"The Crystal Skulls of Halsinar" Part 3

OK folks, here is part three of this dark adventure for Ben:

"The Crystal Skulls of Halsinar"

Part 3 : Labyrinths of Pain

Kyle lept back in horror, although Ben's features quickly returned and the goat-like image faced. Kyle luncged forward and knocked the goblet out of Ben's hands. It flew across the room and smashed in to the wall, wine splattering the wallpaper. Ben held his head in his hands:
"I feel... kind of faint...what's happening..."
He looked up and saw the wine splattered wall:
"Hey, what the hell has happened to my wall? That wallpaper cost £30 a roll and the exclusive decorating company charged £550 per wall to decorate this apartment. Not that I make a habit of the vulgar practice of considering the financial cost of things, however what the hell have you done Kyle?"
Kyle grinned:
"Whew, that's more like the Ben I know. You was under the influence of that goblet thing Ben. You wern't yourself."
"Nonsense Kyle. I mean, I don't remember clearly..."
"Well you was. And summat else, your face started to change into summat none human..."
As Kyle spoke the door buzzer rang. Kyle jumped up and answered it as Katie Ryan flounced in:
"What's all this about you getting divorced Ben? I can't say I'm surprised, in fact I'm stunned it lasted so long," Katie exclaimed.
Ben sighed, his golden hair falling down over his eyes:
"News travels fast. How the hell did you find out?" He asked.
"Oh I was out delivering UKIP leaflets near Trinity College and your wife virtually ran straight into me. Then she started shouting about you and crying. Frankly I told her to pull herself together and she barged off in the direction of Fulton & Howe's office, you know the solicitors. I hope you've got a good lawyer yourself."
Ben lay back on the sofa and stared at the ceiling:
"I really don't need this. No doubt my father won't lend me the finance to hire the very best legal advice. I'll have to use the Operation Delta reserve funds."

Meanwhile Dr Jeremy Lenton walked up the steps to the constituency office of Sir Basil Colley, the Conservative MP for Cambridge. He rang the doorbell and was shown inside by Miriam Keeler, Colley's secretary, a young woman of about 23 with long blonde hair.
"Its Dr Lenton come for his appointment Sir Basil" Miriam said, showing Lenton into Colley's office.
"Ah Dr Lenton. Sit down man, sit down. Not sure what it is you want but its always good to see an Oxford man round here. One gets rather isolated stuck here on enemy turf so to speak."
Lenton smiled:
"Oh I hope that you'll soon be feeling less of a fish out of water. What I want you to do is to get me in to one of the Prime Minister's little dinner parties. You know the ones with senior business leaders and so forth. Make sure its one with the Deputy PM and the Chancellor present as well."
Sir Basil frowned:
"I don't understand. Are you having a little joke with me Dr Lenton?"
"Oh I assure you I'm not joking", Lenton replied with a grin.
"Then there's nothing I can do for you. I can't just wave a hand and get you into the Prime Minister's exclusive meetings. Why on earth would he want a ruddy Anthropologist there? Its not as if you do anything important."

As Lenton and Colley talked, Joe Hannigan stumbled through the streets of Cambridge, his consciousness battling through the dense fog of confusion that surrounded his mind like a vice. He heard the voice of the armoured King, whispering directions to him. Joe arrived at Colley's constituency office and, seeing the sign, a sense of his old hatred and resentment surfaced. Joe hated politicians almost as much as he despised the police and academics. To him they represented the jackboot of the corrupt and selfish middle-aged continually stamping down on the hopes and dreams of the young. To Joe the likes of Sir Basil Colley had been handed their easy path in life by their social background and lacked the imagination to even conceive of the life that Joe had led. They could never walk in his shoes, not even in their dreams... or nightmares. Joe remembered how one of his mother's boyfriends had used to punch him across the room and then lock him in the shed all night with only the wooden floor to sleep on. These thoughts ebbed and flowed through the confused labyrinths of his mind as he rang the door bell. Miriam Keeler answered the door:
"I need to see Colley" Joe stammered out.
"Er, you don't have an appointment and Sir Basil is with someone right now. I suggest you ring in and formally book a time."
Joe shoved her violently out of the way and barged in.
"Hey, come back, you can't just barge in here....." Miriam shouted. He started to ring 999 on her phone, however Joe grabbed it and stamped on it. He bounded up the stairway and flung himself into Colley's office.
"What the devil...." Colley exclaimed. Lenton looked at Joe bemused.
"I suggest that you leave now young man. I am talking to Sir Basil about some very important business. You would not want to cross me." Joe heard the voice inside his head whispering to him. He placed his bag on Colley's desk and took out one of the crystal skulls. It glowed with a strange, green light. Lenton stood up sharply:
"So you are the other thief. I suggest that you hand over the other skulls immediately. You have no idea what you have got yourself involved with boy" he shouted at Joe. Colley gave him a puzzled look:
"Just what on earth is going on here Lenton?" He asked. Joe stared at Lenton:
"I know what you are involved with old man. He spoke to you but now he speaks to me. The King is speaking to me now. I am the King's servant now. He needs no other!"
Joe lifted up his hand and a bolt of green light shot out from it and into Dr Lenton's torso. His face writhed with agony as his hair and skin caught fire, the flames hissing and spitting. Lenton's eyeballs frizzled and melted as he collapsed onto the floor in a smoking heap.


