h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Raxaar frowned behind his back and pulled a lever as the light bean to pulse faster the Doctor felt a terrible pain grow throughout his body.







"You have gone to extremes to try and disrput our plans Doctor" Xinal hissed, his voice was quiet but it still managed to carry over the throbbing of the machine, "I feel it is only polite to kill you in the most unpleasent manner possible"








"I've heard that one before" the Doctor informed the hulking Martian through clenched teeth,







"And so has your companion I take it, but she's still going to die as well" The Doctor unscrewed his eyes and lifted his head as far as possible to glare at Xinal,







"What have you done with Peri?"








"The girl is currently in one of the service chambers that are attached to the ventilation duts of this ship," it was Raxaar talking now, "As you know, we breath carbon dioxide, whereas humans rely on oxygeon"





"So you're going to suffocate her, is that it?"










"Oh yes Doctor, but don't worry about her, her death will be quiet painless, whereas yours on the other hand will contain pain you can't even imagine!"






"Its time to die!" Raxaar hissed as he reached for the final lever on the control panel. He did'nt have time to complete the action when the whole ship rocked from side to side.





"Whats going on!" Xinal roared over the noise.







Raxaar spoke into a communicator. "What is happening!" he demanded.








"Sir, were under attack! Rutan forces... overwhelming numbers!" Suddenly the wariors voice was cut off. "








You and your bungling!" Xinal roared at Raxaar.









Raxaar shut off the machine and turned on a viwescreen showing Peri. "We have other matters to attend to Doctor, you may watch your companion die!" Raxaar said and he and Xinal strode out.







The flagship of the Martian fleet plowed onwards through the choas ensuing around it. A squadron of Rutan bombers sped over its surface, firing proton torpedoes at the green hull. As they neared the command tower a group of Martian fighters rose from one of the docking bays and persude them.








Meanwhile Rutan battlecruisers engaged Martian warrockets in firefights. One ship was blown clean in half and its front section collided with another of the ships.








Several craft's engines cut out and they plunged down through Earth's atmosphere and with hull breaches they were little more than ash molecules when they hit the ground.











A few squadrons of brave Earth security ships appeared and attempted to join in the fight but were broken up within moments and forced to fight for their lives.





And all the time, the Martian flagship was still closing in on its prey. The people of Earth.







Raxaar stood on thebridge of the lead ship as it entered Earths orbit.







"Prepare to fire!" he ordered. The crew got to ther posts and began charging up the weapons.








"Weapons now functioning at maximum effiency!" one of hs warriors reported.






"Prepare to fire!" he ordered. The sounds of weapons fire rangthroughout the ship as purple sonic bombardments headed for Earth.





* * * * *






Peri lent forwards and stared helplessly at the main viewscreen on the bridge of Raxaar's ship as it showed the entire space opera unfold around them.









"Get down Peri!" the Doctor shouted as he lent forwards slightly further in his seat and twisted a collection of dials on the control panels, "I need to see what I'm doing"








"Well the screen's big enough" she pointed out,









"I know, I know, but you're distracting me!" he squinted at the screen again before his eyes widened in horror,








"What is it Doctor?" Peri asked, her voice was much quieter now,








"Look" the Doctor gestured to the screen. Sonic bombardments were being laid down on Earth from the flagship of the Martian fleet.










"We've got to stop them!"










"Agreed. Peri, open communication channels with the Martian flagship. Peri gestured helplessly and stared at the web of instruments infront of her. "The big purple switch" the Doctor pointed to it, his irritation more than evident. Peri depressed the switch and Raxaar's head appeared on one of the smaller viewscreens above their heads.







"Ah, Doctor. I've been wanting to have a word..."



"And let me guess, the first question is; how did myself and Peri escape?"







"That was to be one of my first queries" Raxaar agreed. The Doctor smiled and opened his mouth to explain but thought better of it.







"To much to explain in to little time, some other time perhaps"







"That as may be Doctor but can your please return my, somewhat damaged, ship?"









"I'm afraid I may have to" the Doctor agreed, "Only the whole things falling apart" a console worryingly close to Peri exploded in a fountain of yellow sparks as if to emphasise his point, "And I can't let you wipe out the poeple of Earth"








"Genocide Doctor?" Raxaar let out what was probably the Martian explivalant of a laugh, "I'm afraid not, you see we will only kill until the people of Earth surrender. You on the other hand are of no further use, goodbye" The screen went blank and a deadly sonic bombardment sped twoards their ship.

To Be Continued...