You will probably want to read the Introduction before you start.
Prologue
The Doctor hovered around the TARDIS Console. He hummed along to an ancient tune, its sound so beautiful and poetic to the ears. Autumn stood nearby, biting down on her pen, trying to block the sound out, lest it would come back to haunt her later.
“Ahem…” Autumn hesitated.
The Doctor continued to potter around his magnificent ship whilst humming his tune.
Autumn tried again. “Ahem… Doctor…?”
The Doctor snapped out of his trance and faced his companion.
“Oh… Sorry about that. I sometimes induce a sort of trance upon myself to which my mind becomes oblivious to the rest of the universe. It’s useful for mediation but more often than not it makes me come across as ignorant.”
“What was that?”
“The tune?”
“Yes. It was beautiful,” Autumn admitted. “Almost mesmerising.”
The Doctor smiled. The same smile he inflicted upon all his companions when he prepared to grant them information. He always made himself happy by inflicting the wonders of the universe upon those that weren’t naturally bestowed with its divine beauty. Also it made him important, almost giving himself a purpose in life. It kept him going despite all the nightmares he had come across over his long and dangerous life.
“That was the Song of the Universe. It was taught to me by a very dear friend of mine, back on Gallifrey. In fact he taught me many things, including the vastness of the stars. He once said to me, ‘You only live once. The universe is your oyster and in order to experience life to its fullest you must fulfil your own destiny. Make your own decisions. Only then will you discover yourself.’ From that day on…”
Autumn stood in anticipation. Her eyes were glued to the Doctor.
“…I became a renegade and stole a TARDIS. Couldn’t stand living by the rules of my people, especially the notion of merely observing the universe rather than experiencing it. So I created my own destiny and ran away and things haven’t been the same since. The things I have seen…”
The Doctor paused. His face became distressed.
“…The things I have done.”
He quickly snapped out of it.
“Anyway, what’s with your sudden interest in my life?”
“It simply dawned on me that I know very little about you. I thought it’s about time to change that.”
“Very well. Let me show you who I am.”
The Doctor set a course for a brand new destination. With the pull of the final lever the TARDIS began its journey through the Time Vortex. Autumn continued to stand watch, leaning against the Console for security, pondering on where the Doctor intended to take them.
***
Elsewhere, a military truck pulled up. Soldiers gathered around the trunk. The person appeared to be of importance. The door was opened for them. A foot stepped out.
“Now, now gentlemen. There is no need for all this fuss.”
The man was revealed to be none other than Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. He stood tall and proud, if slightly unamused by the parade of soldiers running around after him.
“I’m only here on a visit.”
“This way, Sir Alistair.” A soldier directed him into UNIT HQ.
Inside the base UNIT worked around the clock to attend their duties. The Brigadier observed them in action. They appeared fast-paced, efficient and above all equipped with the latest technological gadgets.
“My, my. Back in my day we were just a glorified army. There was none of this technological mumbo-jumbo.”
“Times have had to change, Sir Alistair.”
A man stepped out to greet the Brigadier.
“Ah, I take it you’re my host for the day. Brigadier…”
“Brigadier Smith. This way, Sir Alistair.”
The Brigadier followed Brigadier Smith into his office. The Brigadier looked around, reminded by his glory days. Brigadier Smith noticed.
“If you’re wondering, yes, this is your old office.”
“I can see you’ve polished the place up a bit.”
“Why yes we have…”
“I don’t like it.”
“Oh… I do apologise, Sir Alistair. H-how was your journey here, Sir Alistair?”
“Pleasant. Better than being stuck on a plane to Peru.”
The Brigadier looked out of the window and observed UNIT HQ in all its glory. The entire base had been reformed for the modern UNIT.
“So much has changed since my days, Brigadier Smith. UNIT doesn’t feel the same anymore. I’ve heard the United Nations are even considering parting ways with us due to our organisation giving them a bad reputation in the general public’s eyes. What will we be called when that happens?”
“I heard Unified Intelligence Taskforce is one of the suggested names.”
“Unified Intelligence… With all this technological movement and introductions of these, quite frankly, absurd protocols it’s a wonder how UNIT is still in operation. No wonder they keep an old timer like myself on-board just in case they need advice from someone who actually knows what they’re doing. Smith?”
“A beg your pardon, Sir Alistair?”
The Brigadier turned to face Brigadier Smith.
“Your surname. What is your first name?”
“John, Sir Alistair.”
The Brigadier smiled.
“Now there’s a familiar name. It would certainly put a smile on his face.”
“I’m sorry, Sir Alistair, but I’m not following.”
“Goodness gracious, man. Don’t you read the files? I’m talking about the Doctor. ‘John Smith’ happened to be his oldest alias. Now he was a man of action. Sure we never always saw eye-to-eye but when it came down to it he always made sure UNIT was in the right place in order to save the day. I do miss him, you know.”
Private Alan barged into the office.
“Brigadier…!”
“Private Alan, how many times must I tell you to follow protocol.”
“Sorry, Brigadier.”
He saw the Brigadier. His face lit up with joy.
“Brigadier! The Brigadier!”
Private Alan rushed over and gave the Brigadier a huge handshake.
“It’s so good to see you, Brigadier. I’ve read all your files. You’ve battled so many monsters in your time. The Cybermen, the Autons, the Silurians, the Axons, the Zygons, Dinosaurs---”
“Yes, yes, quite. You seem to be some sort of fanatic. I suppose it’s nice to know someone here relishes on the glory days.”
“Can I ask,” Private Alan continued, “have you heard anything from the Doctor recently?”
The Brigadier went quiet. As if saddened by the Doctor’s absence in his life. Private Alan looked on awkwardly, knowing he’d opened a sensitive subject.
Suddenly an explosion occurred outside. The Brigadier, Brigadier Smith and Private Alan rushed to the window. UNIT soldiers ran into action. Lasers fired across the base. Soldiers began to vanish out of existence. UNIT started firing back at the unknown enemy.
The Brigadier turns. “I think it’s about time you did something, Brigadier.”
Brigadier Smith snapped out of his moment of panic and took charge. The Brigadier took out his infamous pistol. “Today’s your lucky day, Private. You get to see the old solider in action.”
“Ahem…” Autumn hesitated.
The Doctor continued to potter around his magnificent ship whilst humming his tune.
Autumn tried again. “Ahem… Doctor…?”
The Doctor snapped out of his trance and faced his companion.
“Oh… Sorry about that. I sometimes induce a sort of trance upon myself to which my mind becomes oblivious to the rest of the universe. It’s useful for mediation but more often than not it makes me come across as ignorant.”
“What was that?”
“The tune?”
“Yes. It was beautiful,” Autumn admitted. “Almost mesmerising.”
The Doctor smiled. The same smile he inflicted upon all his companions when he prepared to grant them information. He always made himself happy by inflicting the wonders of the universe upon those that weren’t naturally bestowed with its divine beauty. Also it made him important, almost giving himself a purpose in life. It kept him going despite all the nightmares he had come across over his long and dangerous life.
“That was the Song of the Universe. It was taught to me by a very dear friend of mine, back on Gallifrey. In fact he taught me many things, including the vastness of the stars. He once said to me, ‘You only live once. The universe is your oyster and in order to experience life to its fullest you must fulfil your own destiny. Make your own decisions. Only then will you discover yourself.’ From that day on…”
Autumn stood in anticipation. Her eyes were glued to the Doctor.
“…I became a renegade and stole a TARDIS. Couldn’t stand living by the rules of my people, especially the notion of merely observing the universe rather than experiencing it. So I created my own destiny and ran away and things haven’t been the same since. The things I have seen…”
The Doctor paused. His face became distressed.
“…The things I have done.”
He quickly snapped out of it.
“Anyway, what’s with your sudden interest in my life?”
“It simply dawned on me that I know very little about you. I thought it’s about time to change that.”
“Very well. Let me show you who I am.”
The Doctor set a course for a brand new destination. With the pull of the final lever the TARDIS began its journey through the Time Vortex. Autumn continued to stand watch, leaning against the Console for security, pondering on where the Doctor intended to take them.
***
Elsewhere, a military truck pulled up. Soldiers gathered around the trunk. The person appeared to be of importance. The door was opened for them. A foot stepped out.
“Now, now gentlemen. There is no need for all this fuss.”
The man was revealed to be none other than Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. He stood tall and proud, if slightly unamused by the parade of soldiers running around after him.
“I’m only here on a visit.”
“This way, Sir Alistair.” A soldier directed him into UNIT HQ.
Inside the base UNIT worked around the clock to attend their duties. The Brigadier observed them in action. They appeared fast-paced, efficient and above all equipped with the latest technological gadgets.
“My, my. Back in my day we were just a glorified army. There was none of this technological mumbo-jumbo.”
“Times have had to change, Sir Alistair.”
A man stepped out to greet the Brigadier.
“Ah, I take it you’re my host for the day. Brigadier…”
“Brigadier Smith. This way, Sir Alistair.”
The Brigadier followed Brigadier Smith into his office. The Brigadier looked around, reminded by his glory days. Brigadier Smith noticed.
“If you’re wondering, yes, this is your old office.”
“I can see you’ve polished the place up a bit.”
“Why yes we have…”
“I don’t like it.”
“Oh… I do apologise, Sir Alistair. H-how was your journey here, Sir Alistair?”
“Pleasant. Better than being stuck on a plane to Peru.”
The Brigadier looked out of the window and observed UNIT HQ in all its glory. The entire base had been reformed for the modern UNIT.
“So much has changed since my days, Brigadier Smith. UNIT doesn’t feel the same anymore. I’ve heard the United Nations are even considering parting ways with us due to our organisation giving them a bad reputation in the general public’s eyes. What will we be called when that happens?”
“I heard Unified Intelligence Taskforce is one of the suggested names.”
“Unified Intelligence… With all this technological movement and introductions of these, quite frankly, absurd protocols it’s a wonder how UNIT is still in operation. No wonder they keep an old timer like myself on-board just in case they need advice from someone who actually knows what they’re doing. Smith?”
“A beg your pardon, Sir Alistair?”
The Brigadier turned to face Brigadier Smith.
“Your surname. What is your first name?”
“John, Sir Alistair.”
The Brigadier smiled.
“Now there’s a familiar name. It would certainly put a smile on his face.”
“I’m sorry, Sir Alistair, but I’m not following.”
“Goodness gracious, man. Don’t you read the files? I’m talking about the Doctor. ‘John Smith’ happened to be his oldest alias. Now he was a man of action. Sure we never always saw eye-to-eye but when it came down to it he always made sure UNIT was in the right place in order to save the day. I do miss him, you know.”
Private Alan barged into the office.
“Brigadier…!”
“Private Alan, how many times must I tell you to follow protocol.”
“Sorry, Brigadier.”
He saw the Brigadier. His face lit up with joy.
“Brigadier! The Brigadier!”
Private Alan rushed over and gave the Brigadier a huge handshake.
“It’s so good to see you, Brigadier. I’ve read all your files. You’ve battled so many monsters in your time. The Cybermen, the Autons, the Silurians, the Axons, the Zygons, Dinosaurs---”
“Yes, yes, quite. You seem to be some sort of fanatic. I suppose it’s nice to know someone here relishes on the glory days.”
“Can I ask,” Private Alan continued, “have you heard anything from the Doctor recently?”
The Brigadier went quiet. As if saddened by the Doctor’s absence in his life. Private Alan looked on awkwardly, knowing he’d opened a sensitive subject.
Suddenly an explosion occurred outside. The Brigadier, Brigadier Smith and Private Alan rushed to the window. UNIT soldiers ran into action. Lasers fired across the base. Soldiers began to vanish out of existence. UNIT started firing back at the unknown enemy.
The Brigadier turns. “I think it’s about time you did something, Brigadier.”
Brigadier Smith snapped out of his moment of panic and took charge. The Brigadier took out his infamous pistol. “Today’s your lucky day, Private. You get to see the old solider in action.”
The Eighth Doctor Adventures
Rebirth
Written by John Hussey
The TARDIS materialised inside UNIT HQ. The Doctor stepped out, followed by Autumn.
“Ah, look at that.”
“An army base?”
“Not just any army base,” the Doctor replied. “This is UNIT HQ. That stands for United Nation Intelligence Taskforce. Their sort of top-secret special forces that investigates aliens. Only I supposed they’re not top-secret because everyone has heard about them.”
“That still doesn’t explain what we’re doing here.”
“To visit my life. I used to work for them. I still do in fact. Never actually resigned. You know me, better things to do.”
“So you ran away?” Autumn said.
“Yes. Quite so. Still it’s nice to return to my glory days, if you can call them that. I seem to recall despising being trapped in one primitive time-zone…”
An explosion erupted nearby. The Doctor and Autumn turned. They looked on concerned.
“Does trouble follow you wherever you land?”
“Apparently so.”
The Doctor rushed off. Autumn became confused.
“Where are you going?”
“To see if I can help,” the Doctor called back as he continued to run towards danger.
Autumn simply stood there and looked on.
“Every time.”
***
The Doctor entered the battlefield. UNIT soldiers rushed around everywhere whilst being attacked by an unknown force. Lasers fired. The Doctor ducked for cover as he tried getting closer to the action. He then saw a group of soldiers crouched, listening to the commands of Brigadier Smith. The Doctor moved over and intervened.
“Hey! What’re you doing here? This is a restricted area. Civilians shouldn’t be---”
“I’m not a civilian. I’m the Doctor. And if you want to survive this attack you had better listen.”
“How can you prove this? You could be an imposter.”
