Doctor Who: The Doctor and The Daemon
Part 3 - The Daemons' Master Plan
Chapter Three
'Ah,' 'Ahhh,'' ...Achoo!!!''You awaken.''Aside from this new lingering, slightly singed smell and vague pins and needles in my brain. I've never been better. Five attempts at this "Divide" so far. I don't really think things are going to plan, eh Brother Enoch?' 'You seem incompatible with the Daemon's machines. This confounds him greatly.'Still writhing against the restraints of his operating chair. The mildly smouldering Doctor, faces the Cyberman with a wink and a wry smile.
'We aim to please! "Incompatible" Hmph. The callous application of that word seems too synonymous with your races' vocabulary. So tell me, what do you get out of this scheme?''Your ..Tardis.''Oh, I see. Setting aside the elephant in the room. To what end?'The Cyberman advances on the Doctor. Kneeling slightly to bring the faceplate of the Silver Giant in line with his eyeline.
'The Mu'on army. Granted. No Gallifreyan Capsule can access the nexus now. However. I left instructions with my army before I left.'His brow furrowed.
'Let me guess, you instructed them to dig?''Correct. The power unit I devised will fuel them for 1000 years. By hand, digging their way out of the mountain itself will take them 500 years. That is the time and place where I will arrive to collect them.''Leaving you to conquer, not just 17th Century Earth. But the rest of relative time and space, as well?''Correct. The indignation you may feel towards this course of action. At the moment. Will soon pass...' The Cyberman rose to it's full height and stoically proceeded to leave the chamber. Pausing at the open doorway, without looking back.
'With your imminent demise.' The lights dimmed as the door slid closed with a resounding thud. The Doctor was briefly lost in thought. Before he noted that although he was manacled to the chair. The chair was not secured to the ground. There were no footfalls in the hall beyond. So Enoch was immediately outside that door. The only guard needed. But, one easily dispatched. Forcing his boot heels to make contact with the floor. Incrementally sliding his shins through the leg restraints, he slowly began to push off. Only an almost imperceptible tap at first. But rocking the chair, wouldn't take too long.
The Tardis wheezed into reality within the dusty, abandoned throne room of the Crown of Rassilon. Amidst mildly flapping tarpaulin, Brother Rueben stood ready. A Cyberman device in his ungloved left hand. A remote scanner. Portably relaying Enoch's command of the Tardis' systems. Readying himself. Rueben was more than prepared to force his way into the time travel device and slay anyone somehow onboard. Brother Enoch however, suggested a more efficient solution. Activating the device, the Tardis' own sensors completed a scan of the entire craft. No life signs were detected. Their plan worked! Both companions left the Tardis to complete the task. Now both are certainly dead. Somewhat disappointed by the lack of conflict. Rueben scoffed and walked away, towards the staging area. The Daemon noted there were other methods for gaining entry into Capsules. For now, this Tardis was merely an inert prize for our Cyberman brother.
When he could no longer sense Rueben outside, a panting Neil released his grip on the control panel.
'Even compromised. Thanks for hiding me, my Lady.' He removed a lower panel and hit a small silver lever. Creating a temporary system defrag. Isolating the control panel itself from the wider Cyber infection.
'That's the best I can do for now. The Doctor might have a way to flush the rest of the system out later. What's that? No, I'm fine. Really, nothing to fret over. I am a Starchild, after all. Besides.. She.. only damaged the outerskin. No, I'm sweating because the outerskin is still organic. Prone to infections, considerable fluid loss.. yada, yada, yada. No! No time for rest though. I need to grab some helpful tools from my workshop. When I'm all done. Open the door to let me out and do not open it again for anyone, save for the Doctor himself. Understand? Don't worry, I'll be alright.' Lifting his finger tips and severing technopathic connection with the Tardis altogether. Neil carried himself as best he could to his workshop. Trying to appear as normal as possible to the Tardis sensors and cameras. Subconsciously holding the still unhealed wound on the back of his neck. While the newer, raw and weeping asymmetrical shoulder wound. Limited the use of that arm altogether. Damn skin-suits. He thought to himself, with a congested sniff. When he stocked up on the necessary supplies. Heavy hearted, he walked out of the Tardis and into the unknown. Perhaps for the last time. The door automatically closing behind him.
'WHY WON'T IT WORK!?!' A table full of instruments flips through the air. Rueben enters to see machinery smash against the nearby wall. The Daemon almost manic, crouched in the middle of the room.