..............to be continued.

"The Crystal Skulls of Halsinar" Part 2

Part 2 : The Goblet

Ben overheard Dr Lenton's offer to make him a wealthy man and he strode towards the door:
"Its alright Kyle, I'll take over from now on. Please come in Dr Lenton and sit down. I do apologise for my initial nonchalance, it has been a very tough day. Can I offer you a coffee, exclusive Columbian blue ridge?"
Ben let his hair flop down over his eyes and then gently flicked it back, coquettishly. Dr Lenton smiled:
"That would be very nice Mr Chatham, truely."
"Kyle, go and prepare the coffee for our guest. Go on, chop chop" Ben firmly stated. Kyle shot him an angry look before going to the kitchen.
"Now what is it I can do for you Dr Lenton?" Ben asked, giving the academic his best seductive glance. Lenton noticed that the newspaper on the sofa was open at the section devoted to the death of Steve Fletcher:
"I see that you have been reading about the death of that burglar in the grounds of Balliol College. The matter I wish to raise with you pertains to this incident. You see I was the victim of this young man's last 'job', as I think the criminal fraternity refer to their exploits. My house was broken into and three valuable items were stolen, crystalline skulls. They have yet to be recovered as it seems that this Steve boy had an accomplice."
"Isn't this a matter for the police? Let us discuss your comment about making me a very rich man" Ben replied.
"Mr Chatham, the two matters are interconnected. I have it on good authority that you and your associates have experience in investigating matters of an esoteric or paranormal nature. There are issues here which I do not want to discuss with the regular police. The crystal skulls to which I refered have certain properties. They are extremely valuable. Unique. I want you to recover them for me."
As he spoke, Kyle returned with the coffee on a tray:
"Ere, are you sayin' these skulls are alien in origin or summat? What's your game mate?" he interjected. Dr Lenton was bemused:
"I made no such claim young man. The Department of Archaeology and Anthropology have no explanation for the properties of these objects. However they are of great importance to our institution and we are prepared to reward Mr Chatham and his organisation very generously for their recovery."
Lenton pulled a cheque from out of his top pocket and held it before Ben. It was a cheque for £1million made out to Ben.
"All this needs is a date and my signature". Lenton put the cheque back into his pocket.
"But for now I'll just leave you with a little something as a token of Oxford's appreciation of you." As Lenton spoke he lifted up a bag and pulled out a silver goblet which he placed on the coffee table:
"This is Edward Longshanks' goblet. Unique. When the tomb of King Edward 1st was opened in 1774, this was found within the coffin. It is inscribed on the bottom with the design of his personal seal. It is yours to keep."

Joe Hannigan sat in the corner of his damp, cold bedsit room, his head resting on his knees. His nerves were shot and he shook uncontrollably. He stared with horror at the bag he had thrown down as he rushed into the room the previous night. He had drifted in and out of either sleep or unconsciousness, he did not know which. He kept seeing flashbacks of Steve burning up inside and felt the horror over and over again. Unable to stand he had unrinated himself where he sat and the dampcarpet around him exuded a pungent odour. As the darkness fell again, the room was bathed in the shimmering light of a full moon, which shone through the window. Joe drifted in an out of dark dreams, where he faces from his past, of people he hated, his father, teachers and girls that had rejected him. He sensed a presence in the room with him. Waking quickly he turned his head sharply to the right and saw a figure emerging out of the far wall. The figure was dressed in the mail coat and metal helmet of a medieval knight and carried a long sword. The figure approached the shaking Joe and reached out its hand to him. It spoke no words and yet Joe sensed that he was being offered power and renewal of some kind. He felt as if the anger inside of him was returning and that the powerlessness that had fueled this anger all of his life was about to be replaced with a chance for recompence. The figure before him seemed to be offering him a bargain, a pact of some kind. He had nothing to give and nothing to lose. Through the dark emptiness of utter hopelessness Joe reached out his hand and touched the figure......

