An Early Arrival

"Why, I believe that's Mike Yates' car!" the Doctor exclaimed.

"And I think that's Sarah Jane driving it," said Betty, peering out the window.

And, indeed, the automobile skidded to a stop even as they landed, and a rather excitable Sarah Jane came running out to meet them.

"Doctor! Thank goodness you're here!" Sarah stopped, a puzzled expression suddenly crossing her face. "Why are you here?"

"I had some inside information," he smiled. "Now tell me all about what's going on."

"Oh, Doctor, it was horrible! These men were in the cellar, chanting, and then this giant spider appeared. Like, out of nowhere! I don't know just what it's all about, but it certainly can't be good."

The Doctor cast Betty an odd look, as if he were a bit surprised to have her description of the TV episode so thoroughly confirmed as his own universe's truth.

"Who's this?" asked Sarah, noticing Betty for the first time.

"A friend," said the Doctor, introducing them briefly. "Where's Mike Yates?"

"He went to go and talk to the Abbot."

Betty started a little at this. I wonder if I should tell him who the abbot really is? No, maybe not. If he wants the Doctor to know, I'm sure he'll reveal himself...

The other two didn't seem to notice her reaction, however, and Sarah Jane kept on talking. "He said I should take his car and... Well, and come find you, actually. Let you and the Brigadier know what's going on. Whatever is going on... So." She gave the Doctor a confident smile. "Now that you've gone and saved me the trip... What next?"

The Doctor looked at Betty, and she realized with a profound sense of shock that he was looking for her to make a suggestion. "Er, um, I don't know," she stammered. "In the episode, you didn't come here until Sarah came and got you, like the next day. By which point the bad guys had the crystal. Or the groundskeeper guy did. And they were summoning more spiders in the cellar, I think. I'm not sure what's happening now."

Sarah gave her a strange, perplexed look. The Doctor merely stroked his chin and looked thoughtful.

1. "All right," he said. "Here's what we'll do..."

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