Greet the Dawn, The Doctor

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

The screams! That was the part she remembered the most, the part that danced through her brain even now, the look in his eyes as his mind was shredded. She felt sick at the thought of what she had done; of how she had hurt him. She had been angry, so angry at him. She hadn’t been able to see straight, hadn’t been able to think straight, she had just wanted to burn him, to make him feel the ache that she had; he had to know what pain she had felt. She felt the moment when her soul ripped, when something snarling and ugly had torn itself free from the gilded cage it was kept in and swept through her like wild fire, deliciously searing heat that made her very skin burn. She had tried to undo it, tried to control that horrible part of herself that she had never before allowed herself to acknowledge but it had been too late. Fed by her anger and her malice that horrible part of herself had done things to him– every unspeakable thing, burned in a moment into the mind of a boy, too young to understand his own selfishness. He would never be able to find himself in the sea of memories she had tried to drown him in.

Arkytior buried her face in her hands, what had she done? How could she have lost control like that, allowed herself to succumb so totally to her anger, her rage, and her selfish desire to be revenged on him. Now she was exhausted, she felt the tiredness prick at her eyeballs and she scrubbed her face with her hands to try and push the feeling away. She didn’t deserve to rest, she didn’t deserve repose or respite after what she had put him through. She would not be forgiven for this, despite their talk of a fair hearing, it was clear even to her that their minds were made up. Not that there was much discussion to be done, she had done it – she was guilty. It was merely a matter of deciding upon her punishment but she could almost guess that they would decide. She shivered trying not to think about it.

The council had adjourned, leaving her alone at last, or at least physically alone, she could still feel the last echoes of their disproval and shame washing over her mind, making her feel unclean and unworthy. How could she face her house after this? Such displays were unbecoming, unseemly for a Time Lord in training; she would never finish at the academy now. There was no way they could allow her. She wanted to blame this other self, that blot of darkness that had taken hold of her, but even now as she swore and cursed it, she knew it was a part of herself -true madness indeed talking to yourself and expecting an answer.

Arkytior wrapped her arms tightly around herself, ‘I am sorry’ she whispered to the air, wishing he could hear her, wishing that her power to put things right had been as strong as her power to destroy him had been. Tears pricked her eyes and she buried her face in her hands as they started to fall. It was hard to say which part frightened her more, the thought of what the council had planned for her or the idea that that ugliness, the fear and malice that she had inflicted upon him had been part of herself all along, locked up inside her but ever present. Now it was free, now she knew it was there and she could still feel it, like the echoes of a nightmare that doesn’t quiet flee with the light of morning. She wondered if she could ever run far enough to leave it behind now when she could still sense it, like a pursuing shadow, cat footed, evil, and gaining.

She gasped and looked up when the door opened; fear compelling her to her feet. Her eyes sought out the figure that entered, unaccompanied, without entourage or ceremony, his face (for by its build it was obviously male) hidden within the cowl of a cloak. Arkytior braced herself, tried to square her shoulders and put on a cool dispassionate visage, the image of the aloof Time Lord but failed miserably. Was it time? Was this it? Where the council about the bring down the hammer stroke that would end her universe?

---

Word Count:824
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

The great man... the little student triumphing over the odds an academy was too quick to throw at him... a member of the Deca solely because his best friend Koschie and his... what was Ushas? Over all the years they'd known each other... sometimes Theta thought of her as an arrogant emotionless robot. Yet she had such passion - such a fire - down deep... her long brown hair was what made Theta think of her as more than a friend... and her cynical nature made him decide that he hated her though he didn't know why. They had made him a member of the Deca - the two smartest students in the academy paired with Theta 'flunking' Sigma. He remembered when he'd been given that grade in piloting... he remembered when the teachers had sneered at him and the name had stuck...