Ben lay sprawled across his leather sofa eating a tub of dark olives and smiling to himself. Kyle was annoyed:
"Look Ben you can't trust that creepy geezer no way. Why does he need us to like find his skull things, why not the old bill? What if they are alien in origin?"
Ben lay his head back on the cushion and laughed:
"Oh come on Kyle, your indignation is so plebian. I very much doubt that a senior academic of Dr Lenton's pedigree is involved with alien plots. I have had experience in the past of crystal skulls of alien origin but these sound quite different. For one thing they were found in England, which is unique as most cystalline skulls originate from the Americas or the far east. Think of it Kyle, £1 million of Oxford University's money coming to a Cambridge graduate." Ben laughed and sipped his red wine from Edward 1st's:
"You know what Kyle, I feel so good that I'm going to phone Emma right now and tell her that she can serve me her wretched divorce papers. The tide has turned at last."
"Ben you ain't thinkin' straight. Are you sure you should be drinkin' from that rancid thing? Look I know we ain't talked much lately but I want you to know that I really respect you ok. What you've done for me , well I can't say how much it means, I've learned so much like from bein' here an' part of all this. I want you to know that Ben because for your own good like I'm gonna tell ya that you're behavin' like an arsehole. Not just with this skulls malarky but all the Emma shit as well Ben. How you've treated 'er is rank."
Ben looked up and smiled:
"Oh don't lets spoil the moment. I'm happy Kyle and I know that you could be to. Why be uptight and irritable?"
"I don't get you Ben. Why ain't you angry an' makin' condescendin' remarks at me? Didn't you hear right, I called you an arsehole."
Ben smiled:
"Its ok Kyle, I don't mind. Have some wine"
Ben held the goblet towards Kyle. As he dis so his features seemed to fade and change into those of a goat-like creature.......


............... to be continued.

"The Crystal Skulls of Halsinar" Part 1

The Crystal Skulls of Halsinar


Part 1 : Death of a Thief

The cold breeze blew drizzle into the eyes of Joe Hannigan as he climbed onto the top of the garden fence and dropped down the other side. He was shortly followed by his friend and accomplice Steve Fletcher, a dark-haired and rather overweight youth of nineteen.
"This is daft Joe. I mean like how do we know there's anything worth 'avin' in there?" Steve moaned.
"Shut it whingin'. All you ever like do is bloody whinge an' whine. We're doin' this job because I'm sick of playin' it small ok? This could mean some serious dosh as well as gettin' one over the gownies of this shit hole town" Joe whispered back angrily.
"You an' that chip on your shoulder" Steve moaned.
"Fuck off, I ain't got no chip just a  whinging great slob next to me" Joe spat back.
However Joe Hannigan did have a massive chip on his shoulder and he knew it. A tall, slim youth with cropped blond hair, he burned with the strange, unfocused hatred of doomed youth. His father, whom he had met only once, was gas boiler fitter who had walked out before Joe was even born. His mother worked for a food packing company. Joe had a quick, agile mind yet his short temper had prevented him from aquiring the skills and discipline necessary to use this intelligence to get on. He had been expelled from one school for fighting, having glassed a boy in the corridor, and later from college for punching a Maths teacher. Joe hated the academics and university students of Oxford, where he lived. He despised their privileged backgrounds, assured confidence and aura of success. To Joe these people had never had to struggle or to cope with and real problems or issues in their lives. Joe was a loner, prefering the certainty of his own company to the compromises necessary to form friendships with the coseted and the shallow. The one exception to this was Steve. Bullied at school for being overweight, lacking in social skills, Steve was his comrade in outsiderdom. Steve was a highly skilled petty thief and Joe admired this greatly, despite Steve's lack of ambition and imagination.

Slowly they crept towards the house. One of thee downstairs lights was on, although the curtains were drawn.
"What if they ain't out after all?" Steve asked.
"Look, you said yourself that they'd probably leave lights on to make it look like someone's in. They do it in these posh houses right? I know what I overheard like. Waiting on the posh cunt and his snotty wife while all the time listening to them planning their weekend break in Rome. Dr Jeremy Lenton of Corpus Christie College Archaeology department. Married to the actress Brighette Jones. Didn't take much research on the net to find out where they live. No kids, no live in housekeepers from what I've like overheard. Dream job. She must have masses of jewellry and shit" Joe replied. It took Steve very little time to prize open the back door with a crowbar and his skill ensured that this made only a little noise. They searched around downstairs:
"Told you they were out" Joe said grinning. He picked up a bronze statuette off a side table and threw it at a large picture of Dr Lenton and his wife, smashing the glass.
"Hey what you do that for?" Steve exclaimed.
"Oh stop whinin'. Search upstairs!" Joe instructed.
Steve went upstairs and searched the main bedroom. He found a safe within one of the cupboards and fixed a small explosive device to it from his toolbag. He soon had the safe open and Brighette Jones' valuables in his bag, Meanwhile Joe had found Lenton's office and was searching around. He found a locked wooden cabinet in the corner:
"Hey, Steve, get here will ya!" he shouted. Steve arrived quickly:
"Get that cabinet thing open."
Steve prized the door open and they saw inside, arranged in a neat row, three crystal-glass skulls.
"Hey its only a load of crap Joe, we've got the jewellry, lets leg it", Steve said.
"Get them in the bag, I've read about these sorts of things. Something to do with lost civilisations in South America, Probably worth loads" Joe replied.
Steve reluctantly loaded the skulls into the bag and they left the house. They ran down the leafy close and took a shortcut through the park,  arriving out onto the grounds of Balliol College, Joe throwing his arms around and laughing:
"Yeah that stuff will fetch a lot of dough. We'll pass it on to Flannigan sell through his Amsterdam connections" he shouted. Suddenly Steve dropped the bag and started to stagger.
"Hey Joe... I feel... faint....."
He fell to the ground and started vomiting. Blood oozed from his ears and nostrils. As Joe tried to help him, Steve's head seemed to glow and change into a crystalline skull with eyes that glowed red. Joe was filled with a strange, visceral horror and he grabbed the bag and ran.......


