Chapter 2 (Crash Landing on the Moon)
Some say that the moon used to support life millions and millions of years ago. Others say that it used to be part of another planet in the solar system that broke apart with one part becoming the moon and the other Mars. Some say that there’s a man in the moon. Some say that it’s actually an egg.
And some say that it’s just a dead, lifeless rock.
There was nothing on the TARDIS scanner to support any theories other than the last one. The Doctor and Holly stood by the console watching the dull, grey dunes – no life. Nothing.
“How boring,” said the Doctor glumly.
“Boring? It’s the moon, Doctor!” said Holly. “How can it be boring?”
“Holly,” he said, turning to face her, “you’ve visited countless different worlds. Why would the moon excite you?”
“Because,” she said, pointing to the scanner, “that’s my moon. The moon. I’ve never ever been here before.” She walked a little closer to the scanner and gazed up at it. “I used to lie out under the stars with Foxy and Roxy and gaze up at it trying to imagine what it’d be like to actually stand on it; to actually meet the man in the moon.”
“Oh, there’s no man in the moon,” said the Doctor. “In the future there are maybe Humans on the moon, but definitely no men on it now.”
“Well it’s still exciting to me,” said Holly, folding her arms.
A jet of steam erupted from underneath the console. The Doctor howled in pain and dropped to his knees, craning his neck to see under the console. “No!”
“What is it?” asked Holly, dropping to her knees and looking for the source of his worries.
“The fluid link’s gone again!”
“The fluid link?” asked Holly as they both got to their feet again. “Not that old thing again? It’s always on the blink.”
The Doctor flicked a few switches. “I knew it. I knew it!”
“Knew what?” asked Holly. “Calm down for a moment, Doctor.”
“I haven’t restocked the mercury supplies again,” he said, rubbing his forehead in frustration. “And this time I’m not fibbing. Will I never learn?”
“This time?” asked a confused Holly.
“And we’re stuck on the moon with no way of getting to any supplies.”
“Except there,” Holly said, pointing to a 3D map of the Moon. A red dot was flashing amongst a large collection of buildings.
“What in the world...?” said the Doctor, peering at it closely. “The TARDIS must be struggling to pick up the lifesigns.”
“It looks like a city,” said Holly. “On the moon!”
“Impossible,” said the Doctor. “It’s only 2006. There was a moonbase a few decades after, but not a city.”
“Well there it is,” said Holly, pointing to it again. “A full-blown city. Looks about the size of Birmingham.”
“Impossible,” said the Doctor again.
“Well instead of scratching your head and wondering how it’s possible, why don’t we suit up and get over there? We might be able to find some mercury.”
“Good idea,” said the Doctor. “Let’s go and try and work this one out.”
Tom and Louise had said their goodbyes at the party and the rest of the guests were leaving. Barbara and Ian were stood beside the door waving everyone off and Dr. Who and Susan were looking impatient beside the entrance to the study.
When the last guest had finally left Barbara shut the door and then leant against the door. “Goodness me, I’m shattered after that.”
“Well there’s no time to lose,” said Dr. Who, excitedly.
“You’re telling me,” said Ian. “Bed time I think.”
“And I need to get out of this wedding dress.”
“Tell them grandfather,” said Susan.
“You can’t go to bed because you haven’t had your present from myself and Susan yet,” said Dr. Who.
“You bought us that new car, remember?” said Ian, confused.
“Not that, lad,” said Dr. Who. He clapped his hands together gleefully. “I have received a letter from the Time Kings of Gallifrey - a planet in the far reaches of space. They want me to visit them and become one of them.”
“Well that’s great, grandfather,” said Barbara, walking over to him, “but how is that a gift for us?”
“Because I am taking the two of you there for your honeymoon.”
Ian looked a little bit worried. He always looked nervous. Ever since his first encounter with the Daleks. Even a kiss from Barbara back on the day he first set foot in the TARDIS made him nervous.
“Don’t look so worried, lad. It’ll all be okay,” said Dr. Who, as if sensing his worries.
“Grandfather,” said Barbara, “while I’m grateful for this gift from you, we already had a trip planned to Morocco.”
“Come on Barbara,” said Susan, a twinkle in her eye, “why would you go to a place on Earth when you can go to another planet?”