“UNIT associates!” the Doctor shouted. “Liz, Jo, Sarah, Harry, Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Captain Yates and Sergeant Benton. I travel in a space-time capsule known as the TARDIS. I come from Gallifrey, in the constellation of Kasterborous. I have saved your world from countless alien incursions, including those committed by the Master, UNIT’s number-one enemy.”
“Anyone could have researched that information. It doesn’t prove anything.”
The Doctor stood up, “Right then. I’ll prove my name the old fashioned way.”
The Doctor stepped out onto the battlefield. Fire, explosions, and death spread across the environment. The Doctor didn’t show any fear. He simply walked before the enemy. Every single UNIT officer stopped and watched, astonished by the man’s presence and courage.
The enemy also stopped. They looked like vicious ape-like creatures, bulky and full of strength. They stared back at the Doctor without fear in their large numbers. One of them spoke in a none-intelligent voice, “You will die, puny man.”
“Not today I’m afraid. This puny man happens to be…The Doctor.”
“Kill him!!”
The creatures prepared to fire.
The Doctor quickly took out his sonic screwdriver and activated it. The device released a deafening sonic wave, rendering the creatures helpless. They dropped their weapons due to the pain. The Doctor stopped. The creatures stared back. With a face of authority the Doctor simply said, “Now run.”
The creatures retreated. UNIT cheered at their victory. Brigadier Smith approached the Doctor, almost feeling embarrassed by his earlier remarks.
“So you really are him then?”
“Indeed I am, though I hadn’t counted on my credentials being rejected. Perhaps next time I should just do a demonstration first instead.”
“Doctor?” a voice asked from behind.
The Doctor turned. It was the Brigadier. The old soldiers face said it all. He was speechless, a tear almost coming to his eye from seeing his old friend standing before him once more.
“Is it really you after all these years?”
“Brigadier. So good to see you again.”
“I was beginning to think that our paths would never cross again.”
“Never say never, old friend. Anything is possible in my books. I thought you had retired. The last time we met you’d gone home to Doris. How is she by the way?”
“She’s fine,” the Brigadier replied. “We’re still happy. Unfortunately UNIT can’t stop pestering me. I keep getting called out for meetings in Peru as a sort of overseer.”
“I suppose they can’t survive without you.”
“If I may interrupt the chit-chat,” Brigadier Smith intervened. “Perhaps we could get back to business. What were those creatures?”
“Ogrons,” the Doctor answered, turning around to face Brigadier Smith. “They’re mercenaries for hire. Someone payed them to attack you, but why?”
“Doctor, I don’t suppose it’s the Daleks again?” the Brigadier asked.
“No. I shouldn’t think so. If the Daleks wanted to exterminate you they wouldn’t need the assistance of those brutes. No. This was someone else. But who? And why attack UNIT HQ? This doesn’t make sense.”
“Doctor!”
Autumn rushed over. Brigadier Smith looked unimpressed.
“Is she with you, Doctor?”
“Doctor, what’s going on,” Autumn asked.
“Of course!” the Doctor exclaimed. “This wasn’t an attack, it was a diversion.”
The Doctor turned back toward Brigadier Smith, “You. Mr...?”
“Smith. Brigadier Smith.”
“Smith. Almost like my pseudonym. I don’t suppose your first name is John by any chance?”
“If you’ve quite finished, Doctor, there is a matter at hand that has to be dealt with.”
“Well you’re no fun. Anyway, this diversion. They must have wanted to distract you for a reason. So what might that be? Any top secret projects I should know about, something that might have attracted the attention of a hostile alien mercenary force?”
“Only the alien technology we’ve recovered over the years. We store it inside the Black Archive.”
“And what’s the Black Archive?”
“It would be easier if we showed you,” the Brigadier replied.
***
The Doctor was shown around the Black Archive. It was a huge warehouse, spliced with simplistic time-dimension technology so that it was slightly bigger on the inside. There were several rows of racks, all stacked high full of lethal alien technology that could be used to crack Earth open like an egg. The Doctor looked on unamused.
“So why wasn’t I informed about this?” the Doctor asked. “I am a senior member of UNIT after all.”
“You weren’t informed about this because you might have disapproved,” Brigadier Smith replied. “And also you have been placed on the retirement pile due to your lack of duty in the last 15 years.”
“Indeed I would have,” the Doctor spoke under his breath.
Suddenly Private Alan called them over, believing to have located the missing item. The Doctor followed the others to the location. Autumn stared silently, pondering on the Doctor’s old life. It didn’t seem to click. She simply couldn’t imagine the Doctor being a soldier, let alone being a member of the Special Forces. But then, he had conformed, of course. He’d sat back and ticked the same box as everyone else in the room, completing the unanimous decision to destroy her home. There really was no predicting his actions.
They came to the empty space where the item once stood.
“As you can see, sirs,” Private Alan announced, “nothing dangerous was taken.”
“What was it?” the Brigadier asked.
“Just some alien circuits,” Private Alan replied. “Strange really. Why come all this way just to steal something of insignificance?”
The Doctor sighed.
Everyone turned to his attention.
“There is nothing more dangerous than human intelligence on a bad day. And this is certainly one of them. Handling alien technology is a stupid thing to do and now you have attracted mercenaries to your front door. Worse than that is what they have taken.”
“And as we’ve discovered,” Brigadier Smith added, looking on in anger trying to take charge back into his favour. “The technology stolen wasn’t anything dangerous---”
“Dangerous? Oh my poor deluded human idiot, you don’t seem to realise the gravity of the situation.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Of course you don’t. You’re an idiot. Worse, a military idiot. Everything in this Vault is dangerous. Maybe not on its own but with the right combination of parts you can easily build a weapon of destruction. Clearly the Ogrons were sent here for a specific item, i.e. those circuits.”
“So,” the Brigadier interrupted. “We have ourselves a situation then.”
“I’m afraid we do, Brigadier. Nice to know someone here is keeping up. No wonder they keep bringing you back.”
The Doctor rushed off.
Brigadier Smith shouted after him, demanding to know where he was heading.
“I have to follow them,” the Doctor shouted back.
Brigadier Smith took out his pistol, “I demand you come back, Doctor, and explain yourself immediately!”
The Brigadier punched him, knocking him to the ground.
“You’ll be resigned for this, Alistair!” Brigadier Smith snarled, bleeding on the ground.
“I’m already resigned. Come along.”
The Brigadier and Autumn ran after the Doctor. Private Alan simply looked on in astonishment.
***
The Doctor arrived at the TARDIS and began to enter. The Brigadier and Autumn caught up.
“Wait, Doctor,” the Brigadier announced.
“I’m sorry, Brigadier, but I simply haven’t got time for goodbyes nor explanations for idiots like Smith.”
“Goodbyes and explanations? I’m going with you.”
The Doctor turned in confusion.
“I’m sorry?”
“You heard me, Doctor, I’m coming with you. All the times I missed out going with you to the stars and now I can come with you and help. I’m a part of this now whether you like it or not.”
“Oh, very well,” the Doctor hesitated. “But no using guns unnecessarily. I have a thing about guns.”
“I remember.”
“Well then, off we---”
“Wait!” a voice echoed.
Private Alan rushed over. The Doctor looked on with more confusion.
“Now what?”
“I’m coming too,” Private Alan stated, out of breath due to the running.
“I’m sorry?”
“He’s a big fan of our work,” the Brigadier answered.
“Please,” Private Alan continued. “I might not get another chance.”
The Doctor paused for a moment.
“Fine. But don’t get in the way.”
The Doctor allowed his new passengers to board. Autumn turned to him with even more confusion. The Doctor noticed.
“You’ve been awfully quiet today.”
“It’s just---” Autumn replied, hesitantly. “I never imagined you being a soldier.”
“I’m not. I never was, and never will be. The day I hang up my title as ‘Doctor’ is the day the universe loses all other hope.”
Autumn wondered what the Doctor thought of her right now. The typical companion, looking on in awe through her own innocence? She hoped he knew her better than that. Or maybe not – it was better if he had no idea what she was thinking, no idea that she was thinking; no idea that her mind was whirring even faster than his, calculating the next stage in her plan every second. She entered the TARDIS. The Doctor looked upon UNIT HQ one last time before entering himself. Within moments the TARDIS dematerialised.
***
The TARDIS materialised. The Doctor exited. He examined the surroundings. The corridors looked old, old like ruins. It appeared almost medieval with hints of technology. The Doctor gave a signal to his companions. One by one they exited. The Brigadier looked on at his new surroundings.
“Where are we, Doctor?”
“Asteroid 7, or more commonly known as ‘the Isolation Zone’. It is, or was, the home of the Headless Monks. One of the many religious orders within the Church of the Papal Mainframe. This asteroid was literally a place they could set up a monastery and contemplate the universe in eternal silence.”
The Doctor and the Brigadier stared out of a window. Outside was the empty asteroid followed by the endless star-systems above.
“You were right, Doctor,” the Brigadier added. “The universe is truly a wondrous place.”
“Wow,” Private Alan exclaimed.
The Doctor and the Brigadier turned to face him. Private Alan wondered around the corridor in excitement, like a kid in a sweetshop. The Doctor walked over. He put his hand on his shoulder.
“What do you think?”
“I can’t explain it,” Private Alan replied. “It’s just so---”
“I know. I get that feeling all the time. You’re experiencing the beauty of the universe. All of its endless possibilities. All of the was, the now and the what could be. The universe is always expanding. Everyday something new comes along to surprise me.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
The Doctor smiled, “You’re most welcome.”
The Doctor returned his attention to the Ogrons.
“So then, the Ogrons. This is there base and whatever they are planning, or more accurately, what their employer is planning, we must stop them. Any questions?
The Brigadier smiled, indicating his eagerness to get started.
The Doctor led his companions through the monastery. It was dark and grim. Cobwebs formulated across the infrastructure. The Doctor illuminated the way with an old fashioned lit torch.
“I never mentioned,” the Brigadier spoke. “About the change?”
“Well, it’s probably because you’re used to it by now,” the Doctor replied.
“I suppose. I’ve never asked, does it hurt changing your body?”
“Hard to describe. Some might call it rebirth or renewal. Others would call it death. Each time a part of me disappears whilst another part of me simply takes on the mantle of my legacy. It’s still me, only it isn’t me. My personality, and who I am, changes and reassembles in a different coding. After all this time you’d think one would get used to it. It still remains a mystery to me.”
The Brigadier simply listened with concern for his old friend. Almost like hearing a new perspective on life. Suddenly the Doctor stopped and hushed his companions. Ahead of them there was a passing shadow.
“Ogron?” the Brigadier whispered.
The Doctor nodded. With his sonic screwdriver he dimmed the flame on his torch. Private Alan was wowed. Awesome. The Doctor had his companions moved slowly towards the ape-like creature.
“So, what’s the plan?” Autumn asked.
The Doctor replied, “We follow it until it leads us to their base of operation.”
“And then?”
“I haven’t the foggiest idea.”
The Doctor and his companions continued to follow the Ogron. The creature was oblivious to their presence. It continued to walk down the corridor, its dematerialisation gun in its holster. The Doctor was hesitant. He didn’t wish to grant the Ogron the chance to fire its deadly weapon. They finally came to an opening. A cross-road of corridors. It was a circular room with four corridors branching off it. The Doctor tried to get in closer. Unfortunately he wasn’t aware of the leaking ceiling above. Splash. A puddle was ruptured. The Doctor froze. The Ogron turned.
“Get down!” the Doctor shouted.
The Doctor, the Brigadier and Autumn scattered as the Ogron pulled out its weapon and prepared to fire. Private Alan, however, held his ground. He pulled out his own weapon with fast reflexes.
“No!”
The Ogron fell dead to the ground. The Doctor looked on in horror. Private Alan on the other hand felt victorious. The Doctor turned in anger, snatching the gun from Private Alan before throwing it the floor.
“I don’t ever use guns unless I have no other choice.”
“But I---”
“Never!! It’s the one thing that distinguishes me from my enemies. If I start acting like them then I might as well give up my title because I would no longer be a healer.”
The Doctor turned to storm off. He was then met with a gun to his face.
“Not so fast,” the Ogron announced.
The Doctor and his companions had been surrounded. The Doctor looked on annoyed, knowing too well he had no other choice but to surrender. He put his hands up. His companions did the same.
***
The Doctor and his companions were taken into the master chamber. It was originally intended for the head Monk, the overseer. The chamber was allocated at the top of the monastery for that very reason so that the overseer could overlook their surroundings and be the closest to God. This granted them a sense of power beyond the other Headless Monks.
The Ogrons came to a halt. The Doctor was thrown forward to the ground. His companions tried to wrestle free to help him but were unable to resist the strength of the Ogrons. The lead Ogron grabbed the Doctor, pulling him to his knees, before tightly gripping him. The Doctor groaned under his breath.
“Don’t hurt him,” a weak voice spoke.
The Doctor looked up. There was an old stone chair in front of him. It was facing away from him but it was clear someone was sat on the other side.
“After all,” the voice continued. “He is our guest here and we should show him at least some form of hospitality.”
The Ogron released the Doctor. It stepped back. It was clear whoever sat in the chair was the leader of the operation and the Ogrons feared them. The Doctor looked on in concern.
“Come closer, Doctor. Let me…See you again. It has been so long since our last encounter.”
The Doctor moved forward and stopped before the chair.
“Who are you?”
“Shame on you. When we were kids, you always said you could sense my presence. Has your hatred of me clouded that old friendship?”
“It can’t be.”