In the Mermaid Wine Bar in Cambridge, Ben Chatham swirled the wine around in the glass before downing it . He stared at the empty glass, tears forming in his dark eyes.
"I can't believe that you would do this to me" he said with a mixture of anger and despair. Emma Chatham glared back at him furiously:
"Ben do you seriously think that what we have is a marriage? Really?"
 Ben looked up at her and took hold of  her hand:
"I've given you a home haven't I? I come and see you whenever I can. You knew when we started this that my work would mean we'd be apart for a fair amount of time".
Emma was furious:
"Your work isn't the damn problem Ben and you know it, its just the excuse. You're the problem. I don't have a husband, I have an absentee landlord. You sleep with men behind my back, and don't you dare try and deny it again, and refuse even to reply to my calls and texts. Look Ben, I know we kind of used each other in this, I know that. But I want out. I thought I could handle it but I can't. I guess I love you too much."
Ben poured another glass of wine:
"Ok Emma, what if I agreed to go on holiday with you and showed you some attention. The South of France maybe."
"I don't want a damn holiday, I want a husband!"
As they argued, Barry Tuck, the waiter, had arrived with their bill. He leaned over to Emma:
"Not gettin' much attention in the bedroom love? How about I help you out there. I bet you're a right little wriggler" he whispered.
"How dare you say that. Go away you disgusting, crude man" Emma shouted. Barry Tuck held up his hands in a gesture of protest:
"Hold on love. Bit of an over-reaction there. Lovely jugs though. Anyway there's you're fucking bill" he said before walking off. Emma became emotional:
"So are you just going to sit there Ben? Why arn't you going and demanding to see the manager of this place to complain about that creature? You heard him insult your wife and you just sit there."
"*sighing* Its only Tuck. He's like that with all the women. Everyone complains but his managers won't sack him. Don't let him get to you."
"Its not him thats getting to me its you Ben. You just don't care do you? Huh? Its all Ben, Ben, Ben, me , me , me."
Ben sighed:
"Emma you are throwing your toys out of the pram. Overly hostile behaviour on your part is both unfair and unworthy of you. Earlier you suggested that we should divorce. Therefore if anyone has a right to be upset here it is me."
Ben flicked his hair out of his eyes and wiped back tears. He picked up one of the wine bar newpapers from the side table and started to flick through it. Emma was furious:
"I can't believe that you'd sit there reading the newspaper at a time like this" she shouted. Ben ignored her. His eyes focused on a story several pages in:

BURGLAR FOUND DEAD IN ELECTROCUTION RIDDLE

A burglar has been found dead in an Oxford college grounds with all the signs of being electrocuted. Police have revealed that Steve Fletcher,19,  who had recently been released from a young offenders' institution had injuries consistent with exposure to a very high voltage however there were no signs of the likely source of this and no overhead powerlines....

A short time later, Ben arrived back at his apartment in Cambridge, without Emma. He threw himself down onto his leather sofa and sighed, burying his head in his hands:
"I'm shattered Kyle. I could just curl up into a ball on here and drift into oblivion" he said, languidly. Kyle grinned:
"Oh cam on Ben. You seen Emma I suppose."
"Yes I have Kyle, more's the pity. She wants a divorce."
As he spoke, the apartment door buzzer went. Kyle left Ben to his melancholy and answered:
"Er.hello. My name's Lenton. Dr Jeremy Lenton of Oxford University. Lecturer in Anthropology.  I understand that Ben Chatham lives here."
"Who is it Kyle?" Ben said mournfully.
"Some Dr Lenton geezer from Oxford, says he's a lecturer like in Anthropology".
"Oh I've heard of him. He wrote a book on the Mayans but I didn't think much of it. Tell him to go away, I'm tired." Kyle looked apologetic:
"Sorry mate, Ben gets like this sometimes. Try tomorrer". Dr Lenton frowned:
"Look, I want to see Mr Chatham now on an important matter. I can make him a very rich man indeed......."


.................to be continued.

Time Out of Mind : Part 11

OK folks, here is the gripping final part of the 50th Anniversary Special. Ben Chatham will return for a new and dramatic adventure in the new year. Merry Christmas!




Part 11 : Day of Reckoning.





The Doctors looked on in horror as the grim metallic Dalek voices blasted from the plasma screen. The fourth Doctor strode forward:

"Has nobody ever told you that you don't make bargains with the Daleks. Not unless you are phenomenally deluded."

The Exalted Creath took a draw on his opium pipe and laughed sardonically:

"You may chunter away all you like Doctor. It is the bad grace of the outwitted."