Yet now he was praised for it. He was praised for succeeding where any NORMAL person would have failed - would have given up. He was praised simply because it was 'popular' to do so - Theta's mentor Borusa had seen to that; he had displayed the three-hundred year old graduate like he was a show piece... and the poetically unstable, government-distrusting world of Gallifrey ate it up. They ate it up too quickly to notice the rising interest rate and the declining birth rates as more and more 'children' were born straight into the 'forces' of the CIA. It had been like setting a match to kindling - the discovery of the Hand of Omega (and it's choosing of him) had not only elevated the young Theta Sigma from a small managerial position on the council to the 'man' who would be running for president in under a decade.

And it hurt... because everywhere he looked, everything he saw... was corrupted. Gallifrey was beautiful - beautiful to look at... but under it, in a small - almost mythical - corner of the world sat the blackest of holes... a festering pit of politics hidden under a blanket of dry humor and stuffy boredom. Theta knew two things about his people... they had the potential to become what they once were so easily... and yet... they were boring. No creativity, no individuality, no REAL freedom... a whole culture bent around celebrating mediocrity. Parading around in huge robes muttering quietly and staking children out in front of a black hole to see if they were worthy... showing them all that power and then slapping their hands away and telling them it was 'bad' ... it wasn't 'bad' - no matter what Koschie said... it wasn't chaos or hatred or anger or rage... those were things you took with you.

What Theta had seen when he'd looked into the faces of the three factions within the High Council - debating over what to do with the Hand of Omega (and consequentially him) had shaken his faith to the core. THAT was corruption - three million years of absolute power had bred a race of fat contemptuous politicians... and a race too complacent to do anything about it. And when he'd looked into the eye... he had seen worlds, he had seen stars and life... he'd seen yellow people under a yellow sun eating chipped fish and cheesed burgers... he'd seen monsters and wars and life and death and joy and birth. He had seen all that... and every part of him - every part he'd denied so long - yearned to FEEL what he saw.

With the council hungering for the power Rassilon and Omega had denied them... and a people who would do nothing to stop them Theta had severed ties... and yet...

Standing in the shadows of the council waiting chambers Theta could see the council members whispering amongst themselves. Already what had been done was passing through Gallifrey like wildfire - within days his beloved little cliff rose would be locked away. Her personal genetic signature stricken from the great loom... nothing would remain of her when she had passed on as anything but an embarrassing example used by teachers to promote the idea that the telepathic and telekinetic gifts once used by their people was 'wrong' somehow.

That was it - no more no less. They would not help her - they wouldn't make her better or even try to understand her - just lock her away... Shadda or the hidden holdings deep under the panoptican. They would take her joy - her giving heart - and lock it away rather than face the fact that she was but a child who couldn't have understood the world she'd been thrust into. Clutching his long robe closer around his shoulders the 'great man' wished that he felt like a great man rather than an aging man... but even an aging man could protect his family.... and so he would. Hm? Yes... yes he would.

Leaning against the wall Theta pulled a control unit out of his robe and typed in a sequence. Suddenly a 'giant green blob' shimmered into existence (basically the image of a Rutan blown up several times and turned upside down) and a sly grin slid across Theta's face, "This should keep them busy," he chuckled, "Yes, yes indeed... now off with you - go, shoo," adjusting the control again Theta smirked when the 'giant blob' shot down the hall shrieking like some sort of glow-in-the-dark banshee-monster from hell. Watching the majority of the guards go running after it Theta hobbled towards the door to the council chamber just as two of the three council members came charging out the door - as the last one passed through she practically shrieked at the young woman sitting on a chair in the middle of the room to remain where she was.

Spinning around the woman charged the door and just 'happened' to trip over the hem of Theta's rob, "Forgive an old man," Theta mumbled feebly, "Forgive him and pass on, yes - pass on while we starve, it is our lot in life after all," shoving him out of the way the woman scowled, "Be quiet! Stay here and look after the girl, we will return in a moment," bowing several times Theta tugged at his hood, "Yes m'lady yes, hm? I will be most glad to guard the prisoner," the woman scowled, "She's no prisoner! Just... just WATCH her!" with that she was gone and Theta turned to take in his little cliff rose.