The Doctor hesitantly turned the stone chair around. The Doctor looked on in shock. Sat in the chair was a man, covered in an old hooded cloak. It was raggedy, ancient looking. As for the man, he was deformed. Time had decayed his body. He looked like the living dead. His hands and face showed more signs of bone than flesh, with the skin barely hanging on as it withered away. Despite all this the Doctor could deduce who it was. He always knew through a telepathic connection from childhood. It was the Master.
“How?” the Doctor asked with fear.
“How what, Doctor?” the Master replied. “How am I still alive after you murdered me?”
“That’s not what happened.”
“Isn’t it? You threw me into the Eye of Harmony, let me be swallowed up by the raw energies of time itself.”
“I tried to save you.”
“Ha! Your justification for everything. Your own personal medicine to help you sleep at night. Never mind all the lives you’ve manipulated, all the people you’ve put in harm’s way, all the civilisations you play God with, all those supposed evil creatures you have destroyed. No. Simply because you tried means that you are the good man. When will you stop lying to yourself?”
“How did you survive?” the Doctor snapped.
There was a slight pause before the Master replied.
“Though the body transfer in your TARDIS wasn’t complete I still managed to gather up enough energy to renew myself. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances that followed I was forced to use the energy to teleport myself to safety. But time had already done its damage. I have been scarred by it.”
The Master tore open the rags around his chest. The Doctor observed. The Master had a hole through his chest surrounded by cracks that were slowly eating away the rest of his body.
“Nothingness. Endless eternity flows through my veins.”
The Doctor tried to be sympathetic. The Master didn’t believe him, knowing too well that the Doctor would never forgive him for his actions. The Doctor then tried to understand his great nemesis.
“So, I’m guessing this is another stolen body, like with Tremas and Bruce the Ambulance driver?”
“Why, of course. I no longer have the ability to regenerate, as well you know by now. Stealing the life-force of the living was the only means I had to prolong death. But now, even that option is useless. Time eats away at my soul every day. Each time I steal someone’s body they decay faster than the last. This is my one hundredth body. I’m running out of time, Doctor. I feel death growing closer and closer.”
“And what do you want me to do about? Beg the High Council to reconsider their offer of granting you a new regeneration cycle? Or go to Death herself and tell her the Master isn’t ready for the next life?”
The Master let out one of his infamous chuckles but quickly started choking, spitting out dry blood in the process. He leaned back. The Doctor observed his old friend. This time the Doctor really did feel sorry for him. He knew that he was dying and there wasn’t anything he could do to stop it. At the same time the Doctor thought about the Master’s wrongs and felt he deserved such a treatment. He felt that he had avoided death long enough and had to atone for his long list of sins. But at the same time the Doctor wasn’t a saint and he knew that. How did he have the right to judge the Master when in many ways he had created him?
The Doctor leaned in close, hoping to have one last moment with his old friend.
“Master. Is there anything I can do?”
“Well,” the Master replied as he leant forward. “There is one thing you can do.”
The Doctor felt a connection. For the first time in centuries he felt like he had his old friend back and in his dying moments he might repent. Also the Doctor hoped that he could finally tell him that he was sorry.
“Die.”
The Doctor’s face turned to shock. The Master quickly took out a knife from inside his cloak and stabbed the Doctor in the chest. The Doctor fell back, clutching his chest as he choked and bled out. The Master could do nothing but gloat at the sight of his arch-nemesis squirming for his life. His friends could do nothing but watch. As the pain took hold and sound turned to echo the Doctor’s world turned dark.
***
The Doctor’s vision blurred in and out of consciousness. All he could hear was the echoed voices of his companions. Autumn. The Brigadier. Private Alan. They all stood over him, desperate to awaken their sleepy Time Lord.
The Doctor finally came to. Slowly he learnt of the terrible truth. He jolted. He was in an upright surgery table. His blood tied to drips and his hearts beating on a monitor. He also noticed his stab wound had been crudely stitched up.
His companions were still restrained.
The Master wondered around, all supreme and mighty.
“You are getting too predictable, Doctor. It has become so easy to lure you into a trap.”
The Doctor tried to break free, his anger boiling to the surface. He couldn’t escape.
“Don’t bother, Doctor, you are perfectly contained. The trap has been sprung, your defeat has already come.”
“I’ve heard that before,” the Doctor replied. His face was becoming desperate. The Doctor tried scanning his environment for a means of escape but to no avail. He was slowly realising that the Master may have actually won. Now he began to fear what his old friend had in mind for him.
“So then. What do you want with me? You clearly brought me here for a purpose, so what is it? Tell what you want!”
The Master leaned in. His decaying face smiled, revealing the worn-down teeth beneath the cracked lips.
“Rebirth.”
“Rebirth? I don’t understand.”
“I think you do, Doctor, you just don’t want to come to the dreaded conclusion that I have brought you here to die so that I can live.”
“How do you plan to steal my body?”
The Master clapped sarcastically.
“There you go, Doctor. That’s the fire I wanted to see right before your demise. You were always clever but not enough to rid yourself of that pathetic weakness. What was it called again?”
“Compassion,” the Doctor replied without shame.
“That’s the one. That feeble emotion that has cost you time and time again. Your attachment to your friends and your commitment to be ‘the good man’ will always bring you here. If it wasn’t me, then someone else. Eventually, Doctor, you would have always died by your enemies’ hand because they have the ability to do what you won’t.”
“Am I supposed to feel threatened? Ashamed of my life and my decisions? Because I would gladly do it all again. I am proud of my achievements because that is what they are. I didn’t stand by and let the universe rot away, I became a part of its wonders. Whilst you on the other hand sought out to create chaos. Some mighty contribution you made.”
The Master smiled before backhanding the Doctor around the face. The Doctor breathed in deep as he recovered from the blow.
“Denial is another of your weaknesses. You just can’t bear to admit that deep down, you’re just like me.”
“That’s because it isn’t true!”
“It doesn’t matter now. I have gotten past the point of trying to bring you down to my level and to make you admit the truth that we have both known since we were children. But perhaps you can think on this conversation during your final hour of life, and in your final breath make peace with yourself.”
The Doctor stared down his great nemesis with a glare of pure hatred. The Master noticed.
“I always love it when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?” the Doctor replied angrily.
“Like a killer.”
The Doctor turned silent for a moment before replying.
“So how do you intend to take over my body this time, oh great Master?”
“So glad you’ve finally asked. It’s so ingenious I’m ashamed at myself for not thinking of it before. I’m going to become you.”
The Doctor looked at him in shock. He finally realised what the stolen equipment was for, what it could become a part of. The Doctor now knew what will become of him.
“You can’t.”
“But I can. And I will.”
“The process is unstable, even for a Time Lord. You could end up killing us both.”
“Taking you with me, wouldn’t that be glorious. I suppose you wouldn’t understand my desperation because you haven’t met death directly in the face and had to escape its hand. I have one last chance to survive and what better way than to take the body of the man I hate the most in this universe.”
“Why don’t I help you?” the Doctor asked desperately. “Why don’t we come up with a solution together?”
“Trying to bargain for your life, Doctor? Well it won’t work. If you cared enough about me then you would’ve helped me centuries ago instead of passing off my mental imbalance to insanity. I am troubled. Afraid of the rhythm in my head.”
“There is no rhythm. It’s only you.”
“Shut up!”
The Master prepared to stab the Doctor again, this time a fatal blow to the heart. He stopped at the last second. The Doctor didn’t flinch but on the inside trembled at the situation. His grip tightened. The Master pulled back, whipping away the spit from his mouth. He gazed at the Doctor and scoffed.
“A quick death would be too easy for you, Doctor. I’d prefer you to suffer just as I have.”
The Master turned to his Ogron minions.
“Prepare the transfer.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Ogrons moved into action. They activated the machine through clicking dials and pulling levers. Electricity built around the room. The Doctor looked on concerned whilst the Master stayed silent, observing his masterpiece unfold. The Doctor’s companions could do nothing but watch.
“And what makes you think I will just willingly give over my body, Master?” the Doctor asked over the noise of the energy build-up.
“Because I have you safely contained. And secondly I have your friends. Should you even attempt to escape I will have them killed, slowly and painfully.”
“You’re bluffing. That’s cold even for you.”
Without hesitation the Master took one of the Ogron’s guns and shot the Brigadier’s leg.
“Do not underestimate what I will do in order to survive, Doctor! I’ve come a long way since our childhood days and today of all days is not a wise day to push your luck with me!”
The Doctor strained in his harness to try and do something. The Brigadier fell down. Autumn and Private Alan attended to him.
“You monster,” Autumn replied.
“Doctor, what do we do?” Private Alan asked in desperation, hoping for the Time Lord to have a plan up his sleeve. The Doctor looked on, everything becoming a blur. Private Alan continued asking but didn’t get an answer.
“You win.”
The room went silent. Everyone’s attention turned to the Doctor. The Master was gobsmacked.
“Say that again.”
“I give up, Master. It’s over. You’ve won.”
The Master almost shed a tear.
“I have waited a long time for you to say that.”
The Master then proceeded to latch himself into his own stand-up surgery table. His blood and heartbeat were attached to the drips and machinery. The Master looked over at the Doctor. He saw a broken man without hope. The Master let out a light chuckle followed by an insane laughter.
“This is perfect!!! I’ve won!!! I’ve beaten the Doctor!!! After all these years I’ve finally beaten him in the cruellest game!!!”
The Doctor said nothing.
Suddenly the Master glowed white. He was fixed to his table. The Doctor did the same. He strained in pain. This is the end.
“Rebirth!!!” the Master shouted.
The lights then converged and the two Time Lord souls moved across the room within the light energy. They crossed over and went towards each other’s bodies. A final gust of energy erupted before the room went back to normal. The Master didn’t move. He stood there, leaning his head sideways as if dead. The Doctor then began to twitch his fingers. The Doctor’s companions and the Ogrons watched in confusion.
“Re…release…me,” strained the Doctor.
The Ogrons looked on in further confusion.
“But---”
“D-do it,” the Doctor replied.
The Ogron went over slowly and released the Doctor. He fell to the ground. It took him a few moments to pull himself to his feet. The Doctor then started to laugh.
“What’s so funny, Doctor,” Autumn asked with concern.
“Rebirth.”
“Something isn’t right,” Autumn stated.
“What do you mean?” Private Alan asked.
“That’s not the Doctor.”
The Doctor turned to face them.
“You’re quite observant, Miss Rivers. I’m not the Doctor.”
“Then who are you?” Private Alan demanded.
“Haven’t you been paying attention? Rebirth. I have claimed my rebirth. For I am the Master anew.”
The Master, with the Doctor’s words, laughs sinisterly.
***
Autumn, the Brigadier and Private Alan had now been confined to a cell with Ogrons on guard outside. Private Alan attended to the Brigadier’s wounds as best as he could. The Brigadier grunted. A layer of his skin had been completely removed by the dematerialisation gun. Autumn paced up and down.
“You know,” said Private Alan. “Despite the fact that things look grim I am still happy that I got to meet the Doctor. He’s certainly something. Just a shame I let him down.”
“You didn’t let him down,” the Brigadier added. “I’ve made that man angry plenty of times before you for similar reasons. Heck, he once stopped talking to me for weeks after I blew up a Silurian base.”
They both laughed.
Autumn looked over angrily.
“How can you both be laughing at a time like this? The Doctor’s body has been taken over by a mad man and we’re stuck in here unable to help!”
The Brigadier pulled himself to his feet, grunting in the process.
“Young lady, I have known the Doctor twice as long as you and I know that he never gives up. And do you know why?”
Autumn gently shook her head.
“Because he has us. He has always had us. He once told me his companions define him. So let’s prove that today. Let us save the Doctor.”
Autumn smiled.
“Where do we begin?” Private Alan gleefully added.
***
The Ogrons continued to stand outside the cell. Suddenly Autumn started to cry out for help. The Ogron noticed and looked on through the hatch in the door. Autumn was cradling the Brigadier who appeared to have stopped breathing. The Ogron decided to enter. As soon as it entered Private Alan jumped out from behind the door and knocked the creature unconscious.
“Well done, lad,” the Brigadier whispered.
“One down, one to go,” Private Alan replied.
Private whistled. The other Ogron responded. Like with the first one it fell into the trap and was knocked unconscious. Autumn pulled the Brigadier to his feet. Private Alan grabbed the Ogron’s weapons.
“Insurance. Hopefully we won’t have to use them.”
“What’s got into you?” Autumn asked.
Private Alan smiled.
“I’m doing it the Doctor’s way. Now come on.”
They exited their cell. Private Alan became the designated protector whilst Autumn helped the Brigadier along, now having a limp due to his injured leg.
“So, where are we heading?” Private Alan asked.
“We need to find a way to stop the Master and then get the Doctor’s body back,” the Brigadier replied.
“And how do we do that?” Private Alan answered back.
“Why don’t we ask him?” Autumn added.
The Brigadier and Private Alan looked ahead. There was a confused Ogron standing before them.
“Prisoners out of cell? Prisoners should not be out of cell. I tell Master.”
Private Alan raised his weapon.
“Not so fast, Ogron. Now…You’re going to tell us how to save the Doctor.”
***
The Doctor was still restrained. The Master, in the Doctor’s body, paraded up and down. He smiled with both menace and happiness. The Ogrons simply watched him.
“This is… perfect. To think I’ve succeeded where Guardians, Time Lords and Daleks have all failed. I’ve finally beaten you. And now I have your body, your mind and, your remaining regenerations. Disappointing I haven’t got a full cycle to play with but I’m sure with this face I can easily persuade the High Council to grant me a new one. After all, you have saved Gallifrey from countless invasions, one of them my own, tricked President Borusa into playing Rassilon’s final game, escaped two trials, defeated the great Morbius twice, relit the Sacred Flames, destroyed Skaro with the Hand of Omega and even gained and lost the position of Lord President in one day. Quite the track record. And now, I can undo it all.”
