July 08, 2025
The First Doctor and Susan debrief in 'The Adventures After', a new collection of short stories.
The Doctor has had many adventures, visited many planets and made a whole host of friends (and some enemies). But if you thought it was all over after the TARDIS doors closed, and the time ship dematerialised onto the next adventure, you’d be very much mistaken. From Earth’s past, present and future, to the furthest reaches of the universe, Doctor Who: The Adventures After features ten tales that give us a glimpse into the worlds the Doctor left behind.
Below is an exclusive extract from The Verge of Death, written by Carole Ann Ford (Susan Foreman). Picking up shortly after the events of both Edge of Destruction and Marco Polo, the TARDIS continues to behave erratically - can Susan and the Doctor solve the issue?
Doctor Who: The Adventures After will be published October 23rd. Pre-order yours here.
‘Hmm. Everything seems to now be operating normally. No malfunctions...’ He flicked a couple of switches as if testing the theory and then clasped his lapels, deep in thought. The time rotor – the intricate glass cylinder at the heart of the console – rose and fell quietly as the ship continued its flight. ‘I think I need some water after that shock,’ said Susan. ‘And I imagine Barbara and Ian need something to eat. Nobody has had a proper meal in a while – no wonder Barbara felt faint.’
‘Yes, quite, child,’ said the Doctor. ‘I think we could all do with a good rest, hmm? Things have been non-stop since we left Shoreditch.’ He gazed around the console room. ‘You know, we haven’t had the safety of the ship, or even our home on Earth, for a while now.’
‘I’m surprised you think of Earth as home, Grandfather,’ Susan remarked.
‘Well, it was for a while, Susan.’ The Doctor placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Yes, we did our best to try and blend in, as it were. Though, perhaps –’ he looked into Susan’s eyes, gently cajoling her – ‘perhaps trying to tell your history teacher that her facts were incorrect was not the best idea, hmm?’ He chuckled, and she joined in with his laughter. ‘Come along, let’s get something for Ian and Barbara to eat. You must be famished, too!’
Susan smiled at him, and they went across the console room. On the opposite side of the living quarters was another doorway, leading to a smaller room that contained the food machine. They both entered, but Susan went over to the food machine while the Doctor stayed by the entrance, keeping an eye on the console. The machine itself was a large, box-like structure, with an array of lights on the top, small selector switches in the middle, and two large dials dominating the centre. It was capable of producing nutritional bars in the flavour of any chosen meal. Susan switched on the machine and began turning the two dials.
‘I don’t know if I prefer the vegetable soups we ate on Gallifrey, or the Earth meals I used to eat. Coal Hill School did the loveliest casseroles. And not forgetting Barbara’s favourite – bacon and eggs!’ She laughed, feeling hungrier the more she thought about food.
‘Indeed, or Ian’s preferred dish – roast beef and Yorkshire pudding!’ said the Doctor with a smile. ‘Oh yes, that was delicious, too,’ agreed Susan as she continued to press the various switches, unable to decide what she wanted.
Suddenly, the Doctor looked around him with a puzzled frown. ‘That’s strange. It seems to be getting a touch warmer.’ He adjusted his shirt collar as the temperature began to climb. Susan stepped back from the device and considered the room. ‘You’re right. I thought it was the machine warming up, but yes. It’s getting hot. Very hot.’ She fanned herself with her hand. ‘Grandfather, what is happening?’
‘I don’t know, child.’ Beads of sweat were now forming on their skin. ‘Perhaps...’ The food machine interrupted the Doctor’s thought with some low clunking noises. Susan and the Doctor exchanged baffled glances. The sounds then started to grow in volume and the machine began to vibrate. Susan edged towards it, reaching out her hand.
‘Be careful, child!’ warned the Doctor as a plume of smoke erupted from the device, along with a jet of water. ‘Look out!’ Susan screamed, and they both ducked down. Susan did not make it unscathed, letting out a cry and gripping her left hand in pain.
‘What is it, child? What’s wrong?’ the Doctor shouted, rushing to his granddaughter. Susan showed him her injury, which was bright red. ‘My hand! It burned my hand!’ Her face contorted in agony. ‘Oh, Grandfather. I’m scared!’
The Doctor examined it, his brow furrowing in a mixture of confusion and worry. ‘Oh, dear child, let me fetch you a dressing.’ He moved over to one of the roundels set into the wall and opened it carefully. There was a small cavity inside, and nestled within, a box. He opened it to reveal items of first aid, including a small canister, bandage and dressing tape. ‘Here, Susan. Give me your hand.’ He took it gently and pressed the top of the canister, which emitted a small spray on to her hand. Susan gave a deep sigh of relief. ‘Now, hold it still and I’ll apply the bandage.’
‘Something is wrong, Grandfather,’ Susan said worriedly. ‘I know, child,’ said the Doctor with a sigh. ‘After everything we’ve been through, this really is becoming most disturbing.’
Once he’d finished bandaging her hand, he placed the first-aid box back behind the roundel and then turned to study the room. ‘Since leaving Gallifrey, I – well, we – have always thought of the TARDIS as our home. The ship has been our place of safety, the haven we could always return to at times of great peril. Now, it is attacking us and making it something we fear. Why, hmm? Why.’ He looked at Susan and held out his hands as if encouraging her to offer an explanation. Susan began pacing the room. ‘It’s like I said earlier. The TARDIS has been acting strangely ever since we left Skaro!’
‘I hope it’s nothing more than a malfunction, Susan. Something the console just hasn’t detected yet,’ said the Doctor. He tried to adopt a reassuring tone. ‘The ship has them from time to time. And although this one is indeed something far more serious, I’m sure I can solve it.’
‘But, Grandfather!’ Susan replied sharply. ‘Remember last time? The ship acted strangely, and we found the doors open. Things haven’t been right ever since. You see, I don’t think it is a malfunction. It’s as if someone got in here and has been messing with the controls. Someone... or something!’
Doctor Who: The Adventures After will be published October 23rd. Pre-order yours here.
