The Rocket Men (audio story)

The Rocket Men was the second story of the sixth series in The Companion Chronicles audio range. It was produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by John Dorney and featured Ian Chesterton.

Publisher's summary
The TARDIS has landed on Platform Five, a floating city in the sky of the planet Jobis, and for a time the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki get the chance to enjoy this idyllic place.

Then the Rocket Men arrive, led by the sadistic Ashman.

When the only other option to certain death is suicide, Ian Chesterton takes the gamble of his life...

The Rocket Men (1)
The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki reach Platform Five, a place of leasure situated near the planet Jobis and its renowned natural habitat, comprising a notorious waterfall of diamonds. They decide to stay here for a while to recover from their recent adventures.

A few days later, the Doctor leaves because he's been invited to another Platform, which serves as a centre of scientific research. The companions stay behind, and enlisten to go on a tour around the natural beauties of the planet. However, the day of the tour, Barbara feels sick and has to give up on the visit.

At some point during the tour, the barge where Ian and Vicki are embarked is suddenly attacked by the Rocket Men, a band of pirates, who rob the passengers of their goods before taking them back to the Platform, whom their boss, Ashman, has already taken possession of. After regrouping all the hostages in one room, Ashman starts looking for the companions of the Doctor, who has been identified as the leader of the resistance against them.

Vicki reveals herself as one of them when Ashman threaten to kill a girl; Barbara follows suite, while Ian stays silent. Ashman contacts the Doctor and tries to force him to surrender threatening Barbara's life. The Doctor does not give in, so Ashman opens an airlock and throw Barbara out of the Platform, straight towards Jobis' planet core. Without thinking, Ian throws himself out of the airlock after her.

Cast

 * Ian Chesterton - William Russell
 * Ashman - Gus Brown
 * Barbara Wright - Jacqueline Hill (archived recording of her scream)

Continuity

 * Following Ashman's death, more than a dozen groups of his fellow Rocket Men began fighting for control of his territories. (AUDIO: Return of the Rocket Men)
 * Ian mentions the recent trip to Rome and Italy. (TV: The Romans)