"Bad grace? Oh well if you won't listen then who am I to ..... have you never actually considered that the Daleks are just using you? Why would they make an alliance with some minor little dictator of a remote planet? Once they have the TARDISes then they will use their power to subdue the universe and you will be superfluous to requirement", the fourth Doctor replied. Adric frowned:

"Kill him Lord Creath."

The Exalted Creath patted his hand:

"Later my boy, later. For now I will put up with the empty noise these Time Lords make...."



Meanwhile , in the Black With pub, the robotic Wang Ton Wo guards overturned tables and rounded on Ben Chatham. One of them raised its sabre however just in time Ben grabbed a glass of beer that was resting on the bar and threw it into the android's face. The beer went through its eyes into its electronic workings and its head began to flash and spark. Meanwhile Katie Ryan smashed a chair over the other one's head before Kyle emptied a bottle of whisky over it, which caused it to spark and hiss. Both androids collapsed in a smouldering heap.

"Excellent work team and a fitting use for such poor quality blended whisky" Ben said with a wry smile. The 5th Doctor stood up, looking enigmatic:

"Something tells me that my other selves are not too far away. A Time Lord senses these things."

"Oh I think you may be right. I suggest we find ourselves and I don't mean in the spiritual sense" the 11th Doctor replied.

They all left the pub and piled into Ben's car, with the 5th Doctor suggesting the way. They drove through the centre of Lancaster as the other pubs were turning out. Drunken louts staggered into the road in front of them, a drunken woman was performing a sexual act on a bouncer and a northern youth urinated up a NatWest cashpoint.

"The behaviour of these people is absolutely disgusting," Ben observed.

"Ere its just a few people 'avin' a laugh on a weekend" Kyle replied. Ben winced:

"I think it is more of a general encapsulation of modern urban life and its dreadful features. Happy in their dull jobs and unthinking routines, these people let off steam at the weekend by engaging in the lowest forms of behaviour they can , clubbing, booze, casual sex and a good vomit."

"Ere Ben you can be a right snob sometimes" Kyle replied. Katie Ryan pointed out of the car window:

"Kyle theres a woman over there hitting a black man with a bottle and calling him a cheating ¤¤¤¤. And a youth in a white hoodie is trying to kick the window of Barclays Bank in. Ben is not a snob, he is simply an accurate observer."

Katie lent forward and stroked Ben's golden hair as they drove out into the countryside. Eventually the Doctor's directions led to a open space of countryside before a large, brooding Lancashire hill. Before the hill stood the Forbidden Tower.

"What the hell is that?" Katie asked.

"A tower" the 11th Doctor replied.

"No ¤¤¤¤ Sherlock. Now tell us what alien force is behind this" Katie demanded.

"Hmm not sure. Suspect the Zenethians" the Doctor replied. Katie was annoyed:

"I could have worked that out myself."

"Then please do and stop nattering in my ear" the 11th Doctor replied. Katie jabbed him in the neck with her eyelash tweezers.

"OW"

"Serves you right, bow-tie boy!" .



In the Forbidden Tower, the Exalted Creath p[oints towards a transmat beamer. The machine starts to glow and the Dalek Supreme materialises.

"Do you know the loc-a-tion of the oth-er Doc-tors?" it states. The Creath smiled as Adric switched on a monitor and it showed Ben's car approaching.

"They are in that car. Their TARDISes must be nearby" Adric stated,

"Shall I destroy the car Master?" he asked the Creath.

"No. I'm sure the Daleks would like the pleasure of killing the Doctors themselves."

"We do not have the fee-ling of plea-sure. This is a hu-man weak-ness. Killing the Doc-tors will be a necessity on our path to uni-verse domination. DOM-IN-A-TION" the Dalek Supreme replied.

"Oh you are so dominant. Chase me, chase me" the tenth Doctor shouted with a grin, mocking the Dalek.

"Silence! If I had my way you'd be flayed alive by my guards for your insolence" the Exalted Creath shouted. However this was a diversionary tactic to disguise the fact that the 7th and 2nd Doctors had snuck round the back of the Exalted Creath and towards the transmat device. Suddenly the 2nd Doctor flicked switches on the device while the 7th Doctor used his umbrella to smash up a control panel. The Dalek Supreme started to fade and then exploded. In the confusion the Doctors launched a full on attack on the Wang Ton Wo guards. A group of Zenethians, seeing they had a chance to overthrow the Exalted Creath, pitched in on the side of the Doctors.



Ben drove up to the Tower and the fifth Doctor lept out, using his sonic screwdriver to open a metallic door.

"Come on team, lets save the earth" Ben heroically shouted, his lush golden hair blowing in the breeze.

"You're a brave guy Ben" Katie shouted.

"I know" Ben replied.

They ran into the Tower and were greeted by the grinning face of the 4th Doctor.

"Ah you are just in time. We've overpowered the Exalted Creath however there is the small matter of a Dalek fleet heading for earth."

