Far Away in a Manger (short story)

Far Away in a Manger was the nineteenth short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: The Ghosts of Christmas. It was written by Iain McLaughlin. It featured the Fifth Doctor, Peri Brown and Erimem.

Summary
On Alpha One, a blizzard has hit at Christmas. With the power out, Gabe and Kate are forced to seek shelter in town. This is difficult because Kate is pregnant and in labour, but the Doctor, Peri and Erimem show up and help them get to town.

The colonists have taken shelter in the power plant. There, in a small room, Gabe explains to the travellers that, at first, the colonists worked together, but when one colonist, Walter Cantrell, began taking over the colony and seizing land, the colonists either worked for him or kept to themselves.

Gabe and Peri get straw to help make Kate more comfortable, while the Doctor attends to Kate. Erimem tries to find someone to direct her to the colony's medic, Dr Leishman, but she meets with little success. She then confronts Cantrell, and to everyone's surprise (but Peri's), he backs down. Some of his workers help her get the medic.

Kate's baby is born, and the colonists visit Kate, bringing gifts for the baby. Peri is inspired to decorate the green power core with the colonists' lanterns. She then leads the colonists in Christmas carols.

As the Doctor and his friends prepare to leave, the Doctor gives the colonists some advice: get together on a regular basis and use teamwork to help the colony succeed.

On the way to the TARDIS, the Doctor stops to pick up a small device. Peri notices that the weather has drastically improved and confronts the Doctor. He admits that he caused the storm to bring the colonists together. In the future, Alpha One will be an important planet during a galactic war, and it's vital that the right people be leading the colony at that time. As they reach the TARDIS, Peri throws a snow ball at the Doctor.

Characters

 * Fifth Doctor
 * Peri Brown
 * Erimem
 * Gabe
 * Kate
 * Ana
 * Val
 * Walter Cantrell
 * Archie
 * Cath Drake
 * Dr Leishman

Worldbuilding

 * Peri mentions Bing Crosby, "White Christmas" and It's a Wonderful Life.
 * Gabe mentions singing "Kumbaya".
 * Peri mentions John Wayne.
 * The last time the Doctor delivered a baby was in 1865.
 * The Doctor wants to take Peri to London during the Blitz.
 * "Silent Night" and "The First Noel" are sung.

Continuity
to be added