t
this moment in time, the outpost Gamma J is unique. It's uniqueness was
not that it was another man's great 'wheel in space' but a large
metallic monster spinning slowly on its axis: built during the great
wars to serve as recreational centres for the beleaguered troops of
Earth's many wars with alien worlds: Its uniqueness was that it was
totally deserted...
Deserted that is
until the arrival of a large blue box, battered but proud as it slowly
materialised within one of the stations long dimly lit metallic
corridors, something of which the alien artefact was very familiar with
from its many journeys through the Universe.
As the sound of
the alien artefact resounded through the empty corridor, its occupant
busied himself at its controls as the TARDIS finally came to rest. As
the central column stopped, he continued to busy himself checking the
controls once again in order to satisfy himself that everything was
okay.
A light, however
indicated that all was not well, 'Now what?' he said to himself, and as
he did so he 'tooted' softly on his recorder. 'It appears that
something is holding the TARDIS here,' The Doctor moved his hands over
the console to operate the viewing monitor 'Let's take a look and see
where we've landed shall we?'
The viewing
monitor showed the gloomy interior of the corridor beyond the TARDIS
doors. 'You know how to pick your locations,' but the view wasn't
enough, 'Oh dear, it's no good, I'll have to go outside and take a
look.'
The Doctor moved
to the interior door and began to open it but suddenly decided against
it. 'I think I'll let Jamie and Victoria sit this one out,' he closed
the door quietly and moved back over to the console, 'anyway, this
shouldn't take long and I'll be back before the cock crows.'
The Doctor operated the control for the door and cautiously moved through the doorway and out into the gloom beyond.
As the door
closed behind him the Doctor removed a handkerchief from the breast
pocket of his coat and gently mopped his brow, 'Oh dear,' he said, 'It
is rather dark out here.'
He replaced the
handkerchief and pulled out a torch from within his vast deep pockets.
Switching it on he shone the beam of light into the gloom ahead. The
light faltered slightly, but after a few taps the torch shone brightly
piercing the darkness beyond.
As the beam of
light scanned the corridor ahead it fell upon several doors leading off
in different directions. His caution eased as he became used to his
surroundings, and as he studied the doors, mostly locked, however, he
did find the occasional door open but their contents were nothing of
interest nor did they reveal any
reason for the TARDIS being held aboard
the station: a fact of the TARDIS' location became apparent when he
came across several viewing windows showing the stars beyond as the
station spun on its axis.
