Clara & Me - Sentinel Of The Daleks

The Energy Trace

"Wow, neat spaceship you have here," complimented Clara as she and Me looked about PATHFINDER's impressive bridge. "Very 'Star Trek'."

From her control panel, Jane Lyon shot the two newcomers a puzzled look. "Star Trek?"

"Famous science-fiction series from the late 20th Century," clarified Captain Hisko, before turning back to face Clara and Me. "So, you've clearly been to Earth before. May I ask what you're doing all the way out here right on the edge of the known galaxy?"

"Just exploring," said Me sweetly. "I mean that is such a pretty planet out there, all those swirling colours. Isn't that the same reason you're out here?"

"Partly," admitted Hisko, deciding that since the expedition was public knowledge, there was no harm in giving the two ladies some details. "We're here to investigate the planet's ring system, as one of our probes detected some form of energy coming from inside the rocks."

"What kind of energy?" asked Clara, her curiosity peaked even more.

"We're unsure," replied Lyon. "But we think it could be some rare mineral like jethrik, and if it is, there could be enough power there for a hundred worlds."

Clara frowned. "So you're going to turn this beautiful planet into a mining facility. Not sure I like the sound of that."

"It's not our intention to vandalise the planet," assured Hisko. "Anyway, we were just bringing one of the rocks onboard to examine, when you appeared."

Me turned to glance at Lyon's computer console, looking at the readings coming through on the screen. "Is that the energy signature you detected?" she asked, pointing to a pulsing wavy blue line on the screen.

Lyon nodded. "Yeah, it sure is. And there's no further doubt, there's definitely some kind of power inside those rocks. However, there's not enough data to establish what could be causing it."

"Well Professor Andrews is looking over one of the asteroids now in the quarantine section," remarked Hisko. "Maybe he can come up with some answers."

Clara joined Me at the console and peered at the readings of the planet. "Wait a second," she said, staring at the readings. "There's a similar energy reading coming from the centre of Epsilon-Gamma."

Initially annoyed, Lyon looked at the console and stared at the scan results in surprise. "Hey, you're right. There is something down there. But how can you be sure it's the same form of energy as in the rocks?"

"Trust me, I've an instinct for this kind of thing," answered Clara as she pulled out a cylindrical device with a blue light from her inside jacket pocket. "If I can give your systems a boost, we might get a clearer reading."

Hisko tensed a little. "With that thing? What is that?"

"Don't worry it's harmless," smiled Clara. "It's a Sonic Screwdriver, based on one owned by an old friend of mine."

The Screwdriver buzzed and the computer panel lit up as new information began to flood the screen, adding to Lyon's bewilderment. "Whoa, Captain! I don't know how, but this lady has somehow increased the scanner range by a hundred percent! We're now detecting the same energy signature coming from the centre of the planet, but it's much more powerful than anything we're picking up from the orbiting rocks."

Hisko looked at the readings for himself. "Anything to suggest what's generating it?"

Lyon shook her head. "No, the atmosphere keeps distorting visual readings, even with this boost. I suggest we take a survey pod down there to take a look."

Hisko did not seem so sure about the idea. "It could be quite dangerous down there, Jane. You sure you want to take the risk and search?"

Now it was Lyon's turn to give a reassuring smile. "Investigation is the main reason we're out here, Cap. It's precisely what I've been trained for."

"All the same, I don't much fancy sending you down there alone," said Hisko.

"Then why don't I go down with her?" suggested Clara. "I've some experience with piloting spaceships and I could perhaps help with your scans again."

Hisko considered this, a bit reluctant to allow unknown civilians take part in a mission of this importance. However, he had no authority to hold these two ladies against their will and perhaps this Clara woman could indeed be of some use, if she was as experienced as she claimed.

"All right, Ms Oswald," he said at last. "You may take accompany Commander Lyon, but just remember that she will be the one in charge. And, ahem, I must request that your wife remain onboard."

"As insurance of good behaviour no doubt. Yeah, we know the routine," commented Me, turning to look at Clara. "Just take care down there, okay?"

Clara grinned and gave Me a peck on the cheek. "No worry, I'll be back before you know it. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?"

******

As landing party plans were being made on the bridge, things were afoot down below in the science lab, where Marc Andrews and his assistant, Mary Clarke, were examining the large rock taken from Epsilon-Gamma's rings. Dressed in full biohazard suits, they were busy running their own scans of the rock, trying to ascertain what it is made of, with frustrating results.

"You know, I may have to resign, cause I'm clearly failing to do my job properly," sighed Andrews as he read the latest scan results on his tablet. "I just can't identify the mineral this rock is made from. If I didn't know better, I'd say this is a form of artificial metal rather than a natural mineral."

"Shall I try and take a sample for analysis?" suggested Clarke helpfully.

"Yes, you do that Mary," agreed Andrews as he headed for the exit. "In the meantime, I better tell our glorious captain about our progress, or rather, lack of progress."

Andrews headed out to deliver his report, as Clarke took a laser scalpel and advanced on the giant-sized rock. But before she could cut off a piece, she was startled when a small opening appeared in the boulder and a camera-like lens emerged, peering right at her. Clarke should have been cautious, but curiosity got the better of her and she peered closer at the lens. Suddenly, a beam of light shot out of the lens, striking her right into her eyes and causing her to scream and collapse to the ground. For a minute she withered on the floor in pain, then her expression cleared and she stood up before the rock, rigid as a statue, her face void of any emotion.

"Contact established," she intoned like a machine.

"SATISFACTORY," came a monotone voice in her head. "YOU WILL RELAY THE PURPOSE OF YOUR MISSION TO ME. THEN YOU WILL PROCEED TO THE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM AND INFORM ME OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CREW."

"I obey," replied Clarke automatically, before proceeding to tell her new Master all about the PATHFINDER...