She looked like a child - barely (in human years) thirteen... though it was difficult to judge the age of a race that existed outside of time. Her just barely formed female figure was nothing to sneeze at - but she was no super-model... and with her mind and her already formidable powers she probably had not a friend in the world... or at least didn't know she did. Hobbling towards her the old man saw a look of fear cross her face as he slowly raised his hands to take hold of his hood and pulled it back. Almost instantly the appearance of an old man vanished - a proud man, a man of a commanding presence, appeared in his place. Hardly in his dotage the only real 'age' that appeared on Theta Sigma was the long streaks of gray in his hair and the wrinkles around his brilliant blue eyes.

Seeing recognition dawn on his granddaughters face Theta put his finger to his lips when she started to mouth his name, "No little one - not now, we must go - yes, hm," he smiled warmly, part of the clown under the lord coming into play, "To the mountains of fire - where the silver trees grow. We're going away... far away now, you and me... maybe we'll find your name sake," reaching out as she still looked afraid Theta brushed his hand against the child's face to comfort her, "Poor little rose... I'm sorry.... so sorry... please, we must go - there's so much time and very little to do," getting to his feet Theta held out his hand, "Come with me,"

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

There were shouts and calls coming from the corridor that the figure had just come from and her eyes unfocused at the distressed noise as it echoed over and over inside her head, becoming his screams once more and she was forced to retake her seat before gravity took her tumbling to the floor. Arkytior’s head felt fuzzy, like it was full of cotton wool or like she was listening to everything under water. She registered vaguely the command for her to remain where she was, and the instruction that the old man guard her. The door snapped closed behind her and she ventured once more to look at the person who had been left to watch her while what ever problem had overtaken the halls was dealt with, a temporary reprieve no doubt.

Her breath caught as he pulled back his hood, all care and age gone from his figure as he seemed to straighten, his shoulders and stance broaden to the figure that most of their community knew now as an ‘up and comer’. The only person in her house to whom she felt any real connection, or perhaps it was a connection more imagined than real or more craved than genuine. Their society was not one of frivolous emotion, her parents took no pride in her work at the academy, nor anyone in her house took note of anything she did at all really, because she was emotional and ‘odd’ -because she fell far short of the yard stick used to measure the great and the good on Gallifrey. The only emotion they seemed able to feel was pride, but pride without real superiority of mind was frivolous and false.

She wanted – no needed to speak to him, to explain herself, or perhaps to beg forgiveness. She wanted to justify herself in whatever way she could to plead with him not to give up on her. She tried desperately to catch his gaze, to plead with her eyes for understanding, the thought of his anger, his disappointment or shame made her feel physically ill, worse perhaps than any physical punishment the council could deal out to her. Yet as she opened her mouth to speak, his name springing to her lips, her cut her off and for a moment she feared the worst of his castigation.

"No little one - not now, we must go - yes, hm…To the mountains of fire - where the silver trees grow. We're going away... far away now, you and me... maybe we'll find your name sake…Poor little rose... I'm sorry.... so sorry... please, we must go - there's so much time and very little to do," he said gently, the first words that had not been barked at her since this all began and the tears that had not really stopped since she had first been brought to this chamber seemed to abate as he touched her cheek. She placed a hand over his, a sobbing sigh at his promise, daring to hope that she might not spend her days as her houses shame and a fable to tell Gallyfreyan children.

"Come with me," he offered and she could not control herself but she hugged him, one of those overly emotional displays that she was often reprimanded for. ‘Oh Grandfather’ she said into his shoulder. After a moment she controlled herself, pulling away to sit back on the seat. ‘I…I can’t…I…I did something terrible’ she said unable to look at him her face buried in her hands. ‘I hurt him! I hurt him so badly…they say he’ll never…never be okay again.’ she sobbed.

