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Preview: Time's Champion The Doctor and the Valeyard stared at each other, each unblinking. Something popped and smoke billowed out from the damaged console near them. Neither of them noticed; their minds singled each other out, excluding their surroundings. The Valeyard spoke first. ‘It seems that we have finally found ourselves, Doctor. A pity. I had hoped to avoid this reunion; I’ve been disappointed enough today already.’ The Doctor sighed, knowing full well from his Trial the Valeyard’s predilection for skewering his opponent with his acidic tongue. Had it been that occasion once more he might have lanced back with his own well crafted retort. But today, with the heavy knowledge that the Valeyard still lived impressing itself deep into his hearts, the Doctor merely muttered, ‘A little disappointment is never unwelcome, Valeyard; it helps you prepare for the worst.’ ‘Then I should have prepared for this,’ the Valeyard hissed as he leaned towards the console, his body showing no signs of injury from the Chaplain’s earlier attack. He circled around the console, resting, rubbing and prodding his fingers over and upon its broken instruments. Standing a few feet away, Benton pulled the Doctor close to him and whispered in his ear, keeping his eyes on the Valeyard all the time, ‘You mentioned this Valeyard bloke before. Is he really what you said he was, your dark side from the future?’ The Doctor nodded. ‘But… what is he really? How did he get here in your past? How was he created? Who…’ ‘Mr Benton!’ interrupted the Doctor, perhaps more sharply than he intended. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t know and at this moment I don’t want to think about it! The Valeyard has been a shadow of a future I’d hoped to avoid for far too long now. I thought I might have finally avoided that future, but now …’ the Doctor’s shoulders sagged, ‘… now all I can do is deal with the present problems we face. That’s the only answer I have right now.’ He shook his head again and drew in a long breath. As he let it out in a long sigh, it was as though he was coming to a decision. He pulled himself up, and straightened his lapels with his hands. Then he fixed his eyes on Benton and smiled. ‘Nevertheless, Mr Benton, there is one good thing about this scenario, granted it is practically a worse case: We’re all on the same level this time, and that always puts the ball back in my court.’ Riding on his second wind of animation, the Doctor strode boldly over to the console, just as one of its panels exploded in a discharge of electrically charged fire. ‘What are you doing here, Doctor?’ asked the Valeyard as the Doctor studied the console intently. ‘The same thing I try to do wherever I end up in my travels; I offer my help.’ ‘Then I’ll do what anyone who meets you should do: ignore it! You’d only assist in dooming us to destruction anyway!’ Throwing his hands wide the Doctor exclaimed, ‘Then we might as well consign ourselves to our destruction, because for all the faith you lack in me, I have even less in you!’ Another explosion burst within the console and the entire room began to shake violently. The Doctor stepped close to the Valeyard, his eyes level with those of his other self. ‘But together, we just might be able to work a miracle. Isn’t that enough to try one more time?’ At that moment, a mournful resonant sound chimed out, filled the shuddering space of the TARDIS, as it started to repeat, its tolling counting the seconds to whatever fate awaited them. The Doctor continued to look levelly at the Valeyard. ‘The cloister bell… we don’t have much time left…’ ‘Very well, but this changes nothing between us.’ The Doctor returned the nod and extended his hand. ‘Together then,’ he said, and Benton, watching this exchange, would have sworn he heard a touch of gratitude in the Doctor’s voice. The Valeyard did not extend his hand in response, but turned to inspect the remains of his console. ‘DeSable’s meddling has burnt out the ship’s time core; any dematerialisation is impossible unless we make immediate repairs. I will check the further extent of the damage, Doctor, you inspect the stabilisers. Mr Benton, you keep an eye on that dial there,’ he pointed out one of the controls on the console. ‘If it passes into the purple zone, let me know immediately.’ The Doctor let his hand drop slowly to his side. ‘Divide and conquer,’ he whispered, as he knelt at the base of the console and started rummaging within. (Text © Chris McKeon, 2008) |
Preview: Time's Champion |
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