“And end up on a planet like Skaro again?” said Ian, stepping up, “And I do think it’s something we need to discuss.”
“Well don’t take too long,” said Dr. Who, waggling his finger at them, “we don’t have any time to lose.”
“Please say you’ll come,” said Susan.
“Let me get out of this dress and I’ll see.” She looked across to Ian. “We’ll see.”
Only thirty minutes later and they were standing on board the TARDIS. Dr. Who had done a little bit of redecorating, painting the interior a black colour and tidying away some of the loose wires and scattered equipment, but it still looked as crazy as usual.
Barbara walked in holding Ian’s hand. She had changed into a white polo-neck jumper with black leggings, whilst Ian had opted for an open-neck white shirt and suit trousers.
“It doesn’t change much, this place, does it?” said Ian, looking around him nervously.
“It’ll be fine, sweetheart,” said Barbara, tapping him on the arm.
“I’m so very glad you could both make it,” smiled Dr. Who, clapping his hands together. “I promise you we’ll go straight there. No detours.”
“And what exactly is it you have to do when you get there?” asked Ian.
“Well I expect I will have to pass some tests, so you two can enjoy a good few days resting and relaxing whilst I’m put through my paces.”
He activated a few switches and then went to a large, red lever set in the centre of the room. He pushed down on it and the lights dimmed to signify the TARDIS was in flight.
“Here we go again,” said Ian, ominously, remembering the last time he was in the ship and trying to fight off a hoard of Roman centurions.
“Do you know anything about these Time Kings?” asked Barbara, settling herself down on a fold-out chair beside the lever.
“Nothing at all I’m afraid. I’ve heard a few legends, but nothing concrete. They live at the end of time in giant, crystal castles.”
“And they watch over everyone, making sure everyone obeys the laws of time,” said Susan.
“So you do know quite a bit about them then?” laughed Barbara.
“Well, we’ve done our research, haven’t we, Susie?” said Dr. Who giving the girl a little hug.
Ian had his arms folded. “As long as we’re straight there and straight back I -”
As if to stop Ian from saying anymore the TARDIS lurched to the side and the four occupants were thrown in different directions. The lights flickered out and Barbara screamed. Dr. Who dragged himself across the floor and reached out for the red lever. He pulled himself up onto his knees with great difficulty (his legs were definitely failing in his old age) and switched the lever into its former position.
With a thud the TARDIS came to a stop and the lights slowly flickered back on.
“Is everybody alright?” asked Dr. Who.
“Fine, grandfather,” said Susan.
“Alright over here,” came Ian’s voice. “Barbara too.”
“What happened?” asked Barbara.
“I’m afraid I have no idea. It’s as if we were dragged off course,” said Dr. Who getting to his feet and checking the readings. “Most exciting!”
“What is it?” asked Susan. “Are we on Gallifrey?”
“No,” said Dr. Who, a twinkle in his eye.
“Why am I not surprised?” said Ian, leaning against the doors and giving a knowing smile.
“We’re in the year 2006.”
“The future!” said Barbara.
“More precisely – the moon!”
“Lunar City Alpha,” said Susan, looking at the readings. “It looks like a giant, man-made city for Humans to live on.”
“Can we go and have a look around?” asked Barbara.
With that the doors swung open and Ian, his back still against them, fell backwards out of the TARDIS.
“Ian!” said Barbara, rushing to his side.
The TARDIS was sat in the centre of a large area. Crowds of people hustled and bustled past it. It was a huge, open-area in a dome-like room with beams and arches stretching up to the domed roof. Large, curved windows occupied intermittent panels along the walls looking out on the lunar landscape. Spiral staircases and glass lifts led up from the perimeter of the area giving access to other floors, gantries and doorways to other sections of the city.
Dotted around the area were various market stalls and booths. To all intents and purposes this was a market place.
Barbara helped Ian to his feet as they were joined by Dr. Who and Susan, who looked around in wonder.
“Well,” said Barbara, “it’s not the planet of the Time Kings, but it’ll do,” she smiled, giving her grandfather a hug.
Somewhere, not far away, an object had entered the solar system. A large, blue, white and green planet moving, inexplicably, towards Earth. And on the planet cold, dead eyes watched for signs of life. Signs of technology.
They were coming.
To be continued...
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