Division Belle
A short story by Mark Simpson

Part of the Eighth Doctor Fiction collection
and seventh in the Division Series

"Welcome aboard the stellar cruise liner Galactic Belle. This is your Captain speaking. We have now left the orbit of Antares and, over the next few days, we will be passing the inner planets of the system. After swinging around the sun, we will proceed to the outer reaches of the system, taking in such sights as the asteroid belt, the giant twin planets Hercules and Apollo and the rings of Taurus. The cruise will terminate at Edge Station in four weeks from now. We hope you enjoy your cruise and that you'll choose Galactic again."

***

Shrieking its noisy arrival, a blue box began to materialise in a shadowy corner of the cargo hold of the Galactic Belle. As the noise died, along with the flashing light on top, the door opened and a man and a woman stepped out.

The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with collar length chestnut curls. He wore a green velvet frock coat, grey cravat and grey flannel trousers. The woman was in her early thirties, with short dark hair, a black T-shirt and blue jeans.

The man looked around with interest. "A cargo bay," he announced. "You know, Sheri, I could write a paper on the various types of spaceship cargo areas."

"You land in them often then, Doctor?"

The Doctor nodded. "Almost as often as I land in trouble."

This caused Sheri to chuckle. Together, they set off across the hold, looking for a doorway.

They found one that led into a long, metal corridor. This in turn led into another corridor, this one carpeted. Both were deserted.

The Doctor took in the carpeting and art deco light fittings with an expert eye. "I would guess this is some sort of cruise ship," he concluded.

"Good, I could do with a bit of relaxation," Sheri told him.

The corridor led them into a large room with dim lighting. A row of floor to ceiling windows dominated the far end. A number of people, passengers presumably, were either sat around the centre of the room or stood by the windows, taking in the view.

The Doctor and Sheri moved over to an unoccupied window. Outside, the ship was passing close to a small, dark world, pitted with craters. A smaller moon could be seen in orbit.

"It's magnificent," Sheri whispered, enjoying the view. Then she frowned. "What's that?"

A light, like a large star, had come from behind the moon and was heading towards them.

The Doctor looked grim. "That, my dear, is trouble!"

***

Captain Teric looked around his small crew, then back to the Galactic Belle on the forward screen.

"Everybody ready?" he asked loudly.

"Aye, sir!" they replied as one.

Teric slapped his navigator on the shoulder. "All ahead, ramming speed!"

***

The light had grown until it became a small but ugly ship. It was still heading straight for the Belle.

"Who are they?" Sheri wanted to know.

"Pirates," said the Doctor quietly.

"Pirates?" echoed his companion. "I thought space pirates were a product of bad science fiction."

"You'll probably find that most science fiction concepts, good or bad, have some basis in fact," he told her.

"So they'll try and board us, to loot the treasure in the hold?"

He shook his head. "Nothing so crude. A ship like this will attract the wealthy and successful. The sort of people who, despite being on a cruise, never really stop working. The pirates will have a specific target, probably valuable data or a rare and precious item. They'll be under contract to whoever wants it. They'll probably take a few extra items, to sell and boost their own personal funds."

"Organised then," Sheri commented.

"Very. Doesn't mean they're not dangerous if crossed."

"I'll bear that in mind," she promised.

***

The pirate ship cut through the Galactic Belle's minimal meteorite shields with ease. At full speed, it ploughed into the side of the cruise liner.

The Belle's auto systems quickly reacted to seal the hull breach around the other ship. However, the pointed nose of the pirate ship opened like a flower into the engine compartment, disgorging its crew onto the liner.

Captain Teric looked over his team. "Brent and Schol, go and turn over the targets cabin. Report to me when you find the item. The rest of you with me. Let's get ourselves some extra spends."

"Aye, sir," they chorused, splitting into two groups and setting off to cause mayhem.

***

The impact had sent a shudder through the liner. Somewhere in the distance, an alarm was ringing.

"This is your Captain speaking. We have collided with another vessel. A distress call has been sent. The authorities will be here soon. Please remain calm."

"That's easy for him to say, locked safely on the bridge," commented one passenger loudly.

"Should we do anything?" Sheri asked the Doctor quietly.

The Doctor frowned. "Much as it pains me to ignore such a situation, it's probably best dealt with by the local authorities."

"So, what happens next?"

"Presumably the pirates will take what they want and go."

A young, non-descript man next to them coughed slightly. "They'll be coming here," he said.

Sheri turned to him. "How do you know that?"

He shrugged. "Because they're looking for me!"

The Doctor was suddenly standing between the man and Sheri. He smiled at their new acquaintance.

"Hello, I'm the Doctor and this is my friend, Sheri."

"Adam Wilkinson," he said.

The Doctor shook his hand vigorously. "Now, Adam, why do you think these pirates are after you?"

"Because I have what they want. A microchip containing design specifications for a revolutionary new weapons system."

The Doctor shook his head sadly. "Why is it always weapons?" he asked quietly.

"Hey, I'm not selling them! I stole the chip from the Antares Corporation, to stop it being used."

"And you think this Antares Corporation might have sent the pirates to get it back?" Sheri asked.

"I'm sure of it," Wilkinson replied.

"Did you leave this chip in your cabin?" the Doctor inquired.

Wilkinson shook his head. "I thought it safer to keep it on me."

The Doctor nodded absently. "Very wise."

"What will they do when they can't find the chip?" Sheri asked the Doctor. "I suppose it's too much to ask that they would just give up and leave."

"No chance of that, sadly," the Doctor replied. "They'll start checking out the passengers next."

***

Captain Teric was under the pink bubble of the main observation suite, demanding credit chips with menaces, when the call came through on his wrist communicator.