The 4th Doctor led the way to the throne room where the Wang Ton Wo guards lay in smouldering heaps and Adric and the Exalted Creath sat tied up with string .The 5th Doctor scowled at Adric:

"I'm disappointed in you Adric. I thought you were dead".

"You ¤¤¤¤. How dare you imply that you're disappointed I'm not dead."

"Oh do grow up Adric." the 5th Doctor replied wearily.

The 2nd Doctor had an idea and he took out a old fashioned watch on a chain from his pocket and started to swing it in front of Adric's eyes. Suddenly he snapped his fingers and Adric jerked then looked around startled:

"Where am I.... whats happened?"

The 2nd Doctor had broken the Exalted Creath's mental hold on Adric, who reverted back to normal. They untied him. Meanwhile the first Doctor had a plan:

"We can use the combined power of the ten TARDISes here to destroy the Dalek fleet. The Creath has already wired them up."

The Doctors flicked some switches and pointed to the monitor screen. A huge Dalek fleet was approaching.

"I nominate Ben to flick the final switch. Appropriate since his Operation Delta team have saved the day" the 5th Doctor exclaimed.

"Well said that man" the 3rd Doctor agreed.

Ben stepped forward and flicked the switch. On the screen the Dalek fleet exploded.



Later, Ben invited all the Doctors to a celebratory party at the Mermaid Wine Bar in Cambridge, which he booked exclusively for the evening. The Doctors had sent the Exalted Creath and the Forbidden Tower back to Zeneth and returned to earth in their TARDISes.

"Well its been great but lets hope we don't all have to meet up like this again" the 6th Doctor exclaimed, raising his glass.

"Here here" the Doctors all shouted, laughing.

"And I propose a special toast to Ben for saving the day once again" the 10th Doctor shouted.

"TO BEN" the Doctors all shouted in unison, raising their glasses. Ben blushed and Adric stared at Ben's golden hair, falling in love with him.



THE END

Time Out of Mind : Part 10

Part 10: Death's Shadow




The ninth and tenth Doctors ran to the grim tower windows and stared out:

"Hey up, we're in the north of England. I'd recognise that rugged terrain and foul weather anywhere", the ninth Doctor exclaimed, grinning inanely. The tenth Doctor stared at the Exalted Creath:

"So how exactly do you plan to capture my fifth and eleventh incarnations?" he asked.

"*cough* *cough* twelfth actually" the War Doctor interjected.

"Oh shut it, you don't count", the tenth Doctor quipped back. The Exalted Creath laughed sardonically:

"You bickering fools. Soon I will have you all within my power. I will send out my elite guard , the Wang Ton Wo, to bring them to me."

The Creath clapped his hands and from two side doors a group of oriental warriors entered the room armed with swords. They were dressed like the terracotta army however their faces were metallic.

"Androids!" the second Doctor exclaimed.

"The Wang Ton Wo are the perfect killing machine. No fear, no emotion, no pity" the Creath exclaimed.

"You yellow fiend! I insist that you tell us who you are working with. Who has given you the technology to harness the power of the TARDIS?" the third Doctor exclaimed. Adric turned to the Exalted Creath:

"He just insulted you Master. I think you should kill him for that". The Creath stroked Adric's arm:

"Well said my boy. However I have a better idea. *To the Wang Ton Wo* bring that girl here!"

Several of the android guards moved out, grabbed Jo Grant, and brought her towards the throne. Jo screamed.

"I demand that you release Jo immediately" the third Doctor shouted. The Creath laughed:

"*To the guards* cut off her head!"

One of the gurards forced Jo's head down as another raised its sharp, glimmering sword.......



Back at 'The Black Witch' Ben Chatham knocked back another glass of whisky and stared into the glass. Kyle took the glass out of his hand:

"Don't you think you've 'ad enough a that stuff tonight? You don't even like it". Ben stared at him angrily:

"Well its about all this damn wretched place sells apart from beer. Don't you think I'm entitled to drown my sorrows given the mess my life is in?"

"It ain't the answer Ben. You need to talk to Emma like when all this is over".

"What the hell is the point Kyle. She refuses to see reason. I've given her a nice home, presents and money yet she still goes running off to my father complaining. I completely fail to understand the female mind . She mentioned a while back that she wanted children and maybe this is at the root of it."

"Or it could be you seemin' to be usin' her when she wants a proper marriage like" Kyle answered.

"Who's damn side are you on Kyle?"

"Look Ben, if you don't want to be married to her an' if you don't want kids then why not just tell 'er? An' why not stand up to the old man an' tell 'im to do one? Why treat Emma like shit by stringin' her along?"

"There speaks the simplistic ignorance of the benefits class. If I did that I'd lose my inheritance Kyle."

As Ben finished his sentence the door to the pub flew open and in marched two of the Wang Ton Wo guards. One of them raised his sword and brought it down across the table, slicing it in two.......



In the Forbidden Tower, Jo Grant screamed as the android guard raised its sword. Before it could bring it down the third Doctor rushed forward and used Venusian akido to wrong foot the metallic agressor before pulling out a screwdriver and jabbing it into the android's mouth. It staggered back, emitting a shower of sparks.

