Two Turtle Doves
A short story by Steve Lake

Part of the Second Doctor Fiction collection
and also of The 12 Doctors of Christmas season

From the journal of Victoria Waterfield:

"... We had an odd interlude during our recent adventures. As usual, the Doctor was aiming for somewhere more relaxing and pleasurable than our previous stops, but of course we ended up in the most frightful trouble. I am of the opinion that either the Doctor or the TARDIS attracts it.

"We left the TARDIS to find ourselves in the middle of yet another battlefield. The lush green landscape was only slightly blighted by the marks of artillery, but the buildings of the settlement close by were badly damaged and burnt. There was that horrible battlefield smell in the air, harsh smoke and ripe decay. Jamie recognised it too and was keen, as was I, to leave in search of a more attractive destination. For once the Doctor seemed tempted, not liking the sound of the guns in the distance nor the sight of the ruined settlement, which I could tell had piqued his interest, when there was a screaming sound above us and with a terrific crash an object fell from the sky and broke open upon the ground mere yards from our own position ...

"We rushed over. The Doctor set to helping the survivors. But I was not prepared for what lay within the shattered craft. Giant armoured tortoises or turtles with claws and massive clamping jaws. They groaned and writhed pitiably and I felt sorry for them in spite of their fearsome appearance. Jamie and I held back while the Doctor examined them. "They're Chelonians," he said. "Young ones at that. They look quite badly hurt." With Jamie's help he pulled them free of the wreckage and taking some equipment from inside the capsule set about treating their injuries. To him they were living, suffering creatures, and the Doctor's compassion extends to all life - no matter how grotesque.

"But we were not the only ones to notice their arrival. From the ruins came people. They were dressed differently but were essentially the same as you or I. When they saw what had survived the crash they were very angry and seemed determined to destroy the helpless Chelonians. But the Doctor barred his path, and Jamie and I stood by him, though I could see fear and rage in their eyes. These Chelonian people were obviously the cause of their suffering. The Doctor started to exchange angry words with the leader of the mob, a short dark-haired man with the scars of battle on his face and arms. He shoved the Doctor aside and the crowd pressed closer and violence seemed inevitable and I feared we would bear the brunt of it ...

"But the Doctor was indomitable. Leaping to his feet he raised his arms he yelled something at the top of his voice and the crowd stilled at once. He pointed down at the shivering, terrified creatures. "Look at them! They're mere children! Would you kill a helpless child? Would you? Or you?" He pointed at individual members of the mob, who shrank back which each stab of his finger. But the scarred man would not be so easily moved. His face was dark with rage - and murder. "They killed my children! Why shouldn't I equal the score?" He leapt forward but Jamie grappled with him. The mob regained some of its bloodlust and surged forward again. I feared not even the Doctor could save the situation this time ...

"Then the sun was blotted from the sky and a ship appeared as if from nowhere, its engines a mere whisper on the breeze. The mob started to scatter, screaming, as a ramp opened and more of the tortoise people, bigger, armoured and carrying weaponry, leapt out and began to surround them. Weapons were raised and battle looked set to commence ...

"But the Doctor showed no fear, and immediately set to taking charge of the situation once more. He shouted at the top of his voice to the creatures from the ship, and one of them, with the symbols of rank of some kind on its shell, stepped forward. It regarded the Doctor coldly with its beady eyes, but it appeared ready to listen to him ... at least for a moment.

"He explained: "General, why are you attacking these people? They have just rescued these two children. This man," and he pulled the scarred man to his feet, "himself pulled them clear and with his friends treated their injuries. They saved their lives, and is this the way you reward the saviours of childrens lives? With death and destruction?"

"I could not believe it at first, but thinking back it was a typical gesture on the Doctor's part. He and Jamie had pulled the creatures from the wreckage, and the Doctor had treated their wounds, yet he was giving credit to a man who earlier had tried to kill them ... and most likely us into the bargain. The man gaped at the Doctor, but seemed to realise the folly of denying it. The Chelonian leader studied the Doctor for a moment and turned to his doctor who was examining the children. "They are alive, Commander," he said, "and all thanks to these humans!"

"The Commander considered this for a moment, then nodded. "It seems I owe the lives of my children to you, humans. I am ... grateful, to you." He bowed towards the Doctor and the scarred man, whom the Doctor had prodded to his feet. The man hesitated, then replied: "You're ... welcome."

"Before anyone knew what was happening the Doctor was suddenly acting as a go between for some impromptu peace talks! While the children were carried on board to have their wounds properly treated the Doctor and the scarred man accompanied the commander back into his ship and were not seen for several hours. Jamie and I went to the settlement with the other people and they looked after us with a warmth and kindness I could scarcely have believed earlier. Of the conditions of their dwellings I can use only one word - grim. Little wonder they feared the Chelonians so much! But they seemed cheerful in spite of their troubles, and it was only until I heard one of them make the traditional greeting - "Merry Christmas!" - that I realised why ...

"Eventually the Doctor returned. He told us the Chelonian infants were recovering well, and neither would ever attempt to steal a shuttle again. We pressed him on the matter of the peace talks, and he explained that an understanding had been reached between the two parties and a cease-fire declared. The other settlements would be contacted in due course, "but the signs for a peaceful settlement are very, very hopeful," he said with a satisfied smile.

"Jamie seemed surprised. "All because you - I mean 'they' - saved two wee bairns?" The Doctor nodded. "Jamie, the saving of a child's life - even your enemy's - is about as noble a thing as you could ever do." He looked into the horizon, his face shadowed briefly. "The children are our future ... as they learn from us, we can learn from them." Then he clapped his hands and bundled us back to the TARDIS, as he did when he felt things were running smoothly enough to work out for themselves. He later told me that the Chelonians and the humans would indeed become friends ... and possibly this was the beginning of that friendship.

"On our way back I told the Doctor that the people had been celebrating Christmas. He laughed. "Of course! That makes perfect sense ... remember the song? "Twelve Days of Christmas"? Second verse?" He pulled out his recorder and began to play. I sang softly: "On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me ... two turtle doves ..." I looked at him and he winked. "The dove of peace can take many forms," he said. "Especially at Christmas."

"And this was one Christmas memory I will remember forever more..."