The Master laughed sinisterly.
“Why?” the Doctor replied in a weak voice. “Why only destroy? Why can’t you see the beauty of the universe instead of just the darkness?”
“Because the darkness consumed me, a long, long time ago. I saw the universe for what it was. It’s about time you do too. Or wait. You might not be able to since the new body you wear has mere hours of breath left.”
“You’ve made your point. Now stop. I can help you before it’s too late.”
The Master leaned in.
“It’s already too late. Now sit by and watch as your life-force drains, knowing that I will walk away with your body to do unspeakable things. I can walk into the heart of the Citadel, passed the Chancellor’s guards, and stab the Lord President in their hearts, claiming presidency for myself. I could even turn all of your victories into defeats. Imagine the chaos that would create? Or…” the Master paused. “Even better. I could revisit all your companions, one by one, and kill them.”
The Doctor’s eyes opened wide. His fists clenched.
“Don’t you dare!!”
“And the best part is they wouldn’t see it coming. They’d think their old Doctor has come back to them and then…They witness in their final moments their beloved Doctor choking them, stamping out their last breathe. And all I will see in their eyes before they black out forever is ‘why?’ Why, Doctor? Why are you doing this? It will be, spectacular.”
The Master laughed and laughed and laughed.
“This is it, Doctor. My final victory!”
The Doctor managed to free himself from his restraints and in a burst of anger lunged at the Master. The Master turned, his attention momentarily slipped, and looked on in shock. He quickly dodged the decrepit Doctor. The Doctor fell violently to the ground. The Master laughed before leaning down next to the Doctor. His enemy had weakened. He clutched his chest for air, coughing in the process. The Master almost pitied him, the same face the Doctor gave to him.
“You know, if it’s any consolation, Doctor. I still admire you. But that won’t save you. I’m afraid you’ve hurt me too much.”
“I-I’m sorry…I-I couldn’t…S-save you…”
“I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about that day, back on Gallifrey. All those years ago when you let me down in the biggest way possible. I will never forgive you for that. You once said I was your best friend and that you would always be there for me. Some lie that was. After all the things I had done for you. All the new ideas I gave to you. I made you who you were and then you spat poison back in my face. Call this my revenge exacted. Now, look me in the eye and tell me I was right. Tell me what I want to know! Tell me you’re just like me!!”
The Doctor looked up.
“I’m---”
The sound of a gun clicked. The Master turned his head. The Brigadier, Autumn and Private Alan were standing before him. A scared Ogron stood beside them. The Master stood up, unafraid by the presence of the Doctor’s friends.
“I’m sorry, Master. They---”
The Master killed the grovelling Ogron. The rest of the Ogrons ran for the nearest exit in terror. The Master’s eye became intense. His resolve burning through them. He was renewed, stronger than ever and more determined to win than ever before.
“So?” the Master stated. “You’ve come to save the day have you? How, amusing. But you should’ve saved yourself the trouble. It’s already too late.”
“It’s never too late,” Private Alan declared.
“You’ve gone too far this time, Master. Surrender… or else.” the Brigadier added.
“Or else?” the Master replied.
“Give us back the Doctor or we will make sure that you never leave here alive!!” Autumn shouted out.
The Master let out one of his infamous laughs.
“Is that supposed to sound threatening? Are you all really trying to play grown-ups now that your stabilisers have been taken away? This is a pathetic sight.”
“Stop…” the Doctor asked, barely clinging onto life in the Master’s old, decaying body.
The Master looked back to the Doctor then back at his companions. He smiled with sinister intent. The Brigadier noticed and tried to warn the others.
“Look out!!”
The Master fired his weapon. Private Alan pushed Autumn out of the way with seconds to spare.
“I forgot, Brigadier. You know me too well.”
The Master threw away his weapon. He then approached Autumn and grabbed her by the throat. He pulled her off her feet and began to choke her. Private Alan got up and pointed his own weapon directly to the Master’s head.
“Let her go or I’ll---”
“You’ll what? You won’t shoot me. You’re clearly trying to impress the Doctor so you know he won’t appreciate unnecessary violence. Also, if you shoot me you’ll destroy the Doctor’s body. But then again you’re a soldier and soldiers are only good for one thing.”
Private Alan stared into the Master’s eyes, remembering that he was talking through the Doctor’s body. He finally lowered his weapon and threw it to the ground.
“Not this soldier.”
“A pity. Now you’re no better than the Doctor.”
With his spare hand the Master backhanded Private Alan to the ground. He then dropped Autumn to the floor. She coughed violently as she gasped for air. The Doctor could do nothing but watch, clinging on to his last ounce of life.
“Compassion…is…a…weakness. Don’t follow the Doctor’s example.”
“Then I suppose you’re in luck.”
The Master turned to face the Brigadier. The Master smiled.
“You should be grateful that I lowered the gun’s settings to its lowest. At full power you would’ve lost your leg completely.”
“I would never thank an enemy, especially you Master. Now stand down!”
“Why do you continue to fight for him? What is the point? Does this crusade mean that much to you that you are willing to die for a man whose name you don’t know?
“For that man, I’d happily go to Hell and back. That’s what he means to me. You clearly don’t understand the concept of friendship.”
The Master approached the Brigadier with overconfidence.
“Well I needn’t look into that too much because what’s one frail old man going to do against---”
With that the Brigadier unexpectedly performed Venusian Aikido on the Master, paralysing him momentarily before the Brigadier flipped him over his shoulder. The Master crashed to the ground and fell unconscious.
“Quickly,” the Brigadier turned.
Autumn pulled herself up and approached. The Brigadier grabbed the Master and pulled him up.
“Here, help me carry him.”
Autumn followed the instructions. She helped the Brigadier drag the Master towards the upright operating table the Master was earlier strapped to. The Brigadier and Autumn tied him up accordingly. The Doctor coughed up blood before tilting his head, as if his energy suddenly depleted. Autumn noticed and rushed over.
“Doctor!!”
“Don’t you die on us now, Doctor,” the Brigadier ordered whilst he finished retraining the Master.
“I’m ready!” Private Alan announced, having gotten up and moved over to the machine’s switch. The Doctor looked up at Autumn and wheezed out words. Goodbye.
“No,” whispered Autumn. “You do not give up yet. You do not leave me. You have a duty to stay.” She paused, considering what she really wanted to say: you have to stay alive so that you can watch my plan unravel.
The Brigadier looked on, realising. The Doctor was out of time. He gave the order. With that Private Alan pulled the switch. The machinery operated in reverse and within moments the same electrical energies sparked around the Doctor and the Master. The Brigadier stepped back. Autumn didn’t want to let the Doctor go. Private Alan stepped in and saved her from being killed by the process.
The Master awoke. His face turned to shock.
“No. No, this cannot be correct. I had won. I will not… I will be beaten this time!!”
The process entered the final phase. The Doctor’s and the Master’s souls escaped their opposite bodies and returned home. The energies calmed down. Everything turned silent. The Doctor’s friends stood by hesitantly. They approached the Doctor and wondered if he was okay. After a couple of seconds of panic the Doctor coughed and sprang back to life. Autumn hugged him in relief. Private Alan smiled. The Brigadier grabbed his shoulder, “Welcome back, Doctor.”
“It’s good to be back, Brigadier.”
The Doctor, with the help of the Brigadier, freed himself from his restraints. The Doctor caught his breath before turning to Private Alan.
“You threw away the gun.”
Private Alan looked on in confusion.
“That made you the better man. Today you became more than a soldier. You became a hero.”
Private Alan could do nothing but grin. These words meant a lot to him. His hero complimented him and showed he was proud.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You!!!”
Everyone’s attention turned to the Master, who was now stood before them.
“You ruined everything for me again.”
“Stand down,” Private Alan ordered.
“It’s over, Master,” the Brigadier added. “This time you’re finished.”
“I am never finished. I’m a survivor. By any means necessary. Until the day my purpose is completed.”
The Doctor pulled away from his friends to help.
“Let me help you, Master. It’s not too late for redemption.”
The Master pulled back.
“Typical, Doctor. Always willing to hold out the hand of friendship despite his enemy attempting to claim the life of himself and his friends. It sickens me. And that’s why I am destined to kill you.”
Suddenly the base began to explode. The machinery overloaded and caused a chain-reaction. The ceiling crumbled between the Doctor and the Master. The Master forced himself back onto his feet and dragged himself to safety. The Brigadier raised his weapon. The Doctor intervened.
“No, it’s not worth it. He’s done. He cannot hurt us anymore.”
With that he led his friends to safety as the base continued to fall apart.
***
The Doctor and his companions managed to return to the cross-road corridor in which they were earlier captured. The Time Lord stumbled and fell. Autumn came to his rescue. The Brigadier watched out for danger. The entire base was unstable, explosions got closer as the rumbles increased in strength.
“I’ll be alright,” the Doctor announced. “The strain of the body swap is quickly fading.”
He clutched his chest in pain. Autumn and Private Alan helped him to his feet. The Doctor managed to stand straight before needing to lean upon Autumn for support. Private Alan became concerned.
“Is there anything that can be done?”
“Don’t worry, Alan, you’ve done enough for me today,” replied the Doctor.
Private Alan smiled.
“As I said before, you have come a long way today. Not many soldiers have the unique qualities that you showcased today; courage, loyalty and humanity. For that I am proud to consider you a friend. Perhaps when this is all over, you’d like to take a trip with me in the TARDIS.”
“I’d be---”
Before Private Alan could finish his sentence he froze. The Doctor looked on in confusion. Suddenly a decayed hand lingered over Private Alan’s shoulder, accompanied by a familiar laughter. The Doctor grunted in anger. The Master revealed himself. He lingered behind Private Alan as he held him still like his very own puppet.
“Dammit, Master, let him go!!”
“And why should I? Why should I let you escape unscathed after you ruined my plans?
The Doctor became desperate. “Please, Master, whatever emotions you are feeling right now they are directed at me, so let Alan go.”
“You never get it do you, Doctor? Myself and others attack your companions because it attacks you in the most personal way possible. I’ll call this my pay back and insurance policy for future encounters.”
The Brigadier raised his gun. “You don’t have a future!”
“Don’t do it, Brigadier,” the Doctor pleaded. “Let me handle this.”
“Sorry, Doctor,” the Brigadier replied. “This time I’m going to give this monster what he deserves.”
The Brigadier prepared to pull the trigger. The Master laughed. The Brigadier inquired.
The Master replied, “You say I have no future but you are deadly wrong. Mr. Alan here is my future.”
The Brigadier looked on in concern. The Doctor realised the Master’s intention.
“Don’t do it, Master!!”
“The Master…Reborn…”
Before anyone could stop him, the Master merged himself with Private Alan. Private Alan could do nothing but watch as his life was taken from him in his petrified state. The Master laughed and laughed. The Doctor and his companions watched in horror. A bright light, like regeneration energy, continued to glow around Private Alan as his body morphed between himself and the decayed Master. Finally the Master dominated Private Alan. His mind fused with Private Alan’s body, whilst his decayed body disappeared completely. In the final stage of the take-over, the clothes around Private Alan changed. The transformation ended. Private Alan stood there in a Master-like costume. The Master laughed. The Doctor fell to his knees, speechless.
“Rebirth is such a wonderful thing.”
“What have you done to Private Alan?” the Brigadier demanded.
“I’ve taken over him of course. I first did this some hundred years ago on the planet Traken. I believe the man was called Tremas. That body lasted me for some time, and I hope this body does the same. At least until I can find a better means of survival.”
“You are going to pay dearly this time, Master. Mark my words I will---”
“You have the Doctor to blame for this, Brigadier. He should’ve known letting me escape instead of you shooting me was always going to end this way. My time spent in the Doctor’s body gave me all the time I needed to generate energy to stabilise my condition of decay at the hands of time.”
The Brigadier looked at the Doctor. He remained on his knees, not saying a word. The Master chuckled. “Looks like I finally broke him.”
An explosion erupted nearby. The Master looked on concerned.
“Sorry to leave things unfinished but I must dash. It’s been a fun little experience I must say. Quite life-changing in many ways. Hope we meet again soon, Brigadier, I do enjoy our little pep-talks. And as for you, Doctor, I look forward to our next encounter. Try facing me in battle whilst staring into the eyes of the man that was devoted to you, that would’ve gladly given his life for you and you were unable to save in their most desperate hour.”
The Master rushed off down one of the corridors. The Brigadier prepared to pursue when suddenly the familiar whooshing sound echoed. The corridor disappeared, turning into a wall.
“The corridor was his TARDIS?” the Brigadier questioned.
The base began to crumble. The Brigadier turned and dragged the Doctor to his feet and pulled him away from the destructive environment. They rushed as quickly as possible back to their own TARDIS.
They entered and moved towards the console. The Doctor fell into his chair. He didn’t say a word whilst the Brigadier and Autumn panicked to get the controls working. The ship shook as the base outside entered the final stages of collapsing.
“How does this thing work?” the Brigadier demanded.
Autumn refreshed her mind. All those manuals she’d read on her ship came back to her, and she dematerialised the TARDIS, seconds before the base exploded, and piloted it more smoothly than the Doctor ever had.
***
The TARDIS materialised back at UNIT HQ.
Inside the Brigadier congratulated Autumn for her affords. Autumn smiled at the acknowledgement. The moment of happiness was broken when they saw the Doctor skulking in his chair, saddened by the day’s events. Autumn approached him.
