusing to those who've never seen the series. But, I will keep the stories up, as even if I rewrote them, they'd just be the same. Season 49 will be continuing, but it will only be the first half, plus one extra episode.
In the WIDWWA timeline, the production order for Season 26 is the chronological order the stories happen in.
I have the full blessing of DaDoctorWhoFan to write this.
Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who; all characters and locations are owned by the BBC; What If Doctor Who Wasn't Axed is owned by DaDoctorWhoFan.
What If Doctor Who Wasn't Axed: Season 27
Earth Aid, Part One
In the black void of space, a large vessel was slowly drifting by. It was silver in colour and had blue flames coming out the back. A large red cross was emblazoned on the side. This was the Space Vessel Vancouver: an aid vessel that was part of an organisation known as Earth Aid.
The Vancouver's bridge was a hive of activity: various crew members were either stationed at control consoles or bustling about. All crew members were wearing pewter-grey uniforms with a small Earth Aid emblem on the side.
Ace McShane, companion of the Seventh Doctor swivelled round in the command chair to face the rest of the crew. She was wearing the same uniform as everybody else and she had let her hair down. "Uh, status update." she said, sounding a bit unsure of herself.
"One of the crew members turned to face her and two other crew members: a man in his fifties with short, ginger hair with bits of grey and a young woman with short, light-brown hair; these were Yanikov and Shepstay respectively.
"Captain, Shepstay, Yanikov, we have arrived at the Lilliput," informed the crew member, "Once we've collected the grain, we'll soon reach our destination."
"Excellent, steady as she goes then." said Ace, who quickly became aware of the bewildered expressions her fellow crew members were giving her, "The ship, I mean … don't rush getting to the planet, just uh, keep a steady pace."
The crew continued to stare at Ace in bewilderment for several moments before going back to their work.
The Vancouver slowly approached a somewhat smaller vessel. In the distance, what appeared to be a small battle ship was also approaching. Orange flames were coming out of the back.
Back on the bridge, Yanikov looked at a radar screen on his control console. An orange light had started blinking in time with a beeping noise. The orange dot was slowly heading towards the other orange dot that was the Lilliput. "Unidentified craft approaching the Lilliput, Captain." he said as he turned to face Ace.
"Is it friendly or hostile?" asked Ace in concern.
"Too early to tell," replied Yanikov, "What should we do?"
"Uhhhh … t-try to establish contact and see what they want," suggested Ace nervously, "If they don't respond, then try to contact the Lilliput and warn them that they might be in danger."
"Afirmative, Captain." replied another male crew member.
The second crew member put on a headset and pressed a few buttons; the console emitting a few beeping noises. The crew member then began speaking into a small microphone. "Occupant of unidentified craft, this is Vancouver comms, you are approaching one of our vessels: please identify yourself and state your intent."
The crew waited for a response, but all they could hear was faint static.
"Occupant of unidentified craft, this is Vancouver comms, you are approaching one of our vessels: please identify yourself and state your intent." repeated the crew member.
The crew waited once again, but all that was heard for the next few moments was static.
"Contact the Lilliput and let them know what the current situation is." ordered Ace.
The crew member changed frequences to the Lilliput and tried contacting them. "Lilliput, Lilliput, this is Vancouver comms: please be advised that an unidentified craft of unknown origin is approaching you; do you read me; over."
Everybody on the bridge began to feel uneasy as they heard nothing but static.
"No response," said Shepstay nervously before turning to Ace, "What do we do now, Ma'm."
"Keep trying to get in contact with the Lilliput," said Ace, "If you can't get in contact with the Lilliput, then send me and the medical officer with a boarding party in order to investigate. If the mystery ship starts attacking, then fire back at it. Shepstay, you have the bridge. If anybody needs me, I'll be in my quarters."
"Aye aye, Ma'm." said Shepstay.
Ace got up and exited the bridge.
Outside in the corridor, the Doctor was waiting patiently for Ace. The Time Lord grinned as he saw Ace approaching, though he noted to himself that she looked quite grumpy.
"Ahhh, finished already." said the Doctor cheerfully.
"I'm finished alright," muttered Ace darkly, "We've reached the Lilliput, but there's a mysterious craft heading for it and neither it or anybody from the Lilliput will respond to communications."
"Ahhh, so we have a bit of a mystery on our hands." said the Doctor curiously, "This should be a good test of your skills."
"More like a good chance for me to humiliate myself," snarked Ace grumpily, "My quarters, now."
"Yes, Captain." teased the Doctor as he followed Ace.
