Growing Higher (short story)

Summary
82-year-old Sewa Singh moved to the moon because of its low gravity; when combined with antisenility treatment and organ replacements, there appeared no reason why he could not live virtually indefinitely. However, four months ago the artificial world Kuppam disintegrated when three bearings failed and the hull was breached; 50,595 people died in the disaster, and Singh was responsible for the bearings’ quality control. Political tension has been developing between the Earth and the lunar colonies for some time, and two UN officers are now on their way to take Singh back to Earth for trial; if found guilty, he will be sentenced to community service on Earth, where he knows the effect of the relatively high gravity will cause him to age and die. As his 19-year-old lover Bernadette Franklin makes breakfast, he goes out for one last look at the lunar surface. When the UN officers, Fitz Kreiner and Dr. John Smith, arrive at Singh’s home, Bernadette informs them that she will accompany Singh to Earth, to challenge the findings of the UN. Many lunar citizens feel that Singh is being used as a scapegoat, and this trial could spark a civil uprising. However, as she speaks, she receives word that the real UN officers have just landed, and the Doctor sadly reveals that he and Fitz spoke with Singh earlier -- and that he’s deliberately gone out onto the Moon’s surface in a suit without enough oxygen. The Doctor agreed to speak with Bernadette and keep her occupied until it was too late for her to rescue him, thus letting Singh take his own life with dignity rather than letting his trial condemn him to a slow and painful death and sparking the first human war in over eighty years.

Characters

 * Eighth Doctor
 * Fitz

Continuity
to be added

Timeline

 * Growing Higher occurs after: The Shadows of Avalon
 * Growing Higher occurs before: to be added