Doctor Who: Engines of War By George Mann Book Review

Classic Who meets new series. That's the best way to describe this epic novel from the pen of George Mann. When we were first introduced to the war Doctor in the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor he was very much a bridge between old and new Who. He was the unknown Doctor who fought in the Time War and very little was known about him, and truth be told this is still the case.  This novel tells the story of the events leading to the War Doctor's decision to use the moment and thus end the war. Some people have said that it would be better off if we left the Time War safe in our imaginations,  but I disagree and remain very glad that we've been given this unique glance into a period that the Doctor himself would rather forget. The novel reads like a cross between the five Doctors and one or two entries in the Virgin New Adventures range, specifically Blood Harvest and Damaged goods. If you've ever been fascinated by the Time War this novel is probably what you've been waiting for.

Yours in Writing
Jez Cartner

Little Girl Lost

Doctor who fan fiction.Based on information in the SJA episode Death to the Doctor in which a former companion of the good Doctor by the name of Dorothy is said to be running a charity named A Charitable Earth. Doctor Who is of course copy right BBC and not to be reproduced.

                The office was quiet and still. The last of the volunteers had left for the evening, and Dorothy had been left to lock up. Not that she minded this though; she actually looked forward to it. While she found the work she was doing very rewarding, it was literally worlds away from the world she once led. She cherished these few hours in the evening because they gave her the opportunity to relax and get in touch with the person she had once been.

            Dorothy glanced out the window and with a chill saw that the battered old police box she’d noticed earlier that day was still there. She gave a wry smile. It was just like him to drop in now she’d officially left that life behind. It was true she had often thought of him, attempting to imagine what mischief he was getting up to without her. A quiet voice from behind her suddenly disturbed the silence, as if diving into a pond of recently awakened memories.

  “Hello Ace.”

  “Professor.” She replied and turned to face her visitor. He was literally a different man than the time lord she had spent all those years travelling with, but there was no doubting this was the Doctor. He was sitting in the chair she herself usually occupied, looking a good deal younger than when she had last seen him. He was wearing a long brown coat, brown trousers and trainers on his feet. He had thin spiky hair and, incredibly, his eyes were made him appear older and wiser which of course contrasted with his youthful appearance.

  “It’s been a long time Ace.”

  “Almost a lifetime in fact.” She agreed

  “You haven’t any cans of nitro nine hidden around here by any chance?”

            She chuckled at the reference. “No, you can relax. I gave that up a long time ago.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Her expression hardened for a moment.

  “Why are you here professor?”

  “You could say I’m getting my reward.”

  “Your reward?”

  “It’s complicated. A lot has happened since we last saw each other.”

  “For both of us.”

  “I’ve been meaning to come and see you for some time but, well you know how it is. I’ll be honest though finding you running a charity is the last thing I expected to find you doing.”

  “I suppose it would have been more in character with the Ace of old to blow it up rather than to run it, I don’t know somehow this seemed right for me.” She paused, gathering her thoughts before proceeding.

  “For a while I attempted to carry on doing what we always had, you know travelling around saving planets, overthrowing dictatorships, but I felt I was just trying to re-create your life when you’re more than capable of living it yourself. I still wanted to make a difference, but I wanted to do it on my own terms. When this opportunity suddenly presented itself I grabbed it with both hands.”

  “You’ve done well, from what I understand. I like the name by the way, A Charitable Earth. Rather appropriate.” She grinned.

  “Yeah, ironic isn’t it.”

            For a moment the Doctor made no reply. Dorothy braced herself. She knew the Doctor had a reason for coming to see her, but wasn’t quite sure if she was ready to hear what he had to say.

  “I never had a chance to apologize for everything I put you through while we were together. At the time I thought I was doing the right thing but now I realize it wasn’t fair on you, and well I’m sorry.”

            Dorothy turned away, confused by the emotion that suddenly overwhelmed her. In the past whenever she had been confronted by conflicting emotions she would attempt to cover it with bluster and aggression. It was a character trait she was yet to out grow.