‘I can’t go, I have to stay here, I need to be punished for what I did. she cried

---

Word Count:781
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

When Arkytior her arms around him Theta was shocked - though that was understandable on a planet where shaking hands was considered racy. His eyes widening slightly Theta felt embarrassed for being surprised and cursed himself for still thinking like his people. Letting his arms wrap around the frightened child Theta kissed the side of her cheek and rocked her back and forth until she was calm enough to let him go and step back. When she said that she couldn't come - planting herself in her seat and bowing her head so that he couldn't see her face - Theta watched the stun-cuffs on both her wrist (connected by a signal rather than a chain so that if she left the room there'd be enough pain to make her pass out) and then scowled, "Child you are young - a little girl frightened of powers we suppress rather than express," reaching into his pockets Theta pulled out a piece of wire and - ignoring the little girls protests - began to pick the lock on her left-most cuff.

When she continued to say that she SHOULD be sent away - that she'd hurt the boy so that he would never be better again - Theta scowled, "Look at me Arkytior... child!" the last part was said with his typical short temper and firmness though his eyes still showed his love for her, "You are not healthy - I know that, you've always been special... but you also have gifts. MANY gifts that could be used so brilliantly if this world simply tried to understand - rather than cover or suppress - those of you... those of US who are different," when she said she needed to be punished Theta un-clipped her left cuff and went to work on the right one, "Who said you needed to be punished? Hm? Those figureheads?"

He poked her tiny chest with the hand he wasn't using to undo her cuffs, "You read their minds didn't you? Hm? You 'knew' just like you always know... with every part of you you KNEW - instantly - what they would decide... and because they decided you must accept it, you're a good little gallifreyan what else would you do?" watching the other cuff fall to the floor Theta poked her nose, "I know you think well of me child - I know you hold me in the highest regard... don't," he shook his head, "My little one I am showing the three sure signs of aging... a gray hair, a slight pot-belly... and feet of clay," he smiled sadly, "Think for yourself child, don't let them do it for you..." slowly Theta kissed her forehead and smiled sadly, "Tell me... what am I thinking right now? Hm?"

Leaning his forehead against her's Theta closed his eyes - opening the door wide just as he'd done for her when she was a child and her parents (his children) would admonish him for doing so, "What thoughts are in my head... don't think about them, feel them... feel who I am - and who you are - and then tell me... even with all you've done, do you really think - do I really think - that you need to be locked away? Hidden from the light of those stars that are so far above us? Hm?" opening his eyes Theta chuckled that same warm cackle he always had, "I won't leave you my little Rose, never - not unless you wanted me to... or were too afraid to tell me to," wrapping her in a hug Theta felt her bury her face in his shoulder and nodded, "That's right... shhh... we're going to leave - yes, leave together. No more cousins, no more parents... like a vacation, just you and me,"

Getting to his feet Theta undid the sash around his robe and raised a finger to his lips, "We have to be quiet now - but not for long, just hold onto me," he said as he stood to his full high and then made her stand on his shoes. Tying his sash back around his waist Theta then pulled on his robe and leaned forward as she hung off his chest under his robe, "Here we go,"

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

Their world was strange and frightening, full of contradictions that extolled the virtues of power over time and space, power they had engineered and studied for but that with that same brush stroke pushed their innate power as far away as possible, to distance themselves from their base and animalistic past. The fact that she had these powers at all was proof of the fact that she was a monster, a base creature, not worthy of being part of their great society. They would lock her away, and their world would be better for it.

Before she could argue he was working on the cuffs. His curt words brought her eyes back to his, forced him to look at the truth in his face as he ‘made’ her listen. He was talking about her not being healthy, about her powers being gifts rather than the curse she had been told her entire life that they were. She couldn’t listen to him, his kindness hurt more than their anger had. She didn’t deserve it, for what she had done she should be castigated, outcast and locked away where she would be forgotten.