Ace and the Doctor entered Ace's quarters. Ace's usual attire had been flung on to the bed in a heap. The TARDIS stood in a corner of the room.
"I told you, this isn't going to work!" argued Ace as she whirled round to face the Doctor.
"Oh come now," said the Doctor, smiling slightly, "What makes you think that?"
"Because they can clearly see me for exactly who I am: some prawn who doesn't have a clue what she's doing and is completely out of her depth."
"I think you're exaggerating." suggested the Doctor.
"Am not." retorted Ace.
"Exaggerating or overthinking." remarked the Doctor.
"That Yanikov's the worst though," pointed out Ace, "I can tell just from the way he looks at me that he's got it in for me."
The Doctor and Ace sat down at the table and began eating and drinking the scones and tea respectively.
"Well, this will be a good last meal before they throw me in chains," sighed Ace before taking another bite of her scone, "or whatever they do to people who impersonate starship captains."
"Throw you in irons." replied the Doctor.
"Sorry?" said Ace.
"Throw you in irons is I believe the expression." explained the Doctor.
"Honestly, I think this time we've bitten off far more than we can chew this time, Professor." said Ace.
"Nonsense, we're situated exactly where we need to be." said the Doctor.
"I don't think I can stand waiting." remarked Ace.
"We're very nearly at our destination," stated the Doctor, "If anything is going to happen, we'll be ready and waiting. Thankfully, the crew thinks that you're the new captain and that I'm the new medical officer."
"For now anyway." muttered Ace.
"And rrrrremember, this is meant to be an educational exercise to teach you responsibility." stated the Doctor.
"I know." muttered Ace.
"What are you planning to do if there's still no response from the Lilliput?" asked the Doctor curiously.
"I've said that you and I are to go with a boarding party to investigate." replied Ace.
"Ahhh, I assume this party will be led by the trigger happy lieutenant?" questioned the Doctor.
"She's not that bad." retorted Ace.
"You just like her because of your shared interest in high-grade explosives." remarked the Doctor.
"Okay, there is that," admitted Ace, "But, she's also one of the few crew members that actually trusts me."
Over on the bridge, Yanikov stopped what he was doing and turned to face Shepstay. "Steady as she goes." he scoffed.
"What?" asked Shepstay as she turned to face Yanikov.
"Steady as she goes, that's what the captain said," pointed out Yanikov, "What sort of captain says that!"
"Every captain has their own style." sighed Shepstay, who really didn't see what the problem was.
"But it's like she heard it in a story about a starship," argued Yanikov, "Plus, what is she, like twelve!"
"Yanikov, you know there's an old saying that you know you're getting older when the captains start looking younger." sighed Shepstay.
"I know, I know, but it's just strange," said Yanikov, "We know nothing about her or the new medical officer and we're just expected to trust them!"
"Just be thankful we've got a captain." retorted Shepstay.
A small orange light began blinking on Yanikov's console. Yanikov turned and his eyes widened as he saw two orange lights emerge from the dot on the radar that was the unidentified ship, the lights colides with the dot that was the Lilliput. "Unidentified craft has fired on the Lilliput!" he cried in alarm.
"Fire a warning shot!" ordered Shepstay before turning to the crew member with the headset, "Have you been able to raise anybody on the Lilliput!"
"Negative, Ma'm." replied the man.
"Right, contact Lieutenant Baraki and get her to prepare a boarding party!" barked Shepstay to another crew member, "I'll contact the captain and update her on the situation."
After the Doctor and Ace had been updated, they went to join Lieutenant Baraki and the rest of the boarding party. They took a small, pewter-grey shuttle that soon landed in the launch bay of the Lilliput.
The loading ramp of the shuttle lowered and a young woman with short, dark brown hair that was parted in the middle stepped out. She was dressed in black, futuristic looking military armour. A futuristic looking gun was in her holster. Six similarly dressed and armed people followed her out of the shuttle, followed by the Doctor and Ace.
Everybody else stood in a straight line, while Baraki stood in front of them. "Right, here is the current situation," she began, "Firstly, the crew of the Vancouver have been unable to make contact with anybody on board the Lilliput, so it's our job to search this ship and figure out what's happened. Secondly, an unidentified craft fired upon the Lilliput: it's my firm belief that the unknown occupants are hostile and have some connection to why nobody has responded to the Vancouver's attempts at contact, so be ready to use your weapons if necessary."
"I really don't think there's any need for violence." piped up the Doctor.
"Sorry, Doctor?" replied the lieutenant.