  “Like I told you a long time ago I’m not a little girl anymore and I can take care of myself.” Her voice softened. “But thank you.”

            She smiled and turned back, but the Doctor was gone.

            The girl who once referred to herself as Ace sat down and silently thanked the Doctor for his timely visit. While the path she had chosen for herself could be seen to be an unusual choice, but she was certain it was the right path for her. She smiled and sat back and waited for her future to claim her. Tomorrow was indeed a new day.

END

A Perfect Transition

NOTES: Yet another piece of fan fiction featuring the good Doctor. This story is set before his triumphant return in the 2005 episode Rose and the Doctor feels retirement is the only way forward. Who is the best person to persuade him otherwise? Why himself of course. Once again the good Doctor is property of the BBC and not to be re-produced. A little bit of fun.


The Doctor stared around the console room and did his best to remember the last time the TARDIS had been this empty. He was of course used to having someone around to interact with and as he was now very much on his own he was beginning to feel extremely lonely. After his recent perilous adventures the strain was also starting to show. Unfortunately it seemed that destiny had no intentions for him to stop and rest, he had recently traced the Nestene Conscience to Earth and he knew another invasion attempt was definitely on the cards. What was troubling him at the moment was he was beginning to wonder whether the Earth was worth saving. He didn't like admitting it, but this time he was tempted to sit back and just let nature take it's course.
"Thinking of our past sins?" A cheerful voice asked. "Because if you are then I should think you have plenty to choose from."
Startled the Doctor spun around and found himself face to face with what at first appeared to be a bizarre cross between Wild Bill Hickcock and Charlie Chaplin. The man in front of him had a mop of curly hair, wore a velvet frock coat and a cheerful grin that was strangley addictive. If didn't take much to work out he was being visited by his past self.

The Doctor's immediate predecessor shoved his hands in his pockets and began exploring the TARDIS.
"I say I like what you've done with the old girl, very organic. Whereas I was aiming for the Wellsian look you seem to have taken your cue from Gardeners international!"
The Doctor sighed and sat down, smoothing out his leather jacket as he did so.
"I hope you don't think I'm being rude." He said. "But seeing as though you're not actually here I've decided not to acknowledge you, that alright?"
"Come on old chap, there's no need to be like that. I know I only exist now in your mind but you could at least listen to what I have to say."
The Doctor looked up at him, a bored look on his face. "Alright then, let's hear it."
"I know you've had a tough time lately." The eighth Doctor began. "Remember I was there as well, after all that's why you're now in charge and I'm not. It's been tough I can't deny it, but you just can't quit!" The Doctor rounded on him angrily.
"Why not? We might as well not bother. There's nothing left that I care about, it's all gone!"
"What do you mean?"
"Our world is gone, don't you understand? Blown away in some pointless war! We chose to go on the run all those years ago, we were even branded a renegade by our own people but the point is Gallifrey was always there! We still had a home, now there's nothing left but a floating pile of ash!"
"That's true, but don't you think we owe it to Gallifrey to carry on? I believe our people perished because of their policy of non-intervention, something which we have never agreed with, that's why we left in the first place. We both know there will always be evil in the universe, and I personally believe we can still make a difference." He paused, and then gave one of his annoying grins. "You never know you might even start to enjoy yourself!"

The Doctor was silent for a moment and then gave his predecessor a manic smile.
"You're right." He turned to the console and began frantically working the controls. "After all after two previous attempts you'd think the Nestenes would be able to take a hint!" He turned back to his other self, to find that he was once more alone in the TARDIS.

Again The Doctor stared around the console room, and somehow it didn't feel quite so empty. Even though he was travelling on his own, it appeared he was never on his own. He grinned as the TARDIS came to a stand still with it's traditional groan and he strode through the doors with a new found confidence, The Doctor was about to make a difference.