He said he was getting old but of course by the standards of their people he was young enough, despite the fact his body was aging and showing the signs of it. She almost smiled at his insinuation of his physical form, it was almost funny. He kissed her forehead and pressed his head to hers.

His mind was all brightness and light, for the first time in a long time there wasn’t silence in her mind, she felt the connection to another person that mere words could not create. She saw her connection to him, his affection for her, the thing she wanted most from her family laid out before her. She could see all those lights, all those words, all those potential sights, sounds, smells and minds, all out there under a thousand different stars, a thousand different points in time. More than that She saw the way they were going to get out of here. This time she smiled a true smile ‘thank you grandfather’ she whispered to him.

They broke apart, her tear stained eyes moistening again in tears of happiness and relief as the true possibility of his words rang clear, it was possible – they could get out of here. She clambered onto his feet, holding onto his chest, trying to make as inconspicuous a bundle as possible beneath the robe. No sooner had she done so than the door opened and she held her breath.

Beneath the robe she could hear very little, the heavy fabric smothering the sounds of the outside world so that the rumble of voices were indistinct as she held white knuckled to her grandfathers form. She could hear her grandfathers words clear enough through the his chest. His explanation seemed to please them as they seemed to move off.

After a moment she released her grip and her feet returned to the floor, flexing her fingers to ease the cramping that had resulted from her frightened grip on his clothing beneath the robe. Arkytior glanced around, while she knew they were gone her adrenaline still raced and her heart thundered in her chest sure that any moment they would be back to claim her.

---

Word Count:781
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

Theta grunted slightly when the small girl grabbed hold of his torso and allowed him to tie her in place. It was all he could do NOT to hunch forward as - while she was small - he was getting older and with all her weight concentrated on that one spot it was hard to adjust. When she finally became still Theta patted the back of her head through his robe and then hobbled towards the door. Limping slightly it was barely a second after Theta passed through the doors that the council came running back, "The girl," Theta said, pitching his voice slightly and disjointing his words he pointed at the room he'd just come from, "Gone, through the window - did something to me, gone now," the lead woman shoved him, "Fool! Get the guards! I'll wager she ack!'

When the woman pressed against Theta's robe to shove him a sharp 'knee-like' edge jabbed her in the stomach and she almost fell over, "My lady I am so sorry - my balance, I almost-" the woman steadied herself and pointed him down the hall, "Just go! You've caused enough trouble," bowing a few times Theta quickly turned on his heel and hobbled down the right-most hall in the direction of the hall of relics. As he passed the lift Theta glanced over his shoulder and then sniffed the air. Nodding when he was certain Theta began undoing the sash around his robe - unfortunately Arkytior hadn't been prepared for it and she seemed to come tumbling out of his robes.

Trying not to laugh at her surprised look Theta yanked the robe off himself and tossed it to the floor and sighed. He was wearing a pair of gray palm gloves as well as a long black coat and a pair of patchwork-colored checkered pants. He also had on a pair of boots and his long black hair - reaching just above his shoulder blades - seemed to make him look like a cross between a hobo, a scientist and a rockabilly madman. Bending down next to his granddaughter Theta took her hand and grinned widely, "Run,"

And so they ran. Heading towards the stairwell that led past the sight-to-sight transport Theta unlocked it and together they headed for the service ducts and unused sections of the Capitol. Beneath the shining city of the Time Lords existed many bunkers and fortress emplacements from a war long forgotten. Servants quarters and even some houses still stood from the mighty capital of the Time Lord Empire. Yet Theta's people - and their mighty leader Rassilon - had 'abandoned' that path... or so they claimed. While many time lords worshiped Rassilon Theta still held great regard for the Great Time Lord Omega... while many of his peers sought to restore the Time Lords to their great power Theta held true to what he considered Omega's teachings.