"All I'm trying to say is that we can't be certain that these aliens are hostile," explained the Doctor, "You could at least try talking to them first."
"Captain, please kindly remind the Doctor that it is not his job to say what my troops should or should not be doing?" asked Baraki sternly.
"Yes, Doctor, belay that immediately." scolded Ace sternly while trying not to smirk.
"Aye aye, Captain." replied the Doctor sheepishly.
"Captain, what are your orders?" asked the lieutenant.
"Uhhh, right," began Ace nervously before clearing her throat, "I suggest that we all split up: this is a big ship, so if we split into different groups, we can cover more ground. Me and the Doctor will take the rear of the ship, Baraki, you take some of your troops to the front, and the remaining troops will take the east and west sides of the ship."
"Aye aye, Captain." replied Baraki.
The group exited the hanger and split up: Baraki took two troops in a northern direction, while the other pairs went east and west, leaving just the Doctor and Ace.
The Doctor and Ace entered the banquite area, which was completely deserted. A verity of food was still laid out on the tables. The Doctor walked over to one of the tables and rested his hand on some rice, which was still warm, he then leaned in and sniffed it. "Mmmm, the food here is still warm," he pointed out, "The crew must've been forced to leave in a hurry when whatever happened happened."
"It's all warm," muttered Ace in a worried sounding voice.
Ace took out her communicator as it began beeping. It resembled a black, futuristic walkie talkie.
"Have you and the Doctor found anything yet?" came Baraki's voice.
"Negative, Lieutenant," replied Ace, "The food in the banquet area's been left untouched. Has anybody else found anything?"
"As a matter of fact, we have," answered Baraki, "Somebody is using the shower, do you want us to investigate?"
"N-no, that's fine, I'll do it." replied Ace while blushing slightly.
"Understood." said the lieutenant.
After finishing, Ace pocketed the communicator.
The Doctor and Ace entered the shower area and almost slipped in a large puddle of water. The two slowly walked through the area and saw that one of the showers was still running.
"What on earth happened here?" asked Ace, "I mean, it's a bit silly to leave the shower on unless you had no choice: I feel for whoever was taking the shower; imagine having to run from something while … well, you know."
"Or someone," replied the Doctor, "I believe that whatever is happening here has something to do with that mysterious ship."
Ace took her communicator out as it made beeping noises. "Lieutenant." she said.
"Captain, we've just discovered a crew member using a rowing machine in the gym area," informed Baraki, "Did you find anybody in the showers?"
"No, but they left the shower on." said Ace, who was trying hard not to laugh, "We'll be over in a minute: over and out."
"Over and out." repeated Baraki.
Ace ended the call and put her comminicator away. The Doctor walked over and turned the shower off; getting a small soaking in the process.
"Don't say a word." muttered the Doctor as Ace desperately tried to hold back her laughter.
After finding a machine that dried him off, the Doctor and Ace made their way to the gym area, where they met with Baraki and her troops. A young man with dark skin and short black hair was using one of the rowing machines while singing an old rowing song. His uniform was identical to Ace's.
"Is he a member of the crew?" asked Ace quietly.
"Yes," replied Baraki, "Crew records show that this is Victor Espinosa: he's in charge of storing the cargo on the Lilliput."
"How's he not vanished and all then?" asked a confused Ace.
"Perhaps they didn't see him as important enough," suggested the Doctor, "But instead of speculating behind his back, why don't we go ask him ourselves?"
And with that, the Doctor walked over to Victor and tapped him on the shoulder. Victor stopped singing, stopped the machine and looked at the Doctor in surprise. "Who are you?" he asked in surprise.
"I'm the Doctor," replied the Doctor, "I'm a medical officer with the Vancouver, and these lovely people behind me arrrrre also from the Vancouver."
"So, why are you all here and not collecting the grain?" questioned a confused Victor.
"Because everybody has vanished and there's a mysterious ship near the Lilliput," answered a confused Ace as she walked over, "Can you tell us what happened to the crew?"
"It was too horrible," replied Victor in a terrified voice as a look of fear crossed his face, "P-please, don't make me remember."
"Nobody is going to force you to do anything you don't want to do," assured the Doctor, "We just want to know what's happened."
"I can take you to the armoury," said Victor as he got off the machine and wiped his face with a towel, "That's where it all started."
Everybody simply nodded in agreement.
Victor then began to put his uniform back on.