“Doctor,” she asked. There was no response. Autumn sat by him, holding onto his hand for comfort. The Brigadier watched from the console. He had never seen the Doctor look so defeated. It almost made the Brigadier sad inside seeing his old friend in this state.
“It wasn’t your fault, Doctor.”
“Wasn’t it…” the Doctor slowly replied. “I have known that man since childhood. I knew the kind of man he was then and what he became because of me. I should’ve done something about it centuries ago but, like always, I allowed my compassion to get the better of me and now an innocent man, a hero, died today because I didn’t stop the Master. This happens to me all the time. It may one day happen to you too. It wouldn’t be the first time one of my companions died because of my failure to stop my enemy. Everywhere I go, death and destruction follows me because I don’t have the strength, the stomach to do what is necessary. My enemies will always have the advantage and I will inevitably always lose.”
“That’s a lie,” the Brigadier stepped in, making his way over to the Doctor.
The Doctor looked up at his old friend.
“You have the advantage because you have what they don’t. A soul. In many ways I used to be like my enemy; shoot first, ask question later. Following orders that I either didn’t understand or simply didn’t question. And then you came into my life and showed me a difference, that there is always another way. You showed me how to use my heart and not just rely on instinct. Because of this you will always be better than the Master, the Daleks, the Cybermen, the Autons, the Axons, the Zygons and whoever else comes up to face you. And you will always win.”
The Doctor shed a slight tear before thanking the Brigadier for his kind words. The Brigadier simply smiled.
***
The Brigadier later exited the TARDIS. The Doctor followed, standing by the door to say farewell to his old friend. The Brigadier turned.
“I won’t forget Alan.”
“Me neither.”
“He was brave. Right until the end. It’s heroes like him that inspire others to do great things. So don’t worry, Doctor, his death will not be without meaning. Everyone at UNIT will know his story.”
“What will you do now?”
“You know me, Doctor. Try and stay out of trouble like yourself.”
The Doctor laughed, “And we know how that turns out.”
The Brigadier saluted the Doctor.
“Goodbye, Doctor.”
“Farewell old friend.”
The Doctor gave a single wave before returning to his box. The Brigadier lowered his hand and sighed, “One of these days I’ll get you to salute me.”
“Daddy!!”
The Brigadier turned to be greeted by a little girl. She hugged him. He smiled, returning the favour.
“What are you doing here, Kate? You’re supposed to be with your mother.”
“Mummy got scared when your boss said you disappeared so she decided to come here to look for you.”
The Brigadier laughed, “Your mother. Always the worrier.”
Suddenly the TARDIS dematerialised. Kate looked on with wonder on her face. The Brigadier watched as well with a smile on his face.
“Is that the Doctor, daddy?” Kate asked with excitement.
“Yes it was,” the Brigadier replied. “Perhaps one day you’ll get to meet him too”
Kate smiled at the possibility.
***
The Doctor stood by the console, working his mystical time/space machine. He started humming the song from earlier. Autumn noticed, watching his every movement almost as if she were studying him.
“I don’t understand you, Doctor. One minute you’re all doom and gloom and the next minute you’re humming a song with a smile on your face as if nothing happened. Did the Brigadier mean so much to you?”
“You wanted to know who I am and today you saw the best of me. The Brigadier is one of my oldest and dearest friends. He reminded me why I travel with companions. They bring out the best in me. When I started my journey all those years ago with my granddaughter Susan---”
“You have children and grandchildren?” Autumn interrupted.
The Doctor paused for a second before continuing.
“---I was an old man, without patience and without a full concept of humanity. And then they arrived. My first companions. Two school teachers; Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton. They taught me how to be better again.”
“Again? What exactly happened to you back on Gallifrey?”
The Doctor remained silent.
“It had something to do with the Master, didn’t it? The man you mentioned before, who taught you the wonders of the universe. That was the Master wasn’t it? Whatever happened between you two left a hole in you and your companions made up for that. You gained a friend again.”
The Doctor smiled.
“And that’s why I let you tag along, Miss Rivers. Always the perceptive one. So then, off we go on another wild adventure. Wherever and whenever you want, so what shall it be?”
“I’m not fussed.”
The Doctor smiled in amusement before flicking switches, turning dials and rushing around his mad spacecraft to operate the controls. Upon pulling the handbrake the Doctor started typing on the console. Autumn observed.
“What’s that rhythm?”
“I don’t know,” the Doctor replied. “The Master never really explained why he used it other than saying the rhythm was always with him.”
The Doctor continued typing on the console. A rhythm of four.
***
“So what did you learn?”
Autumn looked on at Lord Dalta, considering her answer carefully.
“I learnt that he has other enemies,” she stated. “Angrier, older enemies than myself.”
“But not that he regrets them?” Dalta raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Not that he has made up for his mistakes with the lives they take?”
“Made up for them?” Autumn chuckled. “Every life the Master takes is in the Doctor’s name, and the same goes for all the rest of his enemies. And that’s the way it works with us – everyone who gets hurt because of this gets hurt by the Doctor. He takes full responsibility.”
“But no one will get hurt, will they?” Dalta leaned in. “You promised me that.”
“Then you’d better ensure that I get exactly what I want, or the plan will have to take some… unexpected turns.” Autumn sat back in her chair and left that one hanging.
“I’m sure I can provide it.” Dalta considered. “What do you need? What are you keeping from me, Miss Rivers?” He pushed as far forwards as he could, in the hope of drawing her in. “In one word, what can I give you to help you destroy the Doctor?”
Autumn sat forward and whispered in Dalta’s ear: as proposed, one word. A word which, upon utterance, sent Dalta’s mind racing with all its many possibilities.
“Fame.”
“Ah, look at that.”
“An army base?”
“Not just any army base,” the Doctor replied. “This is UNIT HQ. That stands for United Nation Intelligence Taskforce. Their sort of top-secret special forces that investigates aliens. Only I supposed they’re not top-secret because everyone has heard about them.”
“That still doesn’t explain what we’re doing here.”
“To visit my life. I used to work for them. I still do in fact. Never actually resigned. You know me, better things to do.”
“So you ran away?” Autumn said.
“Yes. Quite so. Still it’s nice to return to my glory days, if you can call them that. I seem to recall despising being trapped in one primitive time-zone…”
An explosion erupted nearby. The Doctor and Autumn turned. They looked on concerned.
“Does trouble follow you wherever you land?”
“Apparently so.”
The Doctor rushed off. Autumn became confused.
“Where are you going?”
“To see if I can help,” the Doctor called back as he continued to run towards danger.
Autumn simply stood there and looked on.
“Every time.”
***
The Doctor entered the battlefield. UNIT soldiers rushed around everywhere whilst being attacked by an unknown force. Lasers fired. The Doctor ducked for cover as he tried getting closer to the action. He then saw a group of soldiers crouched, listening to the commands of Brigadier Smith. The Doctor moved over and intervened.
“Hey! What’re you doing here? This is a restricted area. Civilians shouldn’t be---”
“I’m not a civilian. I’m the Doctor. And if you want to survive this attack you had better listen.”
“How can you prove this? You could be an imposter.”
“UNIT associates!” the Doctor shouted. “Liz, Jo, Sarah, Harry, Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Captain Yates and Sergeant Benton. I travel in a space-time capsule known as the TARDIS. I come from Gallifrey, in the constellation of Kasterborous. I have saved your world from countless alien incursions, including those committed by the Master, UNIT’s number-one enemy.”
“Anyone could have researched that information. It doesn’t prove anything.”
The Doctor stood up, “Right then. I’ll prove my name the old fashioned way.”
The Doctor stepped out onto the battlefield. Fire, explosions, and death spread across the environment. The Doctor didn’t show any fear. He simply walked before the enemy. Every single UNIT officer stopped and watched, astonished by the man’s presence and courage.
The enemy also stopped. They looked like vicious ape-like creatures, bulky and full of strength. They stared back at the Doctor without fear in their large numbers. One of them spoke in a none-intelligent voice, “You will die, puny man.”
“Not today I’m afraid. This puny man happens to be…The Doctor.”
“Kill him!!”
The creatures prepared to fire.
The Doctor quickly took out his sonic screwdriver and activated it. The device released a deafening sonic wave, rendering the creatures helpless. They dropped their weapons due to the pain. The Doctor stopped. The creatures stared back. With a face of authority the Doctor simply said, “Now run.”
The creatures retreated. UNIT cheered at their victory. Brigadier Smith approached the Doctor, almost feeling embarrassed by his earlier remarks.
“So you really are him then?”
“Indeed I am, though I hadn’t counted on my credentials being rejected. Perhaps next time I should just do a demonstration first instead.”
“Doctor?” a voice asked from behind.
The Doctor turned. It was the Brigadier. The old soldiers face said it all. He was speechless, a tear almost coming to his eye from seeing his old friend standing before him once more.
“Is it really you after all these years?”
“Brigadier. So good to see you again.”
“I was beginning to think that our paths would never cross again.”
“Never say never, old friend. Anything is possible in my books. I thought you had retired. The last time we met you’d gone home to Doris. How is she by the way?”
“She’s fine,” the Brigadier replied. “We’re still happy. Unfortunately UNIT can’t stop pestering me. I keep getting called out for meetings in Peru as a sort of overseer.”
“I suppose they can’t survive without you.”
“If I may interrupt the chit-chat,” Brigadier Smith intervened. “Perhaps we could get back to business. What were those creatures?”
“Ogrons,” the Doctor answered, turning around to face Brigadier Smith. “They’re mercenaries for hire. Someone payed them to attack you, but why?”
“Doctor, I don’t suppose it’s the Daleks again?” the Brigadier asked.
“No. I shouldn’t think so. If the Daleks wanted to exterminate you they wouldn’t need the assistance of those brutes. No. This was someone else. But who? And why attack UNIT HQ? This doesn’t make sense.”
“Doctor!”
Autumn rushed over. Brigadier Smith looked unimpressed.
“Is she with you, Doctor?”
“Doctor, what’s going on,” Autumn asked.
“Of course!” the Doctor exclaimed. “This wasn’t an attack, it was a diversion.”
The Doctor turned back toward Brigadier Smith, “You. Mr...?”
“Smith. Brigadier Smith.”
“Smith. Almost like my pseudonym. I don’t suppose your first name is John by any chance?”
“If you’ve quite finished, Doctor, there is a matter at hand that has to be dealt with.”
“Well you’re no fun. Anyway, this diversion. They must have wanted to distract you for a reason. So what might that be? Any top secret projects I should know about, something that might have attracted the attention of a hostile alien mercenary force?”
“Only the alien technology we’ve recovered over the years. We store it inside the Black Archive.”
“And what’s the Black Archive?”
“It would be easier if we showed you,” the Brigadier replied.
***
The Doctor was shown around the Black Archive. It was a huge warehouse, spliced with simplistic time-dimension technology so that it was slightly bigger on the inside. There were several rows of racks, all stacked high full of lethal alien technology that could be used to crack Earth open like an egg. The Doctor looked on unamused.
“So why wasn’t I informed about this?” the Doctor asked. “I am a senior member of UNIT after all.”
“You weren’t informed about this because you might have disapproved,” Brigadier Smith replied. “And also you have been placed on the retirement pile due to your lack of duty in the last 15 years.”
“Indeed I would have,” the Doctor spoke under his breath.
Suddenly Private Alan called them over, believing to have located the missing item. The Doctor followed the others to the location. Autumn stared silently, pondering on the Doctor’s old life. It didn’t seem to click. She simply couldn’t imagine the Doctor being a soldier, let alone being a member of the Special Forces. But then, he had conformed, of course. He’d sat back and ticked the same box as everyone else in the room, completing the unanimous decision to destroy her home. There really was no predicting his actions.
They came to the empty space where the item once stood.
“As you can see, sirs,” Private Alan announced, “nothing dangerous was taken.”
“What was it?” the Brigadier asked.
“Just some alien circuits,” Private Alan replied. “Strange really. Why come all this way just to steal something of insignificance?”
The Doctor sighed.
Everyone turned to his attention.
“There is nothing more dangerous than human intelligence on a bad day. And this is certainly one of them. Handling alien technology is a stupid thing to do and now you have attracted mercenaries to your front door. Worse than that is what they have taken.”
“And as we’ve discovered,” Brigadier Smith added, looking on in anger trying to take charge back into his favour. “The technology stolen wasn’t anything dangerous---”
“Dangerous? Oh my poor deluded human idiot, you don’t seem to realise the gravity of the situation.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Of course you don’t. You’re an idiot. Worse, a military idiot. Everything in this Vault is dangerous. Maybe not on its own but with the right combination of parts you can easily build a weapon of destruction. Clearly the Ogrons were sent here for a specific item, i.e. those circuits.”
“So,” the Brigadier interrupted. “We have ourselves a situation then.”
“I’m afraid we do, Brigadier. Nice to know someone here is keeping up. No wonder they keep bringing you back.”
The Doctor rushed off.
Brigadier Smith shouted after him, demanding to know where he was heading.
“I have to follow them,” the Doctor shouted back.
Brigadier Smith took out his pistol, “I demand you come back, Doctor, and explain yourself immediately!”
The Brigadier punched him, knocking him to the ground.
“You’ll be resigned for this, Alistair!” Brigadier Smith snarled, bleeding on the ground.
“I’m already resigned. Come along.”
The Brigadier and Autumn ran after the Doctor. Private Alan simply looked on in astonishment.
***
The Doctor arrived at the TARDIS and began to enter. The Brigadier and Autumn caught up.
“Wait, Doctor,” the Brigadier announced.