' I chose him! Over all his contemporaries! Because he was stable! He wasn't malevolent! He was easiest to manipulate!' He stood tall. Calmed himself with a sigh and held his face briefly.
' Perhaps I should have sought out an earlier life to ensnare? Or even ..Iris??' Picking up a working data pad from the floor, Rueben rested a hand on the Daemon's shoulder.
'Calm yourself, Brother. This new, quantum element, to his physiology. Our instruments cannot compensate for it. His Artron energy has been mutated by it. He is useless to us now. Now we are here onboard the Crown. The way is shut. We cannot leave until we power up the generator and activate the pods. His companion's however, may present us with a way to mitigate a complete loss.'A clap registers the shared epiphany between the dual lives.
' Yes, of course! Using them as a temporal anchor. I will increase the power of the extraction. Draining the Doctor through them! If he can't aid in my experiments with the Divide, he shall make fuel for the fire instead!' Giddy with excitement, the Daemon saunters from the room.
'Oh and I am aware of the self-serving nature of your insight, Brother. Yes, you may now kill the Doctor!' He rasps over his shoulder.
'Excellent.' Rueben's sclera flare in triumph. He smirked at his shimmering ribboned glove.
The falling chair made more of a racket than the Doctor was expecting. But at least he was free. Albeit, a little dazed on the floor. He had bearly made it to his knees, before Enoch was upon him. Once more lifting him high from the ground by his neck.
'Steady on, old boy. You're lucky I don't sue over the faulty chair! Terrible craftsmanship, if you ask me. That's why you shouldn't furnish your home cheaply.' A shine within the Duster Jacket drew the Cyberman's attention. Holding open the left hand side, the source was revealed to be an inlaid golden cross.
'Deific iconography?''I know, I know. A bit garish, isn't it? Not mine, as it happens. This belonged to the previous owner of the jacket. Solomon. A friend from a previous adventure. He was a ...very religious human. Ironic, considering how many knives this thing had hidden within it.' The Cyberman tilted it's head and shook the Doctor's frame at the implication of concealed weapons.
'Wait, wait, wait. Past tense!' Brother Enoch ceased the ordeal.
'Besides I don't carry weapons. Very gauche. I tend to only keep nick-knacks about my person. Like here.. hold this.' The Doctor fumbled within his pockets after thrusting his puzzle ovoid into Enoch's free hand. The other hand tensed and the Doctor seemed to have found what he was rummaging for and produced a small capsule. Held out with his open palm, the Cyberman examined the item visually. Before dropping the puzzle and holding it aloft with the now free hand.
'What is this?' A vague curiosity noted in the metallic voice.
'A refreshener. My ward Neil's invention. A high pressure cannister that emits a temporary vapour cloud, which cleans and scents. It activates with a whistle, like this!''AAHHHHHHHH!' The Cyberman shrieks, collapsing. Enveloped by cloud with a glittery hue. The Doctor rises, free from the vice-like grip. Rubbing his ailing neck.
'That one in particular, he made for our dear Dianne. They called it "Au-24". A gold bomb, if you will. Just for Cybermen. I've had that lying around for years, never knew when it would come in handy? Now then, to business.' He runs through the door. Retracing his steps mentally, proved no problem. He made his way down, down. Into the lower depths of the Daemon's Tardis. He knew where the room on the other side of that monitor would be. He was thankful that where ever they were now. His imprisoned companions, nor he, had been moved beyond the capsule to another location.
This is it. By fate or providence. Now is my chance. To help them, save them all. The logistics ...can wait.
The Doctor soon stumbles headlong into sealed double doors. He peers into the roundel monitor to the left of the lock.
There they all are again. But, something is wrong. No longer dancing, they appear to be writhing in place. Silently crying out! The Gallifreyan rune beneath them, now surging like a searchlight. Bathing them all in a sickly glow.
Nooo!
'He's draining them completely now! Not just them. I can feel a pull, deep within me. I don't have much time. I need to get this door open! Right, right, right, think! What do we have?'The Doctor patted himself down. Lamenting not having enough time to retrieve another screwdriver from the Tardis, during this adventure.
'The Tardis... Neil! Diane!' A quick slap to the face ends the lament.