Knowledge for the sake of knowledge was all that mattered to him now... Omega had thought that way... and he had been lost when his ship was destroyed all those eons ago. The usurper - Rassilon - had rebuilt Gallifrey and created a great race... only to loose it when the High Council overthrew his iron-fisted hold on their home world. Rassilon had also been a great man... blinded by power and then thrown down by charletons. He, like Omega, surely must have meant more for Theta's people than skulking in shadows and pretending to watch while you secretly built for a war... yet that was all the Time Lords seemed to do. A race unable to procreate, to do really even EXPRESS those feelings... as Theta and his granddaughter ran through the decaying undercity (the rotten core that had been built around the eye of harmony) Theta could not think of a great thing that had been done by his race in over a thousand years...

In fact, the only thing he COULD think of... was that he needed - now - to get the hand of Omega off this planet before it was too late... or else. It rather surprised Theta when a soft voice spoke to him as they climbed the service stairs towards a vent-shaft. Glancing at Arkytior the skinny time lord was surprised at her question, "I told you, we're leaving the Capitol. The cousins, your parents, this city... we're going into the wilderness," kneeling down Theta began to work the screw-holes the held the above grate free with an old screwdriver he pulled out of his pocket, "Now don't worry - we'll be perfectly safe," undoing one screw he began to work on the next, "I know some of those that have walked into the wilderness... some of them are even like you, great power but no one to help them use it,"

Smiling Theta leaned to the side when another screw dropped, "Maybe someday we'll find a way to break the transduction barrier and leave - perhaps we'll go to see those stars I showed you, you'd like that wouldn't you? Hm?" smiling Theta undid the last screw and slowly began to raise the grating... when Arkytior asked her next question. Letting the grate drop in surprise Theta stared at her and opened his mouth, "I... uh... well - to save you of course. I couldn't just leave you..." sighing Theta looked away, "I couldn't... I couldn't leave you - no but... but there are other reasons as well," when she seemed to almost joyfully ask him what - like she was excited at him having a secret - Theta sighed and tried to think of a way to describe it to someone who was as young as she was.

"many years ago there was a great wizard. A wizard who was very wise. Now this wizard had a wand... it was a great wand... a wand that could make stars. Unfortunately the wizard died when he tried to make the greatest star of all time - his horse threw him into the star and he vanished... however, the wand was left behind," as they exited the access-hall and entered the main relic room Theta ducked down and began to survey the area, "The wand started many wars - people fought for it, they wanted to make their owns stars. Eventually the wand was lost and forgotten... or, to be exact, it hid itself. It didn't think any other wizards could be trusted to use it,"

Reaching a control box Theta yanked the cover off and began to rewire it, "But, a few weeks ago, the wand found a new person - a new apprentice. It wanted him to help it make stars again - to make life for others - so that it wouldn't have to hide anymore," with a 'thrum' the power to the hall of relics was cut and the whole area went dark as Theta turned off the majority of the lighting and the security systems, "But, another wizard - and many other dark wizards - wanted to take the wand from the apprentice to DESTROY stars... to give themselves power to destroy everyone and everything," realizing Arkytior was hanging onto his every word Theta smiled, "Yes, I'm the apprentice... the wand found me - but people want to use me to kill with it... and I won't,"

Helping her stand up Theta slowly led her into the hall of Relics, "I have to leave the capitol - tonight, but I couldn't leave you... I couldn't leave my little cliff-rose here. You are special - very special. You could be made better but they won't make you better... their going to tear you out by your roots and lock you away. Their going to hide your emotions - your powers - away from others and yourself until you forget them," Theta looked sad, "I know you made a mistake- no," he put his finger over her mouth, "You listen to me now, hm?" when she nodded Theta sighed, "It doesn't matter that you lashed out - that boy will never be the same again and - because of that - neither will you. You will never forgive yourself for that... you'll make yourself a better person to make up for it. But locking you away because you are a child... that is wrong,"

Taking his finger away Theta kissed her forehead again, "Our people have committed many sins... by our own fault we can now have no NATURAL children. You're a miracle Arkytior - just as your parents were, though they deny it," he shook his head, "No child, no matter what the mistake, should be written off when we so carefully and so constantly try to deny OUR own pasts... and the atrocities we ignore right outside our own planet," he nodded, "You need help little Rose... and if no one else will give it, then I will," getting to his feet Theta looked around, "Now then... where did I leave it..."