“I’m sorry, Brigadier, but I simply haven’t got time for goodbyes nor explanations for idiots like Smith.”
“Goodbyes and explanations? I’m going with you.”
The Doctor turned in confusion.
“I’m sorry?”
“You heard me, Doctor, I’m coming with you. All the times I missed out going with you to the stars and now I can come with you and help. I’m a part of this now whether you like it or not.”
“Oh, very well,” the Doctor hesitated. “But no using guns unnecessarily. I have a thing about guns.”
“I remember.”
“Well then, off we---”
“Wait!” a voice echoed.
Private Alan rushed over. The Doctor looked on with more confusion.
“Now what?”
“I’m coming too,” Private Alan stated, out of breath due to the running.
“I’m sorry?”
“He’s a big fan of our work,” the Brigadier answered.
“Please,” Private Alan continued. “I might not get another chance.”
The Doctor paused for a moment.
“Fine. But don’t get in the way.”
The Doctor allowed his new passengers to board. Autumn turned to him with even more confusion. The Doctor noticed.
“You’ve been awfully quiet today.”
“It’s just---” Autumn replied, hesitantly. “I never imagined you being a soldier.”
“I’m not. I never was, and never will be. The day I hang up my title as ‘Doctor’ is the day the universe loses all other hope.”
Autumn wondered what the Doctor thought of her right now. The typical companion, looking on in awe through her own innocence? She hoped he knew her better than that. Or maybe not – it was better if he had no idea what she was thinking, no idea that she was thinking; no idea that her mind was whirring even faster than his, calculating the next stage in her plan every second. She entered the TARDIS. The Doctor looked upon UNIT HQ one last time before entering himself. Within moments the TARDIS dematerialised.
***
The TARDIS materialised. The Doctor exited. He examined the surroundings. The corridors looked old, old like ruins. It appeared almost medieval with hints of technology. The Doctor gave a signal to his companions. One by one they exited. The Brigadier looked on at his new surroundings.
“Where are we, Doctor?”
“Asteroid 7, or more commonly known as ‘the Isolation Zone’. It is, or was, the home of the Headless Monks. One of the many religious orders within the Church of the Papal Mainframe. This asteroid was literally a place they could set up a monastery and contemplate the universe in eternal silence.”
The Doctor and the Brigadier stared out of a window. Outside was the empty asteroid followed by the endless star-systems above.
“You were right, Doctor,” the Brigadier added. “The universe is truly a wondrous place.”
“Wow,” Private Alan exclaimed.
The Doctor and the Brigadier turned to face him. Private Alan wondered around the corridor in excitement, like a kid in a sweetshop. The Doctor walked over. He put his hand on his shoulder.
“What do you think?”
“I can’t explain it,” Private Alan replied. “It’s just so---”
“I know. I get that feeling all the time. You’re experiencing the beauty of the universe. All of its endless possibilities. All of the was, the now and the what could be. The universe is always expanding. Everyday something new comes along to surprise me.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
The Doctor smiled, “You’re most welcome.”
The Doctor returned his attention to the Ogrons.
“So then, the Ogrons. This is there base and whatever they are planning, or more accurately, what their employer is planning, we must stop them. Any questions?
The Brigadier smiled, indicating his eagerness to get started.
The Doctor led his companions through the monastery. It was dark and grim. Cobwebs formulated across the infrastructure. The Doctor illuminated the way with an old fashioned lit torch.
“I never mentioned,” the Brigadier spoke. “About the change?”
“Well, it’s probably because you’re used to it by now,” the Doctor replied.
“I suppose. I’ve never asked, does it hurt changing your body?”
“Hard to describe. Some might call it rebirth or renewal. Others would call it death. Each time a part of me disappears whilst another part of me simply takes on the mantle of my legacy. It’s still me, only it isn’t me. My personality, and who I am, changes and reassembles in a different coding. After all this time you’d think one would get used to it. It still remains a mystery to me.”
The Brigadier simply listened with concern for his old friend. Almost like hearing a new perspective on life. Suddenly the Doctor stopped and hushed his companions. Ahead of them there was a passing shadow.
“Ogron?” the Brigadier whispered.
The Doctor nodded. With his sonic screwdriver he dimmed the flame on his torch. Private Alan was wowed. Awesome. The Doctor had his companions moved slowly towards the ape-like creature.
“So, what’s the plan?” Autumn asked.
The Doctor replied, “We follow it until it leads us to their base of operation.”
“And then?”
“I haven’t the foggiest idea.”
The Doctor and his companions continued to follow the Ogron. The creature was oblivious to their presence. It continued to walk down the corridor, its dematerialisation gun in its holster. The Doctor was hesitant. He didn’t wish to grant the Ogron the chance to fire its deadly weapon. They finally came to an opening. A cross-road of corridors. It was a circular room with four corridors branching off it. The Doctor tried to get in closer. Unfortunately he wasn’t aware of the leaking ceiling above. Splash. A puddle was ruptured. The Doctor froze. The Ogron turned.
“Get down!” the Doctor shouted.
The Doctor, the Brigadier and Autumn scattered as the Ogron pulled out its weapon and prepared to fire. Private Alan, however, held his ground. He pulled out his own weapon with fast reflexes.
“No!”
The Ogron fell dead to the ground. The Doctor looked on in horror. Private Alan on the other hand felt victorious. The Doctor turned in anger, snatching the gun from Private Alan before throwing it the floor.
“I don’t ever use guns unless I have no other choice.”
“But I---”
“Never!! It’s the one thing that distinguishes me from my enemies. If I start acting like them then I might as well give up my title because I would no longer be a healer.”
The Doctor turned to storm off. He was then met with a gun to his face.
“Not so fast,” the Ogron announced.
The Doctor and his companions had been surrounded. The Doctor looked on annoyed, knowing too well he had no other choice but to surrender. He put his hands up. His companions did the same.
***
The Doctor and his companions were taken into the master chamber. It was originally intended for the head Monk, the overseer. The chamber was allocated at the top of the monastery for that very reason so that the overseer could overlook their surroundings and be the closest to God. This granted them a sense of power beyond the other Headless Monks.
The Ogrons came to a halt. The Doctor was thrown forward to the ground. His companions tried to wrestle free to help him but were unable to resist the strength of the Ogrons. The lead Ogron grabbed the Doctor, pulling him to his knees, before tightly gripping him. The Doctor groaned under his breath.
“Don’t hurt him,” a weak voice spoke.
The Doctor looked up. There was an old stone chair in front of him. It was facing away from him but it was clear someone was sat on the other side.
“After all,” the voice continued. “He is our guest here and we should show him at least some form of hospitality.”
The Ogron released the Doctor. It stepped back. It was clear whoever sat in the chair was the leader of the operation and the Ogrons feared them. The Doctor looked on in concern.
“Come closer, Doctor. Let me…See you again. It has been so long since our last encounter.”
The Doctor moved forward and stopped before the chair.
“Who are you?”
“Shame on you. When we were kids, you always said you could sense my presence. Has your hatred of me clouded that old friendship?”
“It can’t be.”
The Doctor hesitantly turned the stone chair around. The Doctor looked on in shock. Sat in the chair was a man, covered in an old hooded cloak. It was raggedy, ancient looking. As for the man, he was deformed. Time had decayed his body. He looked like the living dead. His hands and face showed more signs of bone than flesh, with the skin barely hanging on as it withered away. Despite all this the Doctor could deduce who it was. He always knew through a telepathic connection from childhood. It was the Master.
“How?” the Doctor asked with fear.
“How what, Doctor?” the Master replied. “How am I still alive after you murdered me?”
“That’s not what happened.”
“Isn’t it? You threw me into the Eye of Harmony, let me be swallowed up by the raw energies of time itself.”
“I tried to save you.”
“Ha! Your justification for everything. Your own personal medicine to help you sleep at night. Never mind all the lives you’ve manipulated, all the people you’ve put in harm’s way, all the civilisations you play God with, all those supposed evil creatures you have destroyed. No. Simply because you tried means that you are the good man. When will you stop lying to yourself?”
“How did you survive?” the Doctor snapped.
There was a slight pause before the Master replied.
“Though the body transfer in your TARDIS wasn’t complete I still managed to gather up enough energy to renew myself. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances that followed I was forced to use the energy to teleport myself to safety. But time had already done its damage. I have been scarred by it.”
The Master tore open the rags around his chest. The Doctor observed. The Master had a hole through his chest surrounded by cracks that were slowly eating away the rest of his body.
“Nothingness. Endless eternity flows through my veins.”
The Doctor tried to be sympathetic. The Master didn’t believe him, knowing too well that the Doctor would never forgive him for his actions. The Doctor then tried to understand his great nemesis.
“So, I’m guessing this is another stolen body, like with Tremas and Bruce the Ambulance driver?”
“Why, of course. I no longer have the ability to regenerate, as well you know by now. Stealing the life-force of the living was the only means I had to prolong death. But now, even that option is useless. Time eats away at my soul every day. Each time I steal someone’s body they decay faster than the last. This is my one hundredth body. I’m running out of time, Doctor. I feel death growing closer and closer.”
“And what do you want me to do about? Beg the High Council to reconsider their offer of granting you a new regeneration cycle? Or go to Death herself and tell her the Master isn’t ready for the next life?”
The Master let out one of his infamous chuckles but quickly started choking, spitting out dry blood in the process. He leaned back. The Doctor observed his old friend. This time the Doctor really did feel sorry for him. He knew that he was dying and there wasn’t anything he could do to stop it. At the same time the Doctor thought about the Master’s wrongs and felt he deserved such a treatment. He felt that he had avoided death long enough and had to atone for his long list of sins. But at the same time the Doctor wasn’t a saint and he knew that. How did he have the right to judge the Master when in many ways he had created him?
The Doctor leaned in close, hoping to have one last moment with his old friend.
“Master. Is there anything I can do?”
“Well,” the Master replied as he leant forward. “There is one thing you can do.”
The Doctor felt a connection. For the first time in centuries he felt like he had his old friend back and in his dying moments he might repent. Also the Doctor hoped that he could finally tell him that he was sorry.
“Die.”
The Doctor’s face turned to shock. The Master quickly took out a knife from inside his cloak and stabbed the Doctor in the chest. The Doctor fell back, clutching his chest as he choked and bled out. The Master could do nothing but gloat at the sight of his arch-nemesis squirming for his life. His friends could do nothing but watch. As the pain took hold and sound turned to echo the Doctor’s world turned dark.
***
The Doctor’s vision blurred in and out of consciousness. All he could hear was the echoed voices of his companions. Autumn. The Brigadier. Private Alan. They all stood over him, desperate to awaken their sleepy Time Lord.
The Doctor finally came to. Slowly he learnt of the terrible truth. He jolted. He was in an upright surgery table. His blood tied to drips and his hearts beating on a monitor. He also noticed his stab wound had been crudely stitched up.
His companions were still restrained.
The Master wondered around, all supreme and mighty.
“You are getting too predictable, Doctor. It has become so easy to lure you into a trap.”
The Doctor tried to break free, his anger boiling to the surface. He couldn’t escape.
“Don’t bother, Doctor, you are perfectly contained. The trap has been sprung, your defeat has already come.”
“I’ve heard that before,” the Doctor replied. His face was becoming desperate. The Doctor tried scanning his environment for a means of escape but to no avail. He was slowly realising that the Master may have actually won. Now he began to fear what his old friend had in mind for him.
“So then. What do you want with me? You clearly brought me here for a purpose, so what is it? Tell what you want!”
The Master leaned in. His decaying face smiled, revealing the worn-down teeth beneath the cracked lips.
“Rebirth.”
“Rebirth? I don’t understand.”
“I think you do, Doctor, you just don’t want to come to the dreaded conclusion that I have brought you here to die so that I can live.”
“How do you plan to steal my body?”
The Master clapped sarcastically.
“There you go, Doctor. That’s the fire I wanted to see right before your demise. You were always clever but not enough to rid yourself of that pathetic weakness. What was it called again?”
“Compassion,” the Doctor replied without shame.
“That’s the one. That feeble emotion that has cost you time and time again. Your attachment to your friends and your commitment to be ‘the good man’ will always bring you here. If it wasn’t me, then someone else. Eventually, Doctor, you would have always died by your enemies’ hand because they have the ability to do what you won’t.”
“Am I supposed to feel threatened? Ashamed of my life and my decisions? Because I would gladly do it all again. I am proud of my achievements because that is what they are. I didn’t stand by and let the universe rot away, I became a part of its wonders. Whilst you on the other hand sought out to create chaos. Some mighty contribution you made.”
The Master smiled before backhanding the Doctor around the face. The Doctor breathed in deep as he recovered from the blow.
“Denial is another of your weaknesses. You just can’t bear to admit that deep down, you’re just like me.”
“That’s because it isn’t true!”
“It doesn’t matter now. I have gotten past the point of trying to bring you down to my level and to make you admit the truth that we have both known since we were children. But perhaps you can think on this conversation during your final hour of life, and in your final breath make peace with yourself.”
The Doctor stared down his great nemesis with a glare of pure hatred. The Master noticed.
“I always love it when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?” the Doctor replied angrily.
“Like a killer.”
The Doctor turned silent for a moment before replying.
“So how do you intend to take over my body this time, oh great Master?”
“So glad you’ve finally asked. It’s so ingenious I’m ashamed at myself for not thinking of it before. I’m going to become you.”
The Doctor looked at him in shock. He finally realised what the stolen equipment was for, what it could become a part of. The Doctor now knew what will become of him.
“You can’t.”
“But I can. And I will.”
