10

The TARDIS hummed and throbbed like the inside of the Doctor’s head. He was still groggy. Still in pain. Still trying not to be angry with Ali, and with himself for giving in to her and bringing her along.

‘I’m sorry,’ she was saying, ‘but they deserved their punishment. I should have killed them all.’

‘You only did what you thought was right,’ said the Doctor. ‘This is why I usually take humans as my companions. They have … well, they have humanity. Not all of them, I’ll give you that, but the ones I choose.’

Ali looked at the Doctor but said nothing.

‘That’s why I was reluctant to take you in the first place,’ the Doctor went on. ‘Not for your own safety, but for others. You Karkinians have a scary reputation, particularly the females, and having seen you in action I can see why. Remember what I told you when we first spoke, Ali? I’m not a warrior unless I have to be. It’s not my way.’

‘You killed the Starman.’

‘I didn’t kill him. I simply sent him back to where he can’t do any harm.’

‘But if I hadn’t saved you –’ There was bitterness in Ali’s voice.

‘I’ve somehow managed to survive for quite a long time without your help.’

‘You ungrateful –’

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’ The Doctor put up his hands in surrender. ‘You’re right. Thanks. You did save me. Without you I’d have had to – I don’t know – reboot again, or something, I suppose, and, yes, our goat-fish friend would probably have eaten the entire planet. So, yes, I will be eternally grateful to you. But your way, Ali … It’s too risky. I wouldn’t ever be able to go anywhere if I was worried you were going to go into a Karkinian war frenzy every time anyone looked at me funny.’

‘I can’t help it –’

‘Exactly. That’s my point. You’re from Karkinos. I thought maybe you were different. You are special, I’ll give you that. And you’re nearly as clever as me, but you’re also a warrior, and I can’t ask you to change that, because that’s what you were born to be. And the best place for you right now is back on Karkinos, looking after your family.’

‘I gave those humans a fright, though, didn’t I?’ said Ali, and she chuckled. ‘They won’t forget me in a hurry.’

‘They won’t ever forget you, Ali. You’re a star and you always will be. You’ll be their star. They’ll name a constellation after you, and add you to their zodiac along with the twins and the goat-fish. You’re my A-star girl.’