Doctor Who_ Full Circle - Andrew Smith [2]
The giants leave the swamp
The Marshmen walk the world
The forestlands they haunt
When Mistfall comes
The planet that has slept
Awakes, unleashing terror
Bringing death if you forget
First Decider Yanek Pitrus,
Tenth generation starliner
1
'I Have Lost Control of the TARDIS'
A Time Lord summons cannot be ignored.
Romana repeated this to herself time and again, but it didn't help. The last thing she wanted was to return to her home planet of Gallifrey. She knew that if she did she would never again be able to experience the freedom she had so much enjoyed in the company of the Doctor.
The summons had been abrupt, explaining nothing. Romana sensed she knew the reason for it - at least in part. She was the reason. She felt this with a certainty that made her deeply melancholy.
It was not just freedom that the Doctor offered. It was adventure. It was wonderment. It was, ultimately, a new and deeper wisdom.
She watched him now as he manoeuvred a bewildering array of complicated instruments on one of the six facets of the TARDIS's main control console.
The Doctor and Romana had become very close in the time they had known one another, and yet he remained an enigma to her. Of one thing she was certain - he was not so confident and all-knowing as he frequently liked to suggest he was.
Would she see him again after Gallifrey? The face was at once immensely cheerful and yet tinged with the sadness of one who has known too many people for too short a time.
The lines on his face were deep, each one relating a story to her. She would miss him.
And K9, too. The computer constructed in the shape of a dog had accompanied her on a great many adventures. She had always found it very easy to think of K9 as more than a machine, rather as an individual, a friend.
'Are you ready, K9?' the Doctor wanted to know as he completed the preparatory adjustments of the control console.
'Master,' K9's shrill metallic voice confirmed.
'Right,' said the Doctor, crouching by the computer, 'I want you to set a course for binary co-ordinates ten zero eleven zero zero by zero two from galactic zero centre.'
The co-ordinates for Gallifrey! Romana turned away so that the Doctor would not see her lips tremble.
K9's antenna telescoped out towards the console. A moment passed, then, 'Co-ordinates laid in. Spatial drive initiated.' The console's central column began rising and falling, indicating they were in flight.
'Well done, K9,' said the Doctor. He looked vaguely in Romana's direction. 'Now we can be on our way.'
'You've made up your mind, then?'
The significance of her remark went straight past the Doctor. He rose, smiling, and headed for his coat and scarf on the nearby hatstand. 'You don't ignore a summons to Gallifrey.'
A Time Lord summons cannot be ignored.
As the Doctor clambered into his heavy burgundy coat, his back to Romana, he said enthusiastically, 'I'm looking forward to seeing how Leela and Andred are getting on. And you'll be able to meet your twin, K9.'
Leela was one of the Doctor's earlier companions, left behind on Gallifrey after a previous visit when she had fallen in love with Andred, a young Commander in the Chancellery Guard. K9's predecessor had been left with her for company.
Memories of Leela prompted a wide smile on the Doctor's face which faded as he turned and saw he was alone with K9 - the door to the corridor outside the control room stood ajar.
'Romana?' he called worriedly. When there was no reply he moved towards the door, draping his scarf over his shoulders. 'Stay here, K9. You're in charge.'
'Master.'
The Doctor found Romana lying on her bed in her ornate quarters. The door was open and he paused for a moment at the threshold, regarding her solemnly. Her head moved very slightly to one side, then back again. She knew he was there.
The Doctor was astute enough to guess what was wrong. 'Do you mind if I come in?' he asked, and gave what he hoped would be an encouraging smile.
'The Time Lords want me back.'
So he was right. Not quite knowing what move to make, the Doctor entered