Doctor Who and the Flame of Terric Boew
Created | Updated Jan 5, 2004
Part Three
'But I tell ye, we're no spies, or snapes or whatever it was you called us. We're just travellers,' insisted Jamie, trying to ignore his aching skull. Both he and Zoe lay in the back of the transport craft,
restrained.
'So how did you get in then? This place is surrounded by a protective shield. A barrier, if you like,' Rotfeld said.
Jamie glanced at Zoe, the direness of their situation countering his natural caution. 'We travelled here in the TARDIS,' he said quietly.
'No vehicle can penetrate the shield. The only people who get in are snapes like you, who burrow under it,' Rotfeld said, his patience clearly close to exhaustion.
'It's not an ordinary vehicle. It's a… it's a time machine,' said Zoe.
'A time machine!' laughed one of the officers, along with the rest of the soldiers – all but the major.
Rotfeld stayed quiet. He had heard murmurings about time travel experiments, but didn't want to say anything until he could return to base and consult with his superior officers. Could the Philippinos have
developed a time machine?
'I don't want to hear another word from you until we get back to base,' he ordered.
'But…' Jamie said.
'Whether you arrive conscious or not is up to you,' Rotfeld said, raising his pistol.
Jamie bowed his head and said nothing.
'Good. Now let's get back to base.'
The vehicle flew towards Terric Boew.
The Doctor continued to tinker within the complex internal workings of the TARDIS. 'No,' he sighed, getting up from under the console, 'it's not that, either. But if it's not that, then what could it be?
'I wish Jamie and Zoe were here.'
The Doctor had often thought to himself that one of the chief benefits of having companions with him
is that it allowed him to hear his ideas from another person's perspective. Quite frequently one of his
companions would fill in the gaps, and allow him to find his solution. He feared for the day when he would
be alone in his travels.
'Maybe that's what I need, a bit of company and some fresh air. I'll go and have a look around
outside and see if things seem a little clearer. If only I knew what time we're in…'
A horrible thought struck the Doctor, as if re-awakening some long forgotten memory. A lesson taught
to him. A lesson in the science of time travel.
'Time… could it be? Hmm…'
He rolled the idea around in his head. But frustratingly the memory faded, as quickly as it arrived. He
put his finger to his lip, trying to concentrate, but it was no use. He shook his head, sighed, and came to a
conclusion.
'I think I'll go for a walk.'
He pulled the lever to let himself out of the TARDIS, and walked out of the double doors.
There was a building. It had been built many years earlier, when thoughts of the current war which
would encompass the planet Earth were still that – thoughts. Built in a time of wealth, of decadence, and
of great art. It was a gothic structure, which stood on the top of a large hill. The structure itself
however added considerably to the hill, raising to almost to the stature of a mountain – almost, but not
quite.
Terric Boew rose over a thousand feet from the ground it was built upon. The building had been added
to in the hundreds of years since, with the surrounding hills and land around it rising up from their
heights to join the immense structure, but the original dark centrepiece stood as strong as ever. Almost
like a cathedral it stood with spirals, columns, gargoyles, and long dead legends all attached with curved
and swirled patterns around the stone structure.
Stone had long since been replaced in the world of construction by many types of alloy, but it was
deemed appropriate that this building be designed with such materials. An artist's prerogative, as it
were.
The designers were not evil. But what would go on inside the structure might easily be placed in that
category. In the years since, unspeakable experiments that would cause the most atrocious side effects
took place. Experiments to 'improve', to allow 'progress', to further the cause of the Human race. This
sadly was Terric Boew's legacy.
The building was first a research facility, but it would quickly grow beyond that. It became a
military installation. A city of warriors and scientists and politicians all striving for military success. A
place that well reflected the grim faces of those legends past.
Terric Boew had become a feared name for anyone who would oppose the force to whom it belonged.
It had always looked as though nothing would change.
However something was wrong. Something was changing. The masters of Terric Boew were
faltering. They had already lost vast swathes of Australasia, and this was worrying the military chiefs at
the heart of the fortress.
'I must apologise, Minister. We are doing all that we can with the resources available, but our
augmentted soldiers are still not strong enough to go into battle.' General Chan Carrick looked
apologetic.
The Minister for Justice was in Terric Boew to keep an eye on his projects and motivate the military.
He briefly caught his reflection in a reflective surface. He was in awe of his own power. Convinced of his
incredible intelligence. He was also incredibly vain. Icelandic in origin, Magnus Greel had incredibly
blond hair by their standards.
Magnus Greel also had a devastating temper.
'I don't understand. I have provided you with all the technology you need. Terric Boew is the most
powerful city-fortress in the world, no, the Galaxy! And even with all this, you can still fail to produce
the results I require!' Greel roared. 'Must you suffer the same fate as your predecessor? To be sent to
Melkwael Island too, to be tortured? To be taught the errors of your ways? Please tell, this is not what
you wish – because by not giving me the troops we require in the next few days that is exactly what you
are telling me.'
The General, who was a veteran of many campaigns, and had given a fair share of tongue lashings
himself in his time, lowered his head. 'I will do as you ask,' General Carrick said quietly.
'See that you do. And what news of these intruders?'
General Carrick was stunned. He was unaware that Greel knew of the two intruders. He was relieved
however to be able to give him a positive response. 'They are on their way to be interrogated as we
speak.'
'Good. There may be hope for you yet.' Greel moved over towards one of the view screens, as
something caught his eye. “Or perhaps not...”
The General walked over to look at what Greel had caught sight of. It was the Doctor.
'Another intruder?' asked Greel mildly. 'This is becoming embarrassing, Carrick. Terric Boew stands
impregnable for a hundred years, and then we have three intruders in one day?'
The General quickly tried to regain his composure. 'This is just a temporary problem. It will be solved
immediately.'
'It had better be, Carrick. It had better be!'
Doctor Who and the Flame of Terric Boew
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