“The process is unstable, even for a Time Lord. You could end up killing us both.”
“Taking you with me, wouldn’t that be glorious. I suppose you wouldn’t understand my desperation because you haven’t met death directly in the face and had to escape its hand. I have one last chance to survive and what better way than to take the body of the man I hate the most in this universe.”
“Why don’t I help you?” the Doctor asked desperately. “Why don’t we come up with a solution together?”
“Trying to bargain for your life, Doctor? Well it won’t work. If you cared enough about me then you would’ve helped me centuries ago instead of passing off my mental imbalance to insanity. I am troubled. Afraid of the rhythm in my head.”
“There is no rhythm. It’s only you.”
“Shut up!”
The Master prepared to stab the Doctor again, this time a fatal blow to the heart. He stopped at the last second. The Doctor didn’t flinch but on the inside trembled at the situation. His grip tightened. The Master pulled back, whipping away the spit from his mouth. He gazed at the Doctor and scoffed.
“A quick death would be too easy for you, Doctor. I’d prefer you to suffer just as I have.”
The Master turned to his Ogron minions.
“Prepare the transfer.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Ogrons moved into action. They activated the machine through clicking dials and pulling levers. Electricity built around the room. The Doctor looked on concerned whilst the Master stayed silent, observing his masterpiece unfold. The Doctor’s companions could do nothing but watch.
“And what makes you think I will just willingly give over my body, Master?” the Doctor asked over the noise of the energy build-up.
“Because I have you safely contained. And secondly I have your friends. Should you even attempt to escape I will have them killed, slowly and painfully.”
“You’re bluffing. That’s cold even for you.”
Without hesitation the Master took one of the Ogron’s guns and shot the Brigadier’s leg.
“Do not underestimate what I will do in order to survive, Doctor! I’ve come a long way since our childhood days and today of all days is not a wise day to push your luck with me!”
The Doctor strained in his harness to try and do something. The Brigadier fell down. Autumn and Private Alan attended to him.
“You monster,” Autumn replied.
“Doctor, what do we do?” Private Alan asked in desperation, hoping for the Time Lord to have a plan up his sleeve. The Doctor looked on, everything becoming a blur. Private Alan continued asking but didn’t get an answer.
“You win.”
The room went silent. Everyone’s attention turned to the Doctor. The Master was gobsmacked.
“Say that again.”
“I give up, Master. It’s over. You’ve won.”
The Master almost shed a tear.
“I have waited a long time for you to say that.”
The Master then proceeded to latch himself into his own stand-up surgery table. His blood and heartbeat were attached to the drips and machinery. The Master looked over at the Doctor. He saw a broken man without hope. The Master let out a light chuckle followed by an insane laughter.
“This is perfect!!! I’ve won!!! I’ve beaten the Doctor!!! After all these years I’ve finally beaten him in the cruellest game!!!”
The Doctor said nothing.
Suddenly the Master glowed white. He was fixed to his table. The Doctor did the same. He strained in pain. This is the end.
“Rebirth!!!” the Master shouted.
The lights then converged and the two Time Lord souls moved across the room within the light energy. They crossed over and went towards each other’s bodies. A final gust of energy erupted before the room went back to normal. The Master didn’t move. He stood there, leaning his head sideways as if dead. The Doctor then began to twitch his fingers. The Doctor’s companions and the Ogrons watched in confusion.
“Re…release…me,” strained the Doctor.
The Ogrons looked on in further confusion.
“But---”
“D-do it,” the Doctor replied.
The Ogron went over slowly and released the Doctor. He fell to the ground. It took him a few moments to pull himself to his feet. The Doctor then started to laugh.
“What’s so funny, Doctor,” Autumn asked with concern.
“Rebirth.”
“Something isn’t right,” Autumn stated.
“What do you mean?” Private Alan asked.
“That’s not the Doctor.”
The Doctor turned to face them.
“You’re quite observant, Miss Rivers. I’m not the Doctor.”
“Then who are you?” Private Alan demanded.
“Haven’t you been paying attention? Rebirth. I have claimed my rebirth. For I am the Master anew.”
The Master, with the Doctor’s words, laughs sinisterly.
***
Autumn, the Brigadier and Private Alan had now been confined to a cell with Ogrons on guard outside. Private Alan attended to the Brigadier’s wounds as best as he could. The Brigadier grunted. A layer of his skin had been completely removed by the dematerialisation gun. Autumn paced up and down.
“You know,” said Private Alan. “Despite the fact that things look grim I am still happy that I got to meet the Doctor. He’s certainly something. Just a shame I let him down.”
“You didn’t let him down,” the Brigadier added. “I’ve made that man angry plenty of times before you for similar reasons. Heck, he once stopped talking to me for weeks after I blew up a Silurian base.”
They both laughed.
Autumn looked over angrily.
“How can you both be laughing at a time like this? The Doctor’s body has been taken over by a mad man and we’re stuck in here unable to help!”
The Brigadier pulled himself to his feet, grunting in the process.
“Young lady, I have known the Doctor twice as long as you and I know that he never gives up. And do you know why?”
Autumn gently shook her head.
“Because he has us. He has always had us. He once told me his companions define him. So let’s prove that today. Let us save the Doctor.”
Autumn smiled.
“Where do we begin?” Private Alan gleefully added.
***
The Ogrons continued to stand outside the cell. Suddenly Autumn started to cry out for help. The Ogron noticed and looked on through the hatch in the door. Autumn was cradling the Brigadier who appeared to have stopped breathing. The Ogron decided to enter. As soon as it entered Private Alan jumped out from behind the door and knocked the creature unconscious.
“Well done, lad,” the Brigadier whispered.
“One down, one to go,” Private Alan replied.
Private whistled. The other Ogron responded. Like with the first one it fell into the trap and was knocked unconscious. Autumn pulled the Brigadier to his feet. Private Alan grabbed the Ogron’s weapons.
“Insurance. Hopefully we won’t have to use them.”
“What’s got into you?” Autumn asked.
Private Alan smiled.
“I’m doing it the Doctor’s way. Now come on.”
They exited their cell. Private Alan became the designated protector whilst Autumn helped the Brigadier along, now having a limp due to his injured leg.
“So, where are we heading?” Private Alan asked.
“We need to find a way to stop the Master and then get the Doctor’s body back,” the Brigadier replied.
“And how do we do that?” Private Alan answered back.
“Why don’t we ask him?” Autumn added.
The Brigadier and Private Alan looked ahead. There was a confused Ogron standing before them.
“Prisoners out of cell? Prisoners should not be out of cell. I tell Master.”
Private Alan raised his weapon.
“Not so fast, Ogron. Now…You’re going to tell us how to save the Doctor.”
***
The Doctor was still restrained. The Master, in the Doctor’s body, paraded up and down. He smiled with both menace and happiness. The Ogrons simply watched him.
“This is… perfect. To think I’ve succeeded where Guardians, Time Lords and Daleks have all failed. I’ve finally beaten you. And now I have your body, your mind and, your remaining regenerations. Disappointing I haven’t got a full cycle to play with but I’m sure with this face I can easily persuade the High Council to grant me a new one. After all, you have saved Gallifrey from countless invasions, one of them my own, tricked President Borusa into playing Rassilon’s final game, escaped two trials, defeated the great Morbius twice, relit the Sacred Flames, destroyed Skaro with the Hand of Omega and even gained and lost the position of Lord President in one day. Quite the track record. And now, I can undo it all.”
The Master laughed sinisterly.
“Why?” the Doctor replied in a weak voice. “Why only destroy? Why can’t you see the beauty of the universe instead of just the darkness?”
“Because the darkness consumed me, a long, long time ago. I saw the universe for what it was. It’s about time you do too. Or wait. You might not be able to since the new body you wear has mere hours of breath left.”
“You’ve made your point. Now stop. I can help you before it’s too late.”
The Master leaned in.
“It’s already too late. Now sit by and watch as your life-force drains, knowing that I will walk away with your body to do unspeakable things. I can walk into the heart of the Citadel, passed the Chancellor’s guards, and stab the Lord President in their hearts, claiming presidency for myself. I could even turn all of your victories into defeats. Imagine the chaos that would create? Or…” the Master paused. “Even better. I could revisit all your companions, one by one, and kill them.”
The Doctor’s eyes opened wide. His fists clenched.
“Don’t you dare!!”
“And the best part is they wouldn’t see it coming. They’d think their old Doctor has come back to them and then…They witness in their final moments their beloved Doctor choking them, stamping out their last breathe. And all I will see in their eyes before they black out forever is ‘why?’ Why, Doctor? Why are you doing this? It will be, spectacular.”
The Master laughed and laughed and laughed.
“This is it, Doctor. My final victory!”
The Doctor managed to free himself from his restraints and in a burst of anger lunged at the Master. The Master turned, his attention momentarily slipped, and looked on in shock. He quickly dodged the decrepit Doctor. The Doctor fell violently to the ground. The Master laughed before leaning down next to the Doctor. His enemy had weakened. He clutched his chest for air, coughing in the process. The Master almost pitied him, the same face the Doctor gave to him.
“You know, if it’s any consolation, Doctor. I still admire you. But that won’t save you. I’m afraid you’ve hurt me too much.”
“I-I’m sorry…I-I couldn’t…S-save you…”
“I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about that day, back on Gallifrey. All those years ago when you let me down in the biggest way possible. I will never forgive you for that. You once said I was your best friend and that you would always be there for me. Some lie that was. After all the things I had done for you. All the new ideas I gave to you. I made you who you were and then you spat poison back in my face. Call this my revenge exacted. Now, look me in the eye and tell me I was right. Tell me what I want to know! Tell me you’re just like me!!”
The Doctor looked up.
“I’m---”
The sound of a gun clicked. The Master turned his head. The Brigadier, Autumn and Private Alan were standing before him. A scared Ogron stood beside them. The Master stood up, unafraid by the presence of the Doctor’s friends.
“I’m sorry, Master. They---”
The Master killed the grovelling Ogron. The rest of the Ogrons ran for the nearest exit in terror. The Master’s eye became intense. His resolve burning through them. He was renewed, stronger than ever and more determined to win than ever before.
“So?” the Master stated. “You’ve come to save the day have you? How, amusing. But you should’ve saved yourself the trouble. It’s already too late.”
“It’s never too late,” Private Alan declared.
“You’ve gone too far this time, Master. Surrender… or else.” the Brigadier added.
“Or else?” the Master replied.
“Give us back the Doctor or we will make sure that you never leave here alive!!” Autumn shouted out.
The Master let out one of his infamous laughs.
“Is that supposed to sound threatening? Are you all really trying to play grown-ups now that your stabilisers have been taken away? This is a pathetic sight.”
“Stop…” the Doctor asked, barely clinging onto life in the Master’s old, decaying body.
The Master looked back to the Doctor then back at his companions. He smiled with sinister intent. The Brigadier noticed and tried to warn the others.
“Look out!!”
The Master fired his weapon. Private Alan pushed Autumn out of the way with seconds to spare.
“I forgot, Brigadier. You know me too well.”
The Master threw away his weapon. He then approached Autumn and grabbed her by the throat. He pulled her off her feet and began to choke her. Private Alan got up and pointed his own weapon directly to the Master’s head.
“Let her go or I’ll---”
“You’ll what? You won’t shoot me. You’re clearly trying to impress the Doctor so you know he won’t appreciate unnecessary violence. Also, if you shoot me you’ll destroy the Doctor’s body. But then again you’re a soldier and soldiers are only good for one thing.”
Private Alan stared into the Master’s eyes, remembering that he was talking through the Doctor’s body. He finally lowered his weapon and threw it to the ground.
“Not this soldier.”
“A pity. Now you’re no better than the Doctor.”
With his spare hand the Master backhanded Private Alan to the ground. He then dropped Autumn to the floor. She coughed violently as she gasped for air. The Doctor could do nothing but watch, clinging on to his last ounce of life.
“Compassion…is…a…weakness. Don’t follow the Doctor’s example.”
“Then I suppose you’re in luck.”
The Master turned to face the Brigadier. The Master smiled.
“You should be grateful that I lowered the gun’s settings to its lowest. At full power you would’ve lost your leg completely.”
“I would never thank an enemy, especially you Master. Now stand down!”
“Why do you continue to fight for him? What is the point? Does this crusade mean that much to you that you are willing to die for a man whose name you don’t know?
“For that man, I’d happily go to Hell and back. That’s what he means to me. You clearly don’t understand the concept of friendship.”
The Master approached the Brigadier with overconfidence.
“Well I needn’t look into that too much because what’s one frail old man going to do against---”
With that the Brigadier unexpectedly performed Venusian Aikido on the Master, paralysing him momentarily before the Brigadier flipped him over his shoulder. The Master crashed to the ground and fell unconscious.
“Quickly,” the Brigadier turned.
Autumn pulled herself up and approached. The Brigadier grabbed the Master and pulled him up.
“Here, help me carry him.”
Autumn followed the instructions. She helped the Brigadier drag the Master towards the upright operating table the Master was earlier strapped to. The Brigadier and Autumn tied him up accordingly. The Doctor coughed up blood before tilting his head, as if his energy suddenly depleted. Autumn noticed and rushed over.
“Doctor!!”
“Don’t you die on us now, Doctor,” the Brigadier ordered whilst he finished retraining the Master.
“I’m ready!” Private Alan announced, having gotten up and moved over to the machine’s switch. The Doctor looked up at Autumn and wheezed out words. Goodbye.
“No,” whispered Autumn. “You do not give up yet. You do not leave me. You have a duty to stay.” She paused, considering what she really wanted to say: you have to stay alive so that you can watch my plan unravel.
