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By Root 298 0

particular merits of the circuit, but in such complex terms she never understood its function. The last time she had experienced such a form of over-complicated explanation was when she was dating a first-year engineering student at college. Then she had put his lack of intelligibility down to the the fact that the only language he spoke was jargonese. Later she was to learn that Chuck (for that was his name) when asked about the function of a particular machine would instead explain how it worked. Therefore, to him, an aeroplane was all about the ratio of weight to engine thrust or the complex structure of a turbine blade. A simple answer – ‘An aeroplane is a powered machine that can fly’ – seemed beyond him.

The Time Lord cleared his throat and gazed down at his American companion. ‘Well,’ he said, in his best pedagogic voice, ‘the TARDIS, when working properly, is capable, not unlike myself, of many amazing things.’ He paused only to clear the excessive arrogance from his throat. ‘One of its many functions is that it can change shape to blend perfectly with its surrounding environment – hence the term chameleon circuit!’

Although having worked that much out for herself, Peri was grateful for the brevity of the description. Deciding that all men were incapable of explaining simple mechanics, she indicated the chaos in the corridor. ‘Are you sure you’re up to such complex work?’ She prodded a nearby component with the toe of her shoe. ‘I mean, you’ve only recently regenerated.’

‘Capable?’ His tone had become stern. ‘And what makes you think I’m not?’

Determined not to be cowed by his overbearing manner she stared directly into his face. ‘Well, to be perfectly honest, you still seem a little unstable.’

With hands held firmly behind his back, the Doctor began to pace up and down. ‘Unstable?’ he mused, trying to sound like some discriminating lexicographer pondering the meaning of the word. ‘Unstable,’ he repeated, this time his tone tinged with anger. ‘UNSTABLE!’ His voice boomed and echoed with hurt resonance. ‘This is ME, Peri! At this very moment I am as STABLE as I shall ever be!’

Timidly she backed away. ‘Is th-that so?’ She stuttered.

‘Then you can let me out of the TARDIS right now, because I am not putting up with any more of your tantrums.’

If the Doctor heard her demands he didn’t respond.

Instead he launched into a new barrage of empty rhetoric.

‘You must forget how I used to be! I am a Time Lord, a man of science, of temperament and certainly passion!

Surely you understand that?’

She did. But her argument was that she could no longer put up with the shouting and posturing that had become part of his personality.

‘Listen, Peri...’ The Doctor was now calmer. ‘Inside, I am a peaceful person... Perhaps on occasion,’ he demurred,

‘I can be all noise and bluster.’ Gently he took her arm.

‘But it is only bluster... You’ve nothing to fear. You’re quite safe.’ The Doctor looked baleful. ‘You will stay?’

Peri thought hard. She didn’t want to leave in a moment of anger and spend the rest of her life regretting her decision. Yet if she were to stay, things would have to change. ‘All right,’ she said at last, ‘but there are conditions.’

The Doctor was delighted. ‘Anything you say!’ Gleefully he grabbed her hands and twirled her around. ‘And to cement our new understanding, we shall start by taking a surprise holiday!’

Dizzily Peri watched as he sped off down the corridor towards the console room. ‘But we haven’t discussed the proviso for my staying.’

‘I agree to everything!’ he called over his shoulder.

Dodging the electronic clutter, and knowing she was being patronised, a worried Peri followed. Not only was she concerned that little in his attitude would change, but that the last time he had arranged a surprise visit, they had spent a week frozen in the heart of a glacier on the planet Vespod Eight. It was an experience she was not keen to repeat.

As she entered the console room, Peri could see the Time Lord scurrying around setting the navigational co-ordinates. ‘Where precisely are we going?’

‘To