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

Her fluttering fear was calmed by his presence by the fact that he seemed so calm and collected in the face of all of this. When he slipped his hand into hers she found it very hard not to smile broadly, a wide grin, it felt like the first she had given in a long time, returning his smile affectionately for the man that had risked everything it seemed to save her. Like something momentous was about to happen, something wonderful and shining, that seemed confirmed the moment he said run. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest, it felt right! Her legs took twice as many steps as he did in order to keep the pace with his much longer strides, down darker passages than the shining city of the time lords, a metaphor for their culture itself, all shining above ground and darkness that runs beneath where no one could see.

She had never been to this part of the city before, never dared go beyond the chambers and corridors that she had been expressly permitted to by her parents and cousins. She had never dreamed of disobeying them before but somehow now it was okay. They stopped at a ventilation shaft ‘But where are we going grandfather?’ she asked him still anxious at being insde the city, but her trepidation rising as to where they would go from here. He answered and he must have read her next question on her face as he added that they would be safe enough out there in the wilds. She wasn’t sure if she believed him, but then she had no reason not too, it was simply that a life times worth of indoctrination was hard to overwrite in a moment. ‘But what reasons Grandfather? Why else do you have to run?’ she pressed, her fear forgotton for a moment as interest and curiosity shone in her face. She hunkered down beside him as though listening to the tale in some less fraught environ.

She had heard about her Grandfather finding the hand, it was one of the few things that anyone had spoken to her about in the past few weeks. What few classmates that had given Susan enough consideration to realise that she was the related to Theta Sigma had only deigned to speak to her to enquire about him, about his find and what he planned to do next. Of course Arkytieor had had no idea, and she had only been able to respond with an awkward shrug of her shoulders, which solicited many snide comments and rolling eyes before they left her to her own devices once more. The story he told her, well the story was more fitting, more magical and sad perhaps than the stale jaded story that she had been told by her teacher and classmates about the discovery, reported as cold scientific news, with no detail as to what the councils plans were, only that the great Theta had done something else great and she should be lucky to be in the same house as him.

Arkytieor followed him into the hall of relics, she had never been allowed here and she almost gave herself whiplash as she tried to take in all the sites at once, her head snapping from one sight to another, but she stopped at the sound of his voice, the serious tone that he had once again take on . She felt compelled to look at him, and was almost going to argue to repeat her earlier sentiments that she should be punished for what she did but he cut her off. He was right of course, she would be different, she felt different even now. There was a weight in her chest that had not been there before, a strange shadow that she couldn’t seem to shake or pin down, perhaps it would pass, but perhaps she would always feel just a little bit empty. She allowed the feeling to slip away a bit when he kissed her foreheard.

She had not expected help when she had sat waiting in the council chamber, it was not their peoples way, the thought of it now made her feel heady and a little dizzy. ‘thank you Grandfather’ she said but it was barely more than a whisper and she wasn’t sure if he heard her since he was already moving and looking for the ‘wand.’ She moved three or four paces further into the hall slowly walking among the pedestals and the glass cabinets that contained the various relics. She stopped at one, her eyes widening as she stared at it. ‘Grandfather! Grandfather is this it?’ she called to him. ‘Where are we going with it? Where will it be safe with us?’ she pressed him.

