INVASION OF THE CAT-PEOPLE.

by Gary Russell.

For Gary and Grayson with more love . . . well, you get the idea Introduction

Yes, it's that time again, when the tedious author decides to rabbit on unnecessarily and bore you rigid. Promise not to go on as long this time - but this book could not see print without some very important acknowledgements.

Firstly, the entire book came to mind after meeting and falling madly into friendship with Anneke Wills, whose beliefs, fears, loves and pa.s.sions both inspired me and equalled so many of my own. And whose life across the Atlantic means that we are bereft of her company in Britain for too long. Come back soon!

Secondly, a group of people who helped me research so much of the background and without whom none of it would have even veered towards the accurate (and I hope they forgive me for Doctor Who Doctor Who-izing the facts to fit the fiction): Jean Riddler explained all things ley-ish; Ian Martin provided me with maps of the world before, during and after continental shifts; Mark Ayres patiently explained acoustics to me, a total ignoramus when it comes to anything acoustic; Jamie Woolley took me to c.u.mbria and his parents' gorgeous farmhouse on the coast which I have cheerfully rebuilt into a manor house but the general locale is the same - the story's genesis, therefore, is down to him.

Extra special thanks to Porl Cooper for supplying all things mystic, angelic and beautiful. Polly's tarot reading on page 162 was done by him. I picked the cards and shaped subsequent events surrounding Polly and Tim's characters as a result - although the number of coincidences was astonishing. A real case of the characters writing the book, methinks.

For their help in researching the real backgrounds to Ben Jackson and Polly Wright amongst other Who Who-things, Marcus Hearn and Andrew Pixley. Polly Wright's surname is not my invention: it was given in Gerry Davis's character breakdown and audition script sample when, as story editor, he and producer Innes Lloyd created Ben and Polly in 1966.

The fact that the name is the same as Barbara's, from a couple of years earlier in the show's history, is probably coincidental and further strengthens my belief that when Davis first came to Doctor Who Doctor Who he wasn't particularly he wasn't particularly au au fait fait with its history - hence his repeated use of with its history - hence his repeated use of Doctor Doctor Who Who as the character's name: as the character's name: The War Machines The War Machines (Doctor Who is required'), (Doctor Who is required'), The Highlanders The Highlanders (Doctor von Wer') and (Doctor von Wer') and The Underwater Menace The Underwater Menace (Dr W.'). Despite that, the Lloyd/Davis run on (Dr W.'). Despite that, the Lloyd/Davis run on Who Who provided us with Season Four, wherein this adventure is set and, for me, remains the finest season of all the Sixties run. provided us with Season Four, wherein this adventure is set and, for me, remains the finest season of all the Sixties run.

Immeasurable help also came from the Australian gang - representatives of the most wonderful continent in the world! In no particular order: Fiona, Todd, Kate (still a fiery Pakhar), Nathan, Sarah, Mel, Neil, Lucy, Stephen and Steven.

Also, Paul Vyse who kept my head together when I most needed it. And gave me all that mud! Oh, and Simon Burney for being all the inmates at Wentworth rolled into one. And not forgetting Simon Sadler who had to put up with me traipsing around Oz trying to research everything Aboriginal.

Most importantly: John Ainsworth who always deserved better than he got.

And an extra special mention for Scibus and Mister PeeCee - who took friendship, fun and The Monster of The Monster of Peladon Peladon above and beyond the call and without whose time, patience and company this story would have no roots at all. above and beyond the call and without whose time, patience and company this story would have no roots at all.

Frock on, kids!

Foreword.

So, there I was, travelling around Mexico when my friend Gary Russell asked me to write an introduction to his new Doctor Who Doctor Who book. Not only do I consider this an honour, it also goes to show that I am somehow strangely connected with this show more than any other. And then I have to say I am not surprised, because magic happens around the whole thing of book. Not only do I consider this an honour, it also goes to show that I am somehow strangely connected with this show more than any other. And then I have to say I am not surprised, because magic happens around the whole thing of Doctor Who Doctor Who that continues on and on - into the next century even! that continues on and on - into the next century even!

And isn't it strange that so much of what seemed to be way out back then is considered normal now - even this blooming fax machine that I'm sending this on!

So, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed playing Polly.

Anneke Wills Vancouver '95

Prologue.

3978 BC.

Deep s.p.a.ce, approaching Mutters Spiral The ship was humming along with the complex machinery inside it. So too were the occupants, constantly humming, non-stop, ad infinitum. Each separate component, every individual, all humming together for the benefit of the greater whole. The ship was humming along with the complex machinery inside it. So too were the occupants, constantly humming, non-stop, ad infinitum. Each separate component, every individual, all humming together for the benefit of the greater whole.

If they stopped, one of two things would happen. The ship would either blow up or drop out of control, hit an atmosphere at the wrong trajectory and disintegrate. Or, if they were really unlucky, the ship would just drift, the machinery falter and the occupants' brains atrophy and they would fall senseless for an eternity. Faced with such unattractive prospects, the hummers understandably continued humming.

They were elders of the universe, explorers whose researches had exhausted their own planet and solar system.

They knew it all. Curiosity was a common failing of many galactic empires and these people were no different. They were many millions upon millions of miles from home.

