War in a Time of Peace (short story)

War in a Time of Peace was the eleventh short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: Destination Prague. It was written by Steve Lockley and Paul Lewis. It featured the Eighth Doctor and Charley Pollard.

Summary
The Doctor tries to take Charley to Prague for Christmas, but something is wrong. The sky is entirely dark and the city seems deserted. They come across a policewoman stopping some looters. The looters run away and the policewoman, Ilona Hingis, asks the Doctor and Charley for identification. As one of the fleeing looters shoots at Ilona, the Doctor saves her.

She explains to the Doctor and Charley that there is a containment field around Prague because of the war. The Doctor is baffled because he knows there was no war at this time in history.

Soldiers arrive and take the Doctor and Charley away, against Ilona's protests, because they have no papers. They are imprisoned and questioned by Colonel Rijzki. The Doctor tries to convince him to turn off the shield, but he refuses.

When they are alone, Charley expresses her opinion that Rijzki is a power-hungry monster, but the Doctor tells her Rijzki thinks he's acting in the city's best interests by not lowering the shield based on the word of a stranger. Charley is forced to admit his point.

Ilona breaks them out of their cell, taking Rijzki hostage. The Doctor takes both into the TARDIS and takes it out of the city. He shows them that there is no war. Rijzki re-enters the city and lowers the shield.

Characters

 * Eighth Doctor
 * Charlotte Pollard
 * Ilona Hingis
 * Rijzki
 * Officer
 * Guard

Worldbuilding

 * The Doctor thinks the shield was raised because of a virus outbreak.

Continuity

 * The Doctor mentions that he was once shot. (TV: Doctor Who)