Unfortunately, taking Victor to the armoury proved to be a big mistake. As soon as they arrived, Victor grabbed a gun off of a rack and began firing on them. The Doctor, Ace and Baraki were currently hiding behind a weapons rack.
"This is exactly why I lead these missions, Doctor!" hissed Baraki, "Victor was clearly leading us into a trap!"
"Oh, come now, Lieutenant, even you couldn't have figured out that it was a trap," insisted the Doctor before briefly poking his head round the corner, only to pull back when a red laser beam came flying towards him, "Victor, it won't do you any good to keep firing on us! Just surrender now!"
"NO!" yelled Victor in a manic tone of voice, "I need this gun in order to survive!"
"I swear, nobody will hurt you as long as we're here!" promised the Doctor, "Just put the gun down!"
"Not a chance!" retorted Victor, "Those things might come back!"
"Why don't we try shooting the gun out of his hand?" suggested Ace.
"How are we meant to do that?" questioned a confused Baraki.
"Keep Victor talking, I'm going to try and find an air duct that'll allow me to get behind him."
"Good idea." said the Doctor.
The Doctor and Baraki leapt out from behind the rack and whistled to Victor, who fired his gun, narrowly missing the two.
"Espinosa, surrender quietly!" ordered Baraki firmly.
"Just leave me here!" retorted Victor.
"We can't just leave you here," piped up the Doctor, "You hold the key to the crew's dissapearance."
"I don't know anything!" snapped Victor.
The Doctor and Baraki suddenly heard what sounded like an energy weapon discharging, followed by Victor screaming in agony. The two ran over and saw Ace standing over Victor, aiming a gun at him. Victor was lying on the floor while clutching his now charred hand and groaning in pain. Baraki pulled the man up by the shoulder, slammed him into the wall and handcuffed him.
"That was a bit excessive, don't you think?" said the Doctor.
"This is my mission, Doctor, not yours!" snapped Baraki as she began leading Victor away.
Ace began to follow, but the Doctor grabbed the gun and threw it aside. Ace looked slightly disappointed.
A bit later, the Doctor, Ace and Victor were in the sickbay. Victor was sitting on a bed, while the Doctor was bandaged up his hand.
"I acted in self-defence," insisted Victor before wincing slightly, "You might've been with them."
"And who exactly is them?" asked the Doctor curiously as he finished bandaging the hand.
"I-I don't want to say … i-it's too horrifying," explained Victor in a terrified manner, "P-please, don't ask me to talk about it."
"I won't force you to talk about it." assured the Doctor.
Baraki entered the sickbay. "Doctor, I need to speak to you, alone!" she barked as she came to stand in front of the Time Lord.
"Rrrrrright you are, Lieutenant." said the Doctor as he followed her out of the sickbay.
"Doctor, Baraki," called out Ace, causing the two to reenter the sickbay, "I'm going to head back to the Vancouver to help keep an eye on the mystery ship; keep me updated."
The two nodded in understanding.
"There's an autopilot system on the ship we came in that will bring it back to the Lilliput."
Outside in the corridor, Baraki turned to face the Doctor. "Do you believe Espinosa's story?" she asked.
"I believe that he wasn't responsible for his fellow crew members vanishing, but I suspect that he knows far more than he's letting on." replied the Doctor.
"Have you discovered anything else about his role on the Lilliput?" questioned Baraki.
"Only what you know: he manages the grain supply and agricultural machinery for the various planets," informed the Doctor, "But I did discover something quite interesting: while there was only an order for five containers of machinery, Victor arrived with six."
Baraki looked at the Doctor in surprise. "It's possible that that mystery container holds the key to whatever happened here: we must investigate." she said.
"Well, now we'rrre agreeing on something." smirked the Doctor.
"Don't get used to it." huffed Baraki.
Soon after getting a cutting torch, Baraki and the Doctor arrived at the mystery container. Baraki was currently using the cutting tool to cut through the door.
"We must be extra cautious when we enter," warned Baraki, "There could be booby traps."
Baraki finished cutting through the door and stepped back just as the door fell to the floor. Baraki slowly entered, followed by the Doctor. As the two looked around, they noticed remains of consumed food and scratch marks on the wall.
"Was somebody in here?" asked a surprised Baraki.
"Someone or something has definitely been in here," replied the Doctor gravely, "But whatever it was, it's not here now."
(AN) And that concludes this first chapter of What If Doctor Who Wasn't Axed: Season 27; I hope you enjoyed it.
Next time: the mystery deepens and Ace is put to the test as captain of the Vancouver
Until the next time, this is TimeLordMaster108 signing out.