Their humming kept both physical and mental entropy at bay, granting 'them apparent immortality and allowing them to cross the vast distances in s.p.a.ce between the astral bodies they could visit.

And plunder.

They would spot a planet that looked interesting, send down a recon-crew and, if it suited their purposes, leave marker buoys on it to claim it as their own. Every so often one of these planets would have a greater significance. The large blue/green sphere they were approaching now was one such planet. It was only a few million years old, its molten core still raging in turmoil. Not quite ripe but getting that way. Only a few more millennia and it would be exactly what they needed. They prepared a recon-party.

Five of them.

4.Information?' sang the commander of the mothership.

++PROCESSING>++ There was a pause before the computer hummed back, ++TRACES OF IRON-MAGNESIUM SILICATES<>< p="">

excellent. This adequately suits our requirements.

Prepare the buoys. Physical imparts?'

++THERE ARE TWO VAST LAND Ma.s.sES> A.

REQUIRED AMOUNT OF CLEAR LINEAGE SHOULD.

BE POSSIBLE WITHIN A FEW DEGREES OF.

ACCURACY++.

'Central base?'

++THE LOWER SOUTH EAST OF THE SOUTHERN.

CONTINENT HAS THE SHORTEST DIRECT LINK TO.

THROUGH THE MAGMA> WARNING>.PREDICATIONS INDICATE FURTHER Ma.s.sIVE.

CONTINENTAL SHIFT LIKELY> SUGGESTION> RECON-PARTY BE WARNED OF THIS FACT>.CALCULATIONS FOR POSITIONING OF THE.

MARKER BUOYS MUST BE RE-SOUGHT TO AVOID.

ERRORS++.

'Noted. The recon-party shall be informed. Basic readouts?'

++THE ATMOSPHERE IS ESSENTIALLY GOOD.

ALTHOUGH A HEAVY PARTICLE FLUX EXISTS.

OVER THE FAR NORTH WEST> READOUTS.

SUGGEST A Ma.s.sIVE MATTER/ANTIMATTER.EXPLOSION OCCURRED WITHIN THE LAST.

MILLION YEARS> THE EFFECT ON NATURAL LIFE.

HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC WITH THE ESSENTIAL.

BALANCE OF NATURE UPSET IRREVOCABLY> SUGGEST CAUTION> NEW LIFEFORMS EXIST AT.

RUDIMENTARY STAGES++.

'Mammalian, reptilian or silicon-based?'

++MAMMALIAN, INSECTOID, REPTILIAN AND.

MOLLUSC>.A GREAT DEAL OF VEGETATION.

COVERS A MAJORITY OF THE PLANET< p="">

5.THE MOST PROLIFIC FORM OF LIFE> LARGER.

REPTILIAN LIFE MOSTLY ERADICATED DUE TO.

AFOREMENTIONED MATTER/ANTIMATTER.

DETONATION++.

'Any evidence of extra-terrestrial influences?'

++TRACE ELEMENTS OF WARP-DRIVE.RADIATION WOULD SUGGEST VISITATION.APPROXIMATELY FIVE HUNDRED MILLION YEARS.

PREVIOUSLY++.

'Download this information into the recon-party's craft. It is essential that they know and understand as much as possible.'

++CONFIRMED++.

In the recon-party's craft waited four of the crew, quiedy keeping a melodic harmony going. Around them matter was changing, molecules reshaping themselves into the solid walls of the craft. Next to one of them machinery began to form: the relevant computer consoles were essentially being born, the mainframe's information already loading into its data-banks.

One of the crew reached out with a lazy hand, casually punching a b.u.t.ton on the console's top.

'Ident: Atimkos.' As he spoke, his three companions increased their humrning. When he finished it briefly resumed its lower level until another of them pressed the b.u.t.ton and spoke. The other three then raised their humming to accommodate the loss of voice.

'iDent: Tarwildbaning.'

The process was repeated twice more.

'Ident: Thorgarsuunela.'

'Ident: Udentkista.'

++IDENTS CONFIRMED> THIS SYSTEM IS NOW.

SUNG INTO ORDER> PREPARE FOR RECON-LEADER++.

A shrill cry came from outside the craft and for a brief second the wall melted away to allow entry to the recon-6 leader. As she stepped through, she cried again and the wall rea.s.sembled itself. She crossed to the computer.

'Ident: G.o.dwanna.'

++RECON-LEADER IDENT CONFIRMED> SING.

WELL++.

Seconds later a gap appeared in the side of the mothership and the recon-craft shot out, down towards the blue/green planet below.

Inside the mothership all seemed to be going to plan. The commander hummed softly as he watched the recon-craft tumbling towards its new home.

'Approximate return time?'

++THREE ORBITS OF NEAREST SUN++.

'Excellent. Let's make it a leisurely trip. We're in no hurry.'

++CONF >>>> WARNING>>> WARNING>>> SOLAR FLARES> EVASIVE PROCEDURES.

RECOMMENDED++.

To accommodate the commander and his three immediate subordinates turning anxiously to their instruments, the resonance and volume of the other crew increased.

'Helm control. Report!'

'Solar activity confirmed. Adjusting flight plan accordingly.'