'Focus on the now, you old fool!' There was nothing more in his pockets. Nor the rest of the jacket. How very odd, for him? Nothing. Beyond his puzzle and the gaudy ...cross! Prying at the stitching. Which he found it surprisingly loose. Pulling the object from the jacket revealed the cross was in fact the hilt of a larger blade. Etched with more iconography. He shook his head and gave silent thanks to his warrior benefactor. The blade, fortunately was not gold itself. Low tech brute force, proving strong enough to overcome the more sophisticated Gallifreyan lock. The door clicked open and all at once, there he was. Stood in silhouette, before a cadre of his oldest friends. The controls for the device were fortunately near to the entrance. He knew another direct option was the solution.
Instinctively, the Doctor was aware of someone behind his shoulder. Grabbing a lurching hand over his shoulder, by the wrist. He flipped the stranger into the chamber, with skills he hadn't used in many lives. Briefly dazed, Brother Rueben tried to raise himself from the ground. Before a double hammerfist smashed against the back of his head. The Doctor shifted his view from the unconscious foe to his assailant.
'Aye, Doctor. Tis good to see ye again.'James Robert McCrimmon. The Doctor paused. Closed his eyes and cleared his throat. Speaking again with a voice long since abandoned.
'Jamie, my boy! It's so good to see you again!' The two hugged as the best of friends, absent for the longest time from each other's lives.
'Looks like I saved ye again, Doctor!''Again? But Jamie ..how do you remember me??''The Daemon. He came to me. To us, in our dreams. Mine, was my last. The end of my days. I thought him a guide from my ancestors, so I took his hand. He gave me, you. Our time together. But only ye. The others here, strangers one and all. He said I could have more days with ye, if I helped him. Here we are.''Jamie.. I..''Will ye help the others, Doctor? I was somehow able to free myself. But I can't break the hold of this trance for anyone else.''I ..may know a way. But..''Aye. The Daemon.' Jamie shifted his gaze to the hall beyond the Doctor.
' I had to bide my time and play along whenever one o' the Brotherhood came by. I recognise a cell when I see one. I knew I could nae fight my way out. Now I ..may not have the strength of my youth. But I will honour Clan McCrimmon one final time. Do whatever you can to help the others Doctor! I'll hold off the Brotherhood as long as I can!''No Jamie wait!!'It was too late. The Doctor closed his eyes as his friend from long ago, surged past him towards the door. The instant he crossed the threshold. The stolen second of time made manifest, ceased to be. They were all bound to this room. The Daemon's experiment required them for nothing else. In time, the Doctor could find a way to fulfil his "hit list", to save them all. Somehow transfer them onto his Tardis. But a brief look around at the decaying features of his friends, told him time was up. He glanced over his shoulder, at the empty doorway and knew what he must do.
Flicking the blade into his fingertips, he threw the blade and it hit home, directly into the controls. A brief sputter of energy and all went dark. The only light, still at the Doctor's back. The room, another dimensional prison, served a dual function. Artron extractor and the chronal tether to it's captives.
All at once, their pain ceased. Though in a haze, they slowly opening wincing eyes and beheld the shadow at the door. Whether a side-effect of extraction or their own fading consciousness. Each companion saw the figure in the light, slightly differently. Distinguished. Wearing a cape. A scalf, A vegetable and many other familiar bespoke eccentricities. That they all personally recognised on sight. The Doctor came, as the Daemon promised. Saving them all once more.
Their chronal tether seemed somehow reliant on their time of exposure to the Doctor. The briefest their interaction with them, the sooner they vanished altogether. Realising this, the Doctor could do no more than silently wave. A fond farewell to lost friends. Some had tears in their eyes at the reunion. Enthusiastically waving and blowing kisses. Each stolen second of the lives of these prisoners, dissolved painlessly soon after. Until none remained.
The Doctors remaining outstretching hand, recoiled into a fist. He stared down at the unconscious enemy. He wouldn't be down for long. Stepping over him, the Doctors eye caught something shiny in his robes. Bending down, he smiled. A Sonic screwdriver. At last! He turned on his heel and fled the room quickly. Yanking the cross-blade from the console en route. He pulled the doors closed and braced the broken lock with the weapon. It would hold, for a while.