"Look man, you're quarrel is with me not Jo. Let her go and ask your robotic army to chop my head off instead."

"Very noble Doctor, however I need you all alive for now. My allies asked that I hand you all over as the price for the technology to use your TARDISes.That technology will enhance my existing psychokinetic cosmic energy to the levels needed to overcome the paradox of using twelve eyes of harmony which are the same one. I will rule the stars... the entire universe and all of the past, present and future".

The first Doctor stepped forward:

"You my boy are insane. And who are these allies then hmm. Who?"

The Exalted Creath stood up and walked to a large control console below a plasma screen. He flicked a switch and an image appeared on the screen of three.....





........DALEKS!



"I have ten of them already and soon I will have the other two. Our bargain will then be complete."

"The Doc-Tor will soon be in our hands. He will be Ex-ter-min-a-ted. Twelve times. EX-TER-MIN-ATE,

EX-TER-MIN-ATE

EX-TER-MIN-ATE.........



......................to be continued.

Time Out of Mind : Part 9

Ok folks, here is the part nine of this anniversary special:






Part 9 : Nemesis of the Doctor



The Zygons advanced towards Ben Chatham:



"This planet will fall to us and not to the Zenethians. Many centuries ago they were expelled from our planet for challenging our economic system. Their power must be kept in check. They will not colonise this planet."

Ben was concerned:

"Look, that is all well and good up to a point. I agree that the Zenethians should go elsewhere. However why don't you just help us to expell them without trying to conquer earth yourselves?"

"You foolish human. The only way to protect this planet from them is for us to take it first."

The fifth Doctor is annoyed:

"That is possibly the most arrogant statement I have ever heard."

"This planet is defended. And cool", the 11th Doctor added, twirling his bow tie. The zygon scowled:

"What is this nonsense? This planet is weak. We will conquer it, crush the Zenethians, then colonise this planet for living space for our surplas population."

As the zygon speaks, a group of zenethians, shape shifted into men in leather jackets and shades, arrive and a shootout starts. Ben seizes the opportunity:

"I suggest we run."

They escape the castle as the zygons and zenethians shoot it out.



Meanwhile on Zeneth, the Doctors round on the War Doctor:

"'Ang about pal, so its you who's working with this Chang, Creath or whatever he's called. A new low even for you" the 9th Doctor exclained. The War Doctor shook his head:

"Oh dear. I seem to have regenerated into a loud, leather jacket wearer. In actual fact I never destroyed Gallifrey, it is your memory that is incorrect. And I am not working for the Exalted Creath, I am his prisoner, just as you are."

The 9th Doctor offeredtheWar Doctor his phone:

"Why are you giving me this?" the War Doctor asked.

"So you can phone someone who gives a ¤¤¤¤ pal. I don't believe your daft excuses."

The third Doctor intervenes:

"There is no need for that kind of language. Control yourself man. *to the War Doctor" Well I for one believe you. Welcome to our club."

The tenth Doctor steps forward:

"Now hold on here. Club? This isn't the Albermale Club or something."

"Do you always wear your commoness on your sleeve?" the third Doctor asked the tenth.

The Exalted Creath laughed:

"You bickering fools are pathetic. Soon I will have your beloved earth in my possession, and then I will move on to taking the whole universe. Using the combined power of your TARDISes."

The tenth Doctor turns to him:

"Oh here we go. The yellow peril here thinks he can combine the power of multiple TARDISes , despite the fact that even a paradox machine cannot allow that to happen.

"It can't be done man. You're deluded" the third Doctor shouted at the Creath. Adric stared at him angrily:

"You dare to challenge my Master? You will die for that."

"Do not let them make you angry, Adric my boy. I will show them what I can do" the Creath replied, flicking a switch. On a huge monitor screen an image appeared. A large black hole was firing out rays of dark energy straight at a row of suspended TARDISes.



In Lancaster, Ben, the Doctors, Katie Ryan and Kyle Scott returned to the Black Witch pub. Ben sat by the bar, his head in his hands. Kyle went up to him:

"Come on Ben, whats up?"

"Whats up? My life is complete mess Kyle. I don't just mean this multiple alien invasion business. I've just received another text from my father ordering me to go and see Emma and patch things up. This is completely unfair, I don't see why he should pressurise me like this. Emma should just give me a damn break".

"Ere look Ben, I ain't gonna pry into your marriage but don't you think you ought to talk to her eventually?"

"No I damn well don't Kyle. I've told her straight that I think she obtained a good deal out of our arrangement. I'm under so much pressure that I'm starting to think that I'd be better off if those zygons had just shot me back there. It would save any more knives being plunged into my back. Its full enough of them surely."

Ben's golden hair fell over his eyes, which filled with tears.