The Brigadier looked on, realising. The Doctor was out of time. He gave the order. With that Private Alan pulled the switch. The machinery operated in reverse and within moments the same electrical energies sparked around the Doctor and the Master. The Brigadier stepped back. Autumn didn’t want to let the Doctor go. Private Alan stepped in and saved her from being killed by the process.
The Master awoke. His face turned to shock.
“No. No, this cannot be correct. I had won. I will not… I will be beaten this time!!”
The process entered the final phase. The Doctor’s and the Master’s souls escaped their opposite bodies and returned home. The energies calmed down. Everything turned silent. The Doctor’s friends stood by hesitantly. They approached the Doctor and wondered if he was okay. After a couple of seconds of panic the Doctor coughed and sprang back to life. Autumn hugged him in relief. Private Alan smiled. The Brigadier grabbed his shoulder, “Welcome back, Doctor.”
“It’s good to be back, Brigadier.”
The Doctor, with the help of the Brigadier, freed himself from his restraints. The Doctor caught his breath before turning to Private Alan.
“You threw away the gun.”
Private Alan looked on in confusion.
“That made you the better man. Today you became more than a soldier. You became a hero.”
Private Alan could do nothing but grin. These words meant a lot to him. His hero complimented him and showed he was proud.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You!!!”
Everyone’s attention turned to the Master, who was now stood before them.
“You ruined everything for me again.”
“Stand down,” Private Alan ordered.
“It’s over, Master,” the Brigadier added. “This time you’re finished.”
“I am never finished. I’m a survivor. By any means necessary. Until the day my purpose is completed.”
The Doctor pulled away from his friends to help.
“Let me help you, Master. It’s not too late for redemption.”
The Master pulled back.
“Typical, Doctor. Always willing to hold out the hand of friendship despite his enemy attempting to claim the life of himself and his friends. It sickens me. And that’s why I am destined to kill you.”
Suddenly the base began to explode. The machinery overloaded and caused a chain-reaction. The ceiling crumbled between the Doctor and the Master. The Master forced himself back onto his feet and dragged himself to safety. The Brigadier raised his weapon. The Doctor intervened.
“No, it’s not worth it. He’s done. He cannot hurt us anymore.”
With that he led his friends to safety as the base continued to fall apart.
***
The Doctor and his companions managed to return to the cross-road corridor in which they were earlier captured. The Time Lord stumbled and fell. Autumn came to his rescue. The Brigadier watched out for danger. The entire base was unstable, explosions got closer as the rumbles increased in strength.
“I’ll be alright,” the Doctor announced. “The strain of the body swap is quickly fading.”
He clutched his chest in pain. Autumn and Private Alan helped him to his feet. The Doctor managed to stand straight before needing to lean upon Autumn for support. Private Alan became concerned.
“Is there anything that can be done?”
“Don’t worry, Alan, you’ve done enough for me today,” replied the Doctor.
Private Alan smiled.
“As I said before, you have come a long way today. Not many soldiers have the unique qualities that you showcased today; courage, loyalty and humanity. For that I am proud to consider you a friend. Perhaps when this is all over, you’d like to take a trip with me in the TARDIS.”
“I’d be---”
Before Private Alan could finish his sentence he froze. The Doctor looked on in confusion. Suddenly a decayed hand lingered over Private Alan’s shoulder, accompanied by a familiar laughter. The Doctor grunted in anger. The Master revealed himself. He lingered behind Private Alan as he held him still like his very own puppet.
“Dammit, Master, let him go!!”
“And why should I? Why should I let you escape unscathed after you ruined my plans?
The Doctor became desperate. “Please, Master, whatever emotions you are feeling right now they are directed at me, so let Alan go.”
“You never get it do you, Doctor? Myself and others attack your companions because it attacks you in the most personal way possible. I’ll call this my pay back and insurance policy for future encounters.”
The Brigadier raised his gun. “You don’t have a future!”
“Don’t do it, Brigadier,” the Doctor pleaded. “Let me handle this.”
“Sorry, Doctor,” the Brigadier replied. “This time I’m going to give this monster what he deserves.”
The Brigadier prepared to pull the trigger. The Master laughed. The Brigadier inquired.
The Master replied, “You say I have no future but you are deadly wrong. Mr. Alan here is my future.”
The Brigadier looked on in concern. The Doctor realised the Master’s intention.
“Don’t do it, Master!!”
“The Master…Reborn…”
Before anyone could stop him, the Master merged himself with Private Alan. Private Alan could do nothing but watch as his life was taken from him in his petrified state. The Master laughed and laughed. The Doctor and his companions watched in horror. A bright light, like regeneration energy, continued to glow around Private Alan as his body morphed between himself and the decayed Master. Finally the Master dominated Private Alan. His mind fused with Private Alan’s body, whilst his decayed body disappeared completely. In the final stage of the take-over, the clothes around Private Alan changed. The transformation ended. Private Alan stood there in a Master-like costume. The Master laughed. The Doctor fell to his knees, speechless.
“Rebirth is such a wonderful thing.”
“What have you done to Private Alan?” the Brigadier demanded.
“I’ve taken over him of course. I first did this some hundred years ago on the planet Traken. I believe the man was called Tremas. That body lasted me for some time, and I hope this body does the same. At least until I can find a better means of survival.”
“You are going to pay dearly this time, Master. Mark my words I will---”
“You have the Doctor to blame for this, Brigadier. He should’ve known letting me escape instead of you shooting me was always going to end this way. My time spent in the Doctor’s body gave me all the time I needed to generate energy to stabilise my condition of decay at the hands of time.”
The Brigadier looked at the Doctor. He remained on his knees, not saying a word. The Master chuckled. “Looks like I finally broke him.”
An explosion erupted nearby. The Master looked on concerned.
“Sorry to leave things unfinished but I must dash. It’s been a fun little experience I must say. Quite life-changing in many ways. Hope we meet again soon, Brigadier, I do enjoy our little pep-talks. And as for you, Doctor, I look forward to our next encounter. Try facing me in battle whilst staring into the eyes of the man that was devoted to you, that would’ve gladly given his life for you and you were unable to save in their most desperate hour.”
The Master rushed off down one of the corridors. The Brigadier prepared to pursue when suddenly the familiar whooshing sound echoed. The corridor disappeared, turning into a wall.
“The corridor was his TARDIS?” the Brigadier questioned.
The base began to crumble. The Brigadier turned and dragged the Doctor to his feet and pulled him away from the destructive environment. They rushed as quickly as possible back to their own TARDIS.
They entered and moved towards the console. The Doctor fell into his chair. He didn’t say a word whilst the Brigadier and Autumn panicked to get the controls working. The ship shook as the base outside entered the final stages of collapsing.
“How does this thing work?” the Brigadier demanded.
Autumn refreshed her mind. All those manuals she’d read on her ship came back to her, and she dematerialised the TARDIS, seconds before the base exploded, and piloted it more smoothly than the Doctor ever had.
***
The TARDIS materialised back at UNIT HQ.
Inside the Brigadier congratulated Autumn for her affords. Autumn smiled at the acknowledgement. The moment of happiness was broken when they saw the Doctor skulking in his chair, saddened by the day’s events. Autumn approached him.
“Doctor,” she asked. There was no response. Autumn sat by him, holding onto his hand for comfort. The Brigadier watched from the console. He had never seen the Doctor look so defeated. It almost made the Brigadier sad inside seeing his old friend in this state.
“It wasn’t your fault, Doctor.”
“Wasn’t it…” the Doctor slowly replied. “I have known that man since childhood. I knew the kind of man he was then and what he became because of me. I should’ve done something about it centuries ago but, like always, I allowed my compassion to get the better of me and now an innocent man, a hero, died today because I didn’t stop the Master. This happens to me all the time. It may one day happen to you too. It wouldn’t be the first time one of my companions died because of my failure to stop my enemy. Everywhere I go, death and destruction follows me because I don’t have the strength, the stomach to do what is necessary. My enemies will always have the advantage and I will inevitably always lose.”
“That’s a lie,” the Brigadier stepped in, making his way over to the Doctor.
The Doctor looked up at his old friend.
“You have the advantage because you have what they don’t. A soul. In many ways I used to be like my enemy; shoot first, ask question later. Following orders that I either didn’t understand or simply didn’t question. And then you came into my life and showed me a difference, that there is always another way. You showed me how to use my heart and not just rely on instinct. Because of this you will always be better than the Master, the Daleks, the Cybermen, the Autons, the Axons, the Zygons and whoever else comes up to face you. And you will always win.”
The Doctor shed a slight tear before thanking the Brigadier for his kind words. The Brigadier simply smiled.
***
The Brigadier later exited the TARDIS. The Doctor followed, standing by the door to say farewell to his old friend. The Brigadier turned.
“I won’t forget Alan.”
“Me neither.”
“He was brave. Right until the end. It’s heroes like him that inspire others to do great things. So don’t worry, Doctor, his death will not be without meaning. Everyone at UNIT will know his story.”
“What will you do now?”
“You know me, Doctor. Try and stay out of trouble like yourself.”
The Doctor laughed, “And we know how that turns out.”
The Brigadier saluted the Doctor.
“Goodbye, Doctor.”
“Farewell old friend.”
The Doctor gave a single wave before returning to his box. The Brigadier lowered his hand and sighed, “One of these days I’ll get you to salute me.”
“Daddy!!”
The Brigadier turned to be greeted by a little girl. She hugged him. He smiled, returning the favour.
“What are you doing here, Kate? You’re supposed to be with your mother.”
“Mummy got scared when your boss said you disappeared so she decided to come here to look for you.”
The Brigadier laughed, “Your mother. Always the worrier.”
Suddenly the TARDIS dematerialised. Kate looked on with wonder on her face. The Brigadier watched as well with a smile on his face.
“Is that the Doctor, daddy?” Kate asked with excitement.
“Yes it was,” the Brigadier replied. “Perhaps one day you’ll get to meet him too”
Kate smiled at the possibility.
***
The Doctor stood by the console, working his mystical time/space machine. He started humming the song from earlier. Autumn noticed, watching his every movement almost as if she were studying him.
“I don’t understand you, Doctor. One minute you’re all doom and gloom and the next minute you’re humming a song with a smile on your face as if nothing happened. Did the Brigadier mean so much to you?”
“You wanted to know who I am and today you saw the best of me. The Brigadier is one of my oldest and dearest friends. He reminded me why I travel with companions. They bring out the best in me. When I started my journey all those years ago with my granddaughter Susan---”
“You have children and grandchildren?” Autumn interrupted.
The Doctor paused for a second before continuing.
“---I was an old man, without patience and without a full concept of humanity. And then they arrived. My first companions. Two school teachers; Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton. They taught me how to be better again.”
“Again? What exactly happened to you back on Gallifrey?”
The Doctor remained silent.
“It had something to do with the Master, didn’t it? The man you mentioned before, who taught you the wonders of the universe. That was the Master wasn’t it? Whatever happened between you two left a hole in you and your companions made up for that. You gained a friend again.”
The Doctor smiled.
“And that’s why I let you tag along, Miss Rivers. Always the perceptive one. So then, off we go on another wild adventure. Wherever and whenever you want, so what shall it be?”
“I’m not fussed.”
The Doctor smiled in amusement before flicking switches, turning dials and rushing around his mad spacecraft to operate the controls. Upon pulling the handbrake the Doctor started typing on the console. Autumn observed.
“What’s that rhythm?”
“I don’t know,” the Doctor replied. “The Master never really explained why he used it other than saying the rhythm was always with him.”
The Doctor continued typing on the console. A rhythm of four.
***
“So what did you learn?”
Autumn looked on at Lord Dalta, considering her answer carefully.
“I learnt that he has other enemies,” she stated. “Angrier, older enemies than myself.”
“But not that he regrets them?” Dalta raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Not that he has made up for his mistakes with the lives they take?”
“Made up for them?” Autumn chuckled. “Every life the Master takes is in the Doctor’s name, and the same goes for all the rest of his enemies. And that’s the way it works with us – everyone who gets hurt because of this gets hurt by the Doctor. He takes full responsibility.”
“But no one will get hurt, will they?” Dalta leaned in. “You promised me that.”
“Then you’d better ensure that I get exactly what I want, or the plan will have to take some… unexpected turns.” Autumn sat back in her chair and left that one hanging.
“I’m sure I can provide it.” Dalta considered. “What do you need? What are you keeping from me, Miss Rivers?” He pushed as far forwards as he could, in the hope of drawing her in. “In one word, what can I give you to help you destroy the Doctor?”
Autumn sat forward and whispered in Dalta’s ear: as proposed, one word. A word which, upon utterance, sent Dalta’s mind racing with all its many possibilities.
“Fame.”
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Next Time
The Infestation
It is Christmas Eve and the first time in recent memory that the Doctor has allowed, at Robin's request, a Christmas celebration on board the TARDIS. He thinks it is a sign that she has recovered from the main portion of her grief over the loss of her family at Christmas time. But he soon regrets his decision when the Feast becomes an inFestation after one of Robin's purchases from the respected Harrods in London quickly evolves into a major threat to the lives of the Doctor, Robin and Autumn and the TARDIS herself. With the cloister bell throbbing, and Autumn, the Doctor and the Doctor's sonic now incapacitated, it is up to Robin to solve the mystery, destroy the threat and save the day, while fighting back memories of the loss of her own family and the risk of losing this new and unusual one that has helped her heal over time... is she up to it? Episode list: 1. Shattered Time 2. Run 3. Rebirth 4. The Infestation 5. The Doctor Dyad 6. On Air |