Elsewhere,
Neil wasn't having the best day. His outerskin was now "sweating" so profusely, it was becoming a hazard to his progress. Puddles forming by his feet also proving a liability to his hidden presence. Between that and the worsening fever. He had enough. His system was being taxed too hard to reach the Doctor. It was time to shed. The danger. The logistics can wait. As the Doctor would say. Neil looked about the drab and abandoned corridors. Resplendent in the same, yet dusty, decor as the Daemon's Tardis. A running motif to Gallifrayan design? Ducking into a small side room, beside an elevator. He set down his bag of supplies. Affirming his hands to the edges of his mouth and begins to prise himself out.
"Hello, Doctor! I see you're busy. But could I trouble you for a moment?"The Last Life's voice telepathically entered the Doctor's mind.
"The door to my cell, it's just down the corridor to your left. If you could free me, I'd really appreciate some urgency. I'm running low on juice!"Finding the correct door was no effort at all for the Doctor. The base itself was in a terrible state of disrepair. Having been promptly abandoned upon completion, in those bleak final days of the Time War. All plans for the Crown were halted and it's personnel returned to Gallifrey to aid in the final defence.
'It should have been destroyed. Not merely buried' Pondering aloud, as the Doctor approaches the only room with a sealed door attached. He notes a suspicious circle, etched into the floor immediately outside the door. Taking care to walk around it. The Doctor takes the very unusual looking Sonic Screwdriver and sets to work on the lock. One satisfying ping later, the door opens and the Doctor sidesteps into the cell.
'Bravo, Doctor! You even found my Sonic!!' The Last Life rubbing hands with glee. Congratulated the rescue, still sat casually in the same armchair as last time.
'Yours? Oh I see. That would explain the unfamiliar design.' An underhand toss returned the property to it's owner.
'Quite right. A trophy Brother Rueben helped himself to, upon my capture. Most unscrupulous types love the allure of "future technology".''Some can't help but spoil themselves. Right then, my young descendant. Shall we leave?' The Time Lord bowed and motioned towards the open egress.
'I have a fairly good idea that my Tardis is now onboard.' The Doctor began, over his shoulder, as the two walked through the doorway. Now clutching some possessions underarm, the Last Life was a few paces behind.
'Wait, Doctor! Don't step...' The warning proved too late. Lowering his guard, the Doctor stepped into the centre of the circular indentation. Suddenly enveloped in light. A series of metallic rings travelled down the beam and the Doctor disappeared behind them.
'..there. That was Rueben's teleporter. Blast!' The Future Time Lord, now free however. Had little time for concern over a missing benefactor. The Mission was all that mattered. Although lost to the future. Here, within this place, it might be viable once more.
Though reproducing his technology had been difficult in this universe. Brother Rueben had managed to make some work through reverse engineering. Even the knowledge of Gallifrayan technology he possessed through his host. Largely didn't facilitate that of most Goa'uld designs. Yet, as with the Kara Kesh. The Ring Transporter was another such success story. However, for reasons Rueben could not assertain. The teleportation was not instantanious, as in his native reality. A delay of two seconds did occur before rematerialisation.
The Doctor appeared in a flash of the transporter. Seemingly on the verge of collapse? Panting and sweating profusely. His eyes darted around him in panic. Before they readjusted and he became aware of his location once more.
ii
'Beautiful, is it not Doctor? Approaching from an enormous control panel. The Daemon looked aloft with arms outstretched.
'The Crown of Rassilon! A glorious monument to the arrogance of our race. A large scale staging ground. At the centre of the Time Vortex itself.''Desperation. Not arrogance! The War escalated far beyond their understanding.''Hahaha Hardly. Fearing the loss of Gallifrey. Rassilon commisioned this place, did he not?. An escape plan for the entire Time Lord race. Able to launch our capsules across the multiverse itself. If the War was lost. This universe would fall to the Daleks. But that egotist would have us alone flee into others. Sated in the knowledge that our race, above all others, must and will continue.''But it was never completed. The final assault on Gallifrey came too quickly. Rassilon and his followers were trapped behind the Dalek armada. Even you have only managed to make but a handful of rooms and functions viable.''That may be true, Doctor. But in reality, only this launchpad is really needed.' He clicks his fingers and high above stood Brother Enoch. Revived once more and on a circular platform around the control core, activated a series of controls. The lights flared on and the gigantic core began to power up. The Doctor looked around at the many tubes lining the walls. Aware of this construction in the tailend of the War. He read the plans. These tubes would house TT Capsules. Many capsules. Launching them into a stabilised fracture within the Vortex. Housed within the centre of the base. But something was off. There were no Capsules within the tubes now. Upon closer observation. They contained life pods. Containing silhouetted and dormant humanoids. Many pods.
