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‘For century upon century the Doctor has been involved in some of the most important events of this galaxy. Since before the space era he has been cropping up in times of crisis and then vanishing again. He has been in combat with Daleks and Cybermen, has been responsible for some of the most astonishing rescues. Those of you who followed the Coralee disaster last year may not know that it was the Doctor who was responsible for its successful resolution. Those of you with an interest in history may find references to him stretching back years, on dozens of planets.’

Treeb grunted. ‘Preposterous.’

‘No, Governor, not preposterous. Magnificent. A time traveller, from a race about which we know practically nothing. A hero of mythical proportions.’

‘And you’re telling me that he’s agreed to star in one of our shows?’

Lukos pursed his lips. ‘Agreed may be a bit strong.’

‘What have you got in mind, Vogol?’

Saarl was looking at him through narrowed eyes. Lukos’s lips twitched into a smirk of satisfaction. Saarl was worried.

He could see the potential of this show. See himself dropping down the pecking order

Lukos returned to his seat.

‘Along with our new clients we have engineered a scenario which the Doctor will find irresistible, an adventure of our own devising. We intend transmitting live every cunning plan, every failure, every twist and turn that we can put him through. Exclusive coverage of one of the most mysterious men ever to have lived, and only on Channel 400!’

Lukos sat back, watching the faces of the old men as they chattered amongst themselves. Mentally he was receiving his award. Best performance in a boardroom drama. He glanced across at Saarl. The presenter was chewing at his nails. Good.

It would be useful to have a hold over Saarl for once. His show might be popular, but the Doctor was going to show him just what popular meant.

The harsh ring of an intercom interrupted Lukos’s musing.

He snatched up the handset irritably. ‘Yes?’

His face cracked into a broad grin.

‘Gentlemen. If you care to look at the screen, you will get your first glimpse of our new star.’

All heads turned to look at the vast screen hovering behind Lukos. There was a brief shimmer of static and then they were looking out past the main gate of the Channel 400 building at a diminutive figure standing in the rain.

Lukos stabbed at a control and the viewfinder zoomed in until the Doctor filled the screen. He was huddled under his umbrella, peering at what looked like a pocket watch.

Abruptly he snapped it shut, brushed raindrops from the lapel of his jacket and began to trot away down the road.

Treeb stared at Lukos. ‘I hope you’re right about this, Lukos, he doesn’t look like much.’

‘Gentlemen, I am absolutely convinced that the adventures of the Doctor will prove to be one of the most memorable programmes that our viewers have ever seen. It has been titled to preserve the mystery and mystique of the Time Lords. Our new show is “Doctor When”!’

Chapter Four

A million miles away from the boardroom a single ship swam through the writhing colours of the Brago nebula, tendrils of flickering energy dancing over its hull.

Inside, two dark figures stared at the Doctor’s receding form on it holosphere. The ship’s control room was black and wet, ugly machine shapes coiling in the shadows. One of the figures leant over a console and stabbed at a control. At once the holoview changed to another view of the Doctor. The picture bobbed and weaved, the colours dancing wildly. The figure hissed into a communicator.

‘Barrock! You must concentrate! Focus on the Doctor.’

The image sharpened.

‘Will it work?’ The other shape shuffled painfully forward, scrutinising the weaving image.

‘It will work. The Time Lord is too inquisitive. He will not leave until he has found his answers and by then it will be too late.’

‘And the Zzinbriizi?’

‘They are difficult to control, but we can cause Barrock pain, and he will