Talons of Terror (short story)

Talons of Terror was a short story published in Doctor Who Annual 1974. It featured the Third Doctor and Jo Grant.

Summary
The Doctor and Jo are driving in Bessie across the Yorkshire moors. They are on their way to a conference in a secluded house. As they bump down a cart track, a terrifying creature (one eye, large beak, talons) flies at them. The Doctor swerves around it and accelerates away. Then a flying saucer sweeps in and fires a beam at the creature which disappears. The saucer lands and three men emerge, wearing silver suits and carrying weapons. They salute the Doctor who thanks them for saving him. They say that they are taking him into custody for his own safety but they address him as Premier Lutz. Jo blurts out that there is a similarity between the Doctor and the Premier but the Kreffs say she is trying to protect her friend. They add that they have come from the future to save him from the Perigons. They take Jo and the Doctor into the saucer and show them some history films. These relate the setting up of a Galactic Peace Force on the instigation of Premier Lutz. This force saved the Kleffs from a Paragon invasion. Now the Perigons have come back in time to change history and complete their invasion. Captain Riombo of the Kleffs says that they did not count how many Perigons got through the Time Vortex before the saucer came through and sealed the Vortex behind them.

The Kleffs land their saucer near to High Crag Hall and escort the Doctor and Jo to the gates. There, they are attacked by five Perigons. As a fierce fight ensues, the Doctor leads Jo to safety. They see Premier Lutz drive out of the gates, taking his yellow vintage car for a spin on the moors. The Doctor chases on a bicycle and catches up with the Premier just as a Perigon attacks. The Doctor holds it at bay, like a matador with his cape, until the Kleff saucer arrives and destroys it with its death ray. The Doctor introduces the Premier to the Kleffs and then an army escort drives up to take him back to the conference. The Kleffs wonder how they can get home through the sealed Vortex but the Doctor tells them that he can adjust their craft to help out.

Characters

 * Third Doctor
 * Jo Grant
 * The Kreff
 * The Perigon

Continuity
to be added