Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Bone of Contention (audio story)

, or simply The Bone of Contention, was the second story of the fifth season of the Big Finish Bernice Summerfield series. Written by Simon Forward, it was set on the Clutch, a location that first appeared in Forward's Doctor Who audio story The Sandman.

Publisher's summary
It's good to get away from the joys of motherhood once in a while. So when the Perloran government call upon Bernice Summerfield to recover a state treasure, she readily obliges.

Trouble is, the previous Perloran government traded the artefact away to the Galyari, and to the Galyari, a deal is a deal. So when Benny arrives on the Clutch to ask if the Perlorans can have their Bone back, she soon realises she has her work cut out for her.

Work that's complicated significantly by a frightened young Galyari who latches onto her, as if to prove that when it comes to the joys of motherhood, there is no escape.

And the growing pains of this particular youngster are set to prove very painful indeed.

Plot
Doing a favour for the new Perloran government, Benny travels to the Clutch to transport a collection of weapons purchased from Mordecan to the Galyari with a request that the Wishing Bone of Perlor be returned to them in exchange. Commander Korshal claims that there is no record of the initial transaction and she goes to investigate, putting out an advert for Mordecan's attention asking for him to meet her at the Liquid Plasma Bar. When he does so, he is surprised to learn that the previous Perloran government was overthrown and tells her that he sold the Wishing Bone to Research Director Tsheshra of the Galyari.

to be completed

Cast

 * Bernice Summerfield / Romola - Lisa Bowerman
 * Mordecan - Robin Bowerman
 * Director Tsheshra - Tracey Childs
 * Commander Korshal - Steffan Rhodri

Continuity

 * The Galyari and the Clutch appeared in The Sandman.
 * Commander Korshal would later encounter the Seventh Doctor, Ace and Hex in Uluru City. (AUDIO: Dreamtime)