The Blazing Hour (audio story)

 was the two hundred and seventy-fourth and penultimate audio story in Big Finish's monthly range. It was written by James Kettle and featured Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor and Mark Strickson as Turlough.

Publisher's summary
The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Turlough to a high-tech scientific installation on the planet Testament in the distant future. The human race have become intergalactic buccaneers, thanks to their ability to generate vast amounts of power for long-distance travel. Testament is the source of that power – and the Doctor has never quite understood how it works.

But experiments are underway on Testament - experiments with potentially explosive and devastating consequences. And even the Doctor may be too late to stop it.

With politicians and bureaucrats getting in the way, the race is on. Not to stop a disaster - but to save as many people as possible.

Part one
The Doctor and Turlough arrive at a scientific facility on the planet Testament - the mysterious source of the energy that powers the interstellar human empire.

Scientific Researcher Ms Ellison and Head Scientist Horoben are conducting experiments to increase Testament's energy output. Horoben is under pressure from Deputy Leader Violet Hardaker to produce results, but so far simulations have only led to the violent destruction of the facility.

The Doctor and Turlough join a VIP tour group led by tour guide Montgomery, one of Testament's indigenous inhabitants. Also on the tour is Fionn, a patriotic agri-business owner, and Deputy Leader Violet Hardaker, making an effort to mingle with her constituents.

The tour is treated to a macabre sight - a captured saboteur, frozen in time, on display for all to see.

Slipping away from the tour, the Doctor gains access to the control deck and encounters Ellison at work. Posing as a Safety Assessor, he discovers the source of Testament's power involves the unsustainable bending of time - using the Blinovitch Limitation Effect to generate massive amounts of energy.

Horoben enters, pulls a gun on the Doctor and forces Ellison to proceed with the experiment - resulting in a massive explosion.

Part two
to be added

Cast

 * The Doctor - Peter Davison
 * Turlough - Mark Strickson
 * Violet Hardaker - Rakie Ayola
 * Montgomery / Prime Minister - Donna Berlin
 * Horobin / Bradley / John Ellison - Raj Ghatak
 * Katherine Ellison / Fionn - Lynsey Murrell

Continuity
to be added