Back on Zeneth, the Doctors stared at the image on the screen of the Black Hole:

"Now now, my boy, this can't be possible. Only the Time Lords have the technology to harness a black hole" the first Doctor shouted;

"And even they could never link it to multiple TARDISes" the WarDoctor added. The Exalted Creath grinned slyly:

"Then submit to my superior will and admit that I have beaten you. Soon I will have the earth in my power. All ethnic groups bar the chinese will be eradicated and then we will use it as a base for our conquest on the universe."

"You fiend. How did you get this kind of technology" the sixth Doctor shouted.

"That is my business."

"Well you haven't got hold of all of us yet" the 10th Doctor shouted.

"That is true. Your fifth and eleventh incarnations are evading my abduction beam. However old chinese proverb say, if whore wont come to visit her client, the client can always go round to the brothel". The Creath flicked a switch on the arm of his chair and the entire forbidden tower vanished from Zeneth and arrived.......





.............. in rural Lancashire.





....... to be continued.

Time Out of Mind: Part 8

Part 8: Horror at the Castle




In 'The Black Witch', Ben Chatham poured out a round of drinks for his team as he chaired a meeting to discuss recent developments:

"Unfortunately we seem to have leaned little from that coalman that we didn't know already. Someone is stealing nuclear technology from Bowland Research Plant and presumably this is the same alien shape-shifting group who are behind the 'ghosts' and the murders. How this fits in with the Doctor's fifth incarnation being here I have no idea." The fifth Doctor grins:

"I'm afraid that whoever has the power to hijack me from my timeline has probably done the same with some of my other incarnations and succeeded."

"But who Doctor?" Tegan asked.

"I don't know. Possibly the Time Lords."

The 11th Doctor frowns:

"Er Doctor. There is something you and I need to discuss called the Time War...."

The two Doctors go off into the back room for a chat. Meanwhile Kyle sips his beer and turns to Ben:

"Ere somefink is puzzlin' me. Just before we finished questionin' the coalman he said somefink about the nuclear stuff bein' moved to somewhere totally secure. So where round 'ere is totally secure?" Ben thought for a moment:

"The Castle.... Lancaster Castle. Its huge and still in use. Come on, lets get round there immediately." The Doctors, including the ashen faced fifth Doctor rejoin them and they rush off to the castle."



Meanwhile on Zeneth, the Exalted Creath has summoned all the captured Doctors back to the Great Hall in the Forbidden Tower. He sat on his ornate golden throne and twirled his long mandarin moustache with his fingers as Adric stood by him:

"Ah Doctors. Good to see you again. I have someone I want you to meet." The 10th Doctor frowned:

"We've already met Adric thanks. Been there, got the shirt" he said, leaping about childishly.

"Act your age man!" the third Doctor shouted at the tenth."

The ninth Doctor approached Adric:

"'Ang about Adric. Why are you working for this twonk? You were a great companion once. One of the best. A good lad."

Adric scowled:

"I am not your 'good lad'. I have been to the dark mountains of Zemorah. There I drank the water and emerged reborn."

"Well whoop de do. Funny sounding water. Obviously some mind altering pap." the ninth Doctor replied.

"Well I wouldn't mind some of that" the fourth Doctor said grinning a toothy grin.

"Yeah yeah, hippy alert!" the ninth Doctor replied.

The third Doctor intervened:

"Look. I insist, Mr Chang, that you tell us what is going on. Who is it you want us to meet man? Who?"

The Exalted Creath gestured with his hand and in walked...........

The War Doctor (played by John Hurt). The third Doctor stared at the Exalted Creath:

"Well? Who is this?"

The tenth and ninth Doctors walked up to him:

"I'm afraid that this is one of our incarnations, but not a Doctor. He is a Warrior. He is us and he destroyed Gallifrey and all other Time Lords. He's called Warrior".

"And he's a right southern cunt" the ninth Doctor added.



Back on earth, Ben Chatham and the others approach the gated doorway of Lancaster Castle.

"Hmmm. We may find it rather difficult to get inside there" the 5th Doctor said.

"'Ere this ain't a problem Watch 'an learn dudes" Kyle said with a cheeky grin as he pulled out a twisted metal implement. He proceeded to pick the huge lock with ease.

"Words fail me. Utterly fail me" Ben exclaimed.

"Yeah but its how its done innit" Kyle replied, pushing the doorway open. They entered the castle however they were immediately confronted by a young guard:

"You are too late. The weaponry has been moved. Soon you will hear of our demands."

Ben stared at the young, dark-haired handome guard and felt an instant attraction. He approached him:

"I'm hoping that you are not a shape-shifting alien as I find you really attractive and would like to go to bed with you later." The young guard stared into Ben's eyes and tears welled up in his eyes as he slowly faded and changed into a Zenethian:

"I am sorry Ben Chatham. I am not human. I would like to spend the night with you however I fear that you will no longer like my appearance."

Before Ben could reply, a group of armed police officers ran through the castle doorway. One of them shot the alien dead.

Ben was annoyed:

"Why the hell did you do that? I was negotiating with him. You are trigger-happy idiots."

However slowly the policemen began to fade and change into........







..................ZYGONS!"



to be continued.