"This is Brent, Captain. Target cabin is clean."

Teric cursed. He much preferred the simple grab and leave jobs. Oh, well, they would have to change tactics.

"CREW!" he bellowed. When he knew he had their attention, he continued slightly quieter. "This has become a seek and locate mission. You know who we want and what he looks like. So go fetch, boys!"

***

The Doctor, Sheri and Adam were the only ones in the observation lounge who were expecting the arrival of the pirates.

They were a scruffy bunch in general. They dressed in comfortable, loose clothing. They wore dark jackets, to which were pinned a large variety of badges. They all carried mean looking energy weapons.

One of the pirates, presumably the leader, also had an authentic looking sword hanging from his belt and an eye patch, which was probably for effect. He spoke.

"Right, you lot. We're looking for a man call Adam Wilkinson." He pressed a device on his wrist and a hologram of Adam appeared next to him. "Help us and we leave. Hinder us and be shot. Your choice!"

Before either the Doctor or Sheri could stop him, Adam stepped forward. "I'm here. Just don't hurt any innocent people."

"There was no need to do that," the Doctor said. "I would have thought of something."

Wilkinson shook his head. "Better they get what they want and leave the passengers alone."

Teric was striding towards them. He was a big man, not fat but solidly built. He glowered at Wilkinson.

"Adam Wilkinson, where is the chip you took?"

Wilkinson smiled at the pirate. "It's in my cabin."

He didn't see Teric's fist, it moved so fast. The first thing Wilkinson knew was the explosion of pain in his jaw, followed by the lesser pain in his backside as it connected hard with the deck.

Teric glared down at him. "I'll ask once more, nicely. Where is the chip?"

The Doctor helped Wilkinson to his feet. "At least give him a moment to collect his thoughts."

Teric turned his attention to the Time Lord. "Did I give you leave to speak?"

The Doctor paused for a moment, as if considering the question. "No, I don't believe you did. But then, I never asked for it."

The pirate swung his fist again. This time, however, it was stopped short of its intended target when it thudded into the Doctor's open palm.

Teric exerted more strength to try and move the fist, but it was firmly held. The Doctor made a tutting noise.

"Now, that's not very nice, is it?"

Teric grinned nastily. "Neither is this." He had unsheathed his sword with the other hand and now held the blade at the Doctor's throat.

The Doctor gulped. "Maybe I should release you," he decided.

"If you want to keep your head on your shoulders, Pretty Boy."

Sheri let out a sigh of relief as the Doctor let go of the pirate's fist. In return, Teric stepped away, but still kept the Doctor at sword point.

"My patience grows thin, Wilkinson. The chip." He held out a large hand towards the young man.

Wilkinson shook his head. "You'll have to take me too. I had it surgically implanted in my neck, at the top of the spine."

Teric nodded. "Acceptable. Our client wanted you returned as well. Cantel!" he shouted. "Escort our new guest back to the ship."

"No, wait!" the Doctor said. "There must be another way."

Teric moved the sword to the Doctor's throat. "There is another way. I can cut you a new mouth. Would you like that?"

"No, thank you," the Doctor replied politely.

"Don't worry about me," Wilkinson called to the Doctor and Sheri as he was led away. "It is the final solution."

Teric removed his sword and bowed slightly to the Doctor. "You were an interesting distraction, Pretty Boy. That's why I let you live."

"You're too kind," the Doctor muttered as the pirate captain followed his crew and prisoner from the lounge.

"What did Adam mean about the final solution?" Sheri asked.

"I don't know," the Doctor replied. "But I intend to find out. Come on, let's get back to the TARDIS."

***

The Doctor stood over the TARDIS console, his fingers flying. It didn't take long for the time rotor at the centre to engage, indicating they were in flight.

"Where are we going?" Sheri asked.

The Doctor grinned. "Straight into the lion's den. I'm going to land us aboard the pirate ship!"

***

Teric looked around his motley crew. "Good work, lads. I'm sure the client will reward us with a bonus."

The crew cheered. Nearby, Adam Wilkinson stood chained hand and foot. He seemed strangely calm.

"We're free of the liner, Captain," reported the helmsman.

"Good. Set course for Antares."

Wilkinson smiled. Then he closed his eyes and concentrated.

***

The time rotor sighed to rest. The Doctor operated the scanner control.

Sheri took in the view of boxes and barrels scattered about. "Another cargo bay. I see what you mean."

The Doctor smiled slightly. "Come on, we have to find Adam."

They turned away from the scanner, which was a good thing as it was suddenly filled with an explosion of light which, if it hadn't burnt out their optic nerves, could have severely damaged them.

When it was safe to look again, all that could be seen was space, a nearby moon and small pieces of debris floating past.

"What happened?" Sheri wanted to know.

The Doctor looked grim. "Adam's final solution. He must have had an explosive device fitted when he had the chip implanted. Probably triggered by thinking a code word or phrase."

"But we could have rescued him!" she protested.

"He didn't know that. He had only just met us."

"Can't we..?" Sheri began.

The Doctor cut her off. "No. Using the TARDIS to go back to before the explosion would create a paradox. Paradoxes are dangerous, as I know only too well."

Unshed tears were forming in Sheri's eyes. "If only he could have waited."

The Doctor nodded, putting a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Some people are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for what they believe in. That takes courage. Adam Wilkinson was a brave young man."

The two friends stood in silence for a few minutes before the Doctor began re-setting the co-ordinates.

***

"This is your Captain speaking. As you will have no doubt seen, the pirate ship has exploded. There is no danger to the Galactic Belle. All breaches have been sealed. The authorities will be arriving shortly to take statements. After that we will be returning to Antares for repair. We hope this incident didn't spoil your cruise."