---

Word Count:894
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

As Theta examined the various halls that - usually - led in and out of the hall of relics the first thing he noticed is that almost all of them were sealed off... which presented a problem. WHY were they sealed off? He'd only told one person about what he'd planned to do here... that person had inspired him... if he... licking his lips Theta glanced at his granddaughter and smiled when she pointed out a 'hovering' crate sitting against the far wall, "That's it," Theta said. Whistling twice Theta grinned when the crate suddenly pulled away from the wall and hovered over towards him, "Deep inside the hand of omega sits - the greatest relic of our peoples past,"

When the crate lost interest him and spotted his granddaughter Theta laughed as it circled around the small girl and 'sniffed' her like a curious puppy, "Well don't be afraid of it - the hand has the power to create or destroy stars. It's sort of 'bled' into the casing... it won't hurt you," watching her caress and talk to the crate Theta shook his head, "I dunno little one... you better stay here and keep an eye on it - it might try to run off," picking her up under her arms Theta helped her climb on top of the crate and grinned when the hand spun around three times like it was enjoying the sound of Arkytior giggling.

Sighing Theta licked his lips as he looked around the relic room, "Sit still for a minute and listen," putting his hands on the crate so it would stop spinning Theta grinned at his granddaughter, "BOTH of you - and don't tell me it started it," poking her nose he sighed again, "I want you to stay HERE - don't go touching anything or exploring beyond the chamber. I've got to see if... if the passage to the outer-dome is clear," it wasn't the outer dome Theta was worried about... it was what lay between him and the dome.

Letting go of the crate Theta sighed as it started to rock Amaryst back and forth so that she'd squeal, "Now promise me you'll stay here - I'm counting on you, you're old enough to watch my things for me aren't you? Hm? Yes, now promise you'll stay here," smiling at her reply Theta returned the hug, "STAY here," he said once more before sliding under the crate and running down one of the halls. Darting into the central network of halls that led to and from the relic room Theta mopped at his forehead, "All closed off except one path... closed off but worked like a maze so I'm not supposed to notice it hm? Yes... well, we'll just see about that," pulling out the screwdriver he'd had in his pocket earlier Theta jammed it into a security-box and pried it open.

But that ended in a growl when he saw what was inside the box, "They've taken out all the wiring... all the controls..." hearing the sound of boots on the tile further up the hall Theta scowled, "Why do I feel like a lamb that's been led to an otter... yes..." stuffing his screwdriver inside his pocket Theta edged his way along the wall and then ducked down behind a service hatch, "Let's see whose after me THIS time,"

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

Artykior’s face broke into a wide grin as the box glided over to them, despite herself she giggled. Happier still when ‘it’ started to nose around her, if it could be said to be ‘nosing’ seeing as how it didn’t have a nose-like the dogs of Barcelona. She reached out a slender hand and patted the box squarly on where she assumed its ‘head’ was in an affectionate manner. It was odd, she wasn’t sure if she should since it wasn’t ‘alive’ in the real sense, and yet there was something about it, something strange like a tingling in her mind that wouldn’t be annoyed, the sort of feeling you got in your nose after you had inhaled pepper but wernt quiet ready to sneeze, but that feeling, combined with the platitudes of her grandfather put aside any misgivings she might have had about it. She knelt down beside the box, ‘Oh hello! Aren’t you cute’ she cooed, rather an odd statement since it was, in essence, a box. ‘Are you coming with us? With grandfather and me – He says we are going to be safe with him.’ she told the crate like she was comforting a small child.

The Doctor helped her to her feet and then onto the top of the crate where she was able to perch, the box didn’t seem to mind as it spun her like a whirly-gig and she squeled with delight before clasping her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound as she struggled to control her giggles, her shoulders shaking with the effort to stop laughing. The Doctor told them off gently with a grin and with one hand still over her mouth she pointed at the box, passing on the blame to it as she continued to giggle into her hand, while the box did its best to make her laugh out loud, starting to rock back and forth. Grandfather made her promise to stay put and she nodded