'Due to your obsolescence, my experiments with the Divide must be put on hold. For now. However, the next phase of my plan cannot be halted. I made certain the Artron Energy stored here would not go to waste.' A malicious grin etched across his face, as he drew a firearm from within his robes.
'You've cloned yourself through raw Artron!?! Insanity!!!' The Doctor held his mouth in horror.
'All these pods! How many lost Time Lords led to your stores of regeneration energy? HOW MANY!?''A few. Donated themselves to science. For The Greater Good' The Daemon primed his gun. Before his smile gave way to a wrathful scowl.
' You incredulous buffoon! You stand at the instant of your own demise. Bearing witness to a grand plan, centuries in the making. Yet all you can do is PLAY WITH YOUR PATHETIC LITTLE PUZZLE!!!'The Doctor looked down to his hands. Unaware of when he had even reached into his pocket. A final click gave him pause. Concealing it with his hands, he looked up to face his foe with a sudden smirk.
'Oh this isn't a puzzle. Nor a toy. Nor a distraction for an over energised mind. It was a gift for my last birthday, from my old friend Romana. It was a tool. Made during the Time War. A Machina Box. A treatment for Time Lords afflicted with chronal PTSD. Would you like to know how?''What nonsense! Goodbye, Doctor' The ancient Time Lord raised the sight of his weapon. Taking aim at the Doctor's head.
Opening his grasp, the Doctor continued
'Upon completion, it becomes whatever the patient needs it to be!'The Daemon shrieks at the reveal and opened fire. The Doctor didn't move. The laser bolt froze immediately before his outstretched hands. The puzzle, the final stage dissembled into several flat squares. These squares all at once formed a floating cube. Time itself slowed in a shockwave. Surging outward. The Daemon became the epitome of fear itself. Dropping the gun and backing away. As the timewave receded and several capsules appeared within the great chamber. None would open. Yet.
'AHHHHHH!' The metallic cry of the Cyberman broke the silence and it pludged to the ground with a thud, beside the Daemon. Both he and the Doctor looked up to see a tall, slender woman in a bright white tailored suit, heels and a majestic shock of fiery red hair. Stood atop Enoch's platform.
'Hello old friend! I knew you'd call sooner or later. Miss me?''Romana! I thought it would be you to answer the call. A little perturbed that you became a ginger before me. But I'm glad to see you, none the less.''The hair is lovely, isn't it? Now as for our ancient friend here. I bought some associates who would like to escort you back to Gallifrey!The Daemon cast his gaze back to the capsules and from each, a member of The Jury now stood. The Daemon established their order. He knew what would happen next.
'Look out!' The Doctor warned, waving his arms. The Daemon raised his gauntlet into the air and clenched his fist. All it's sigils shone bright and three of the closest Jury screamed out in pain and dissolved into Artron energy. Absorbed into the gauntlet. As Romana was thrown from her feet. The Daemon turned back to the Doctor.
'NOW! For ruining EVERYTHING! You will die!!' Upon the glove being pointed towards him, the Doctor seemed to give up and raise his hands to surrender.
'Hit him' He muttered under his breath.
'What was that? Some last words of defiance to your allies?''Something like that' Twin Dalek lasers flared out of nowhere and hit home in the Daemon's hearts. He staggered.
'HIT HIM AGAIN!' The Doctor spat.
The assault landed a second time and an almighty pop resounded throughout the room. The Daemon at once collapsed to the floor. Sliding down a ladder, Romana quickly ran to the Doctor's side. As a very tall, gangly reptilian. Clutching two Dalek gunsticks, approached them.
'Sorry for the delayed rescue. Had to take an alternate route to get here.''I can see that, Neil my boy. It's great to see you. Romana, Neil. Neil, Romana.''Nice to meet you. ma'am. That felt cathartic and all. But did I just kill the bad guy?''No. That I would never condone. I thought the combined firepower of both gunsticks would be enough to rupture his time field, however. Now he is actually vulnerable.''Well then. As we are the only three left standing. Shall we finish this chaps?' With smiles, the trio turned to face the fallen Time Lord. Only for a shockwave to blast them from their feet.
Sclera flaring, Rueben had stepped through the teleporter in the floor. In the confusion. A glowering glove raised. Enoch similarly, arose again. Both holding under his arms, helped Daemon to his feet.
'We are legion!' They chanted as one. Daemon, appearing physically weary, tapped one more button on his gauntlet. The great Crown of Rassilon burst into life. The pipes began to hum. The shadows within the pods began to stir.
'Now the multiverse itself shall play host to our line. No mere Time Lords, but a dynasty of Gods. In every reality, upon every realm. All the knowledge of the cosmos, fed unto me. Each life, with it's own universe to conquer. I ..Win!!!''Not quite yet, sir.' Neil spoke up and nodded towards the base level control panel and his satchel beneath it. Which promptly exploded. Chaos soon ensued. As the Brotherhood were sent flying. The blast causing a tremendous chain reaction. Sparks and fires were erupting everywhere. Those inside the pods began silently screaming, banging on the glass fronts. The Doctor and his companions ran, at Neil's urging, back the way he came. To the Tardis.
The Daemon soon rose to his feet and saw Rueben access the teleporter once more. Giving a brief salute, as he departed.
'TRAITOR!!' Daemon howled to the fleeing Goa'uld. He turned back to the ever stoic, standing Enoch and ran to him.
'Rueben is heading for my capsule. We have little time to board one of these Jury craft. Help me with as many pods as we can, Brother. Why aren't you listening to me?' Annoyed, he grabbed the shoulder of the Cyberman and turned his Brother to face him. Mouth agape as he saw a strobing light pulse, emitted from the Cyberman's lamp.
'Upload complete' It spoke for the last time, before the body collapsed to the floor.
'NOOOOO!!'Turning a final corridor, the Doctor was filled with joy at the slight of his Tardis. Clicking his fingers they all ran inside.
'Right, we have little time. Romana, first we need to isolate the control panel..''Oh? Doctor, I already did that.''You did? Well done, my young ward. Impressive as always''What next, Doctor?''Now the safety is disengaged. We can align our control panel with the time field of the Crown. Disengaging the field will leave this place vulnerable within the physicality of the Time Vortex. The unstable energies within, should do the rest.' With that, the three began. Working as one. The Tardis' active whirr now aligned with the Crown of Rassilon itself.
Below, Rueben was ecstatic at the sight of Daemon's Capsule. His prize was within his grasp. Suddenly colliding with another figure turning the corner. Landing on his back, he looked up to see The Last Life.
'Oh Brother Rueben! Nice to see you again.' His gaze turned to the sonic in the Time Lord's left hand. Now primed as a Sonic detonator. Standing quickly, he lunged at Last Life and a struggle began. The Goa'uld using all his strength to hold back the active thumb from triggering the detonation. With quick thinking, he shoved Last Life into the ring teleporter beside the capsule. A sigh of relief, Rueben knew he had seconds to open the door and flee this universe. Patting himself down, his panic rose. His key was gone! Daemon hadn't told him yet how to access them without it. He screamed out in despair.
The Daemon turned, as the teleporter activated. The Last Life stepping out, was not what he expected.
'Oh, the core! This will do!' The thumb clicked down on the Sonic and everything vanished.
The Tardis was suddenly thrown through the Time Vortex. The combination of the power source of the Crown, the chronal fracture, additional Capsules, the stored Artron energy and the Doctor reflected, whatever power the Last Life wielded. Created an explosion of power so great, the immaterial Tardis itself was shunted away. Yet just as brilliantly as the blast had been. It merged and absorbed into the Vortex itself, just as quickly. draining away from the Tardis.
'The next Big Bang looks like it is finally on it's way, I believe.' The Doctor observed through his instruments.
'How goes the Cyber purge?'Romana and Neil had made a very effective team, in that regard.
'We managed to flush the systems out into the Vortex. The Nano-tech. These Cyber..mites, I suppose? Found themselves incompatible with raw chronal energies. We should be good to go in about an hour, sir.''Right then. We'll have some tea and drop off Romana back home. Then we are off, young man.''Oh, so soon? I thought we might take a few days rest on your home world?''Not this time. I made Dianne a promise to bring her home. History hasn't altered. Which means she is both alive and ready to be found. I intend to do just that. Before the trail grows cold.''Trail, Doctor?''Perchance to dream, Neil. Perchance to dream.' Rubbing a temple, thinking back to his time lost within the rings. The Doctor cryptically spoke and left the room. His two companions sharing in their confusion.
The End