The Blazing Hour (audio story)

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The Blazing Hour was the two hundred and seventy fourth audio story in Big Finish's monthly range. It was written by James Kettle and featured Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and Mark Strickson as Turlough.

Publisher's summary

The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Turlough to a high-tech scientific installation on the planet Testament in the distant future. The human race have become intergalactic buccaneers, thanks to their ability to generate vast amounts of power for long-distance travel. Testament is the source of that power – and the Doctor has never quite understood how it works.

But experiments are underway on Testament - experiments with potentially explosive and devastating consequences. And even the Doctor may be too late to stop it.

With politicians and bureaucrats getting in the way, the race is on. Not to stop a disaster - but to save as many people as possible.

Plot

Part one

The Doctor and Turlough arrive at a scientific facility on the planet Testament - the mysterious source of the energy that powers the interstellar human empire.

Scientific Researcher Ms Ellison and Head Scientist Horoben are conducting experiments to increase Testament's energy output. Horoben is under pressure from Deputy Leader Violet Hardaker to produce results, but so far simulations have only led to the violent destruction of the facility.

The Doctor and Turlough join a VIP tour group led by tour guide Montgomery, one of Testament's indigenous inhabitants. Also on the tour is Fionn, a patriotic agri-business owner, and Deputy Leader Violet Hardaker, making an effort to mingle with her constituents.

The tour is treated to a macabre sight - a saboteur frozen in time in a Levison jar, on display for all to see.

During a video call with the Prime Minister, Violet Hardaker is pressured to boost Testament's energy outputs and profits to revitalise the Empire, which is experiencing an economic slump.

Slipping away from the tour, the Doctor gains access to the control deck and encounters Ellison at work. The Doctor poses as a Safety Assessor and discovers the source of Testament's power involves the unsustainable bending of time - using the Blinovitch Limitation Effect to generate massive amounts of energy.

Horoben enters, pulls a gun on the Doctor and forces Ellison to proceed with the experiment. Despite Ellison's protests, Horoben forces her to proceed with the next stage of the experiment - resulting in a massive explosion.

Part two

to be added

Cast

References

to be added

Notes

Alternate cover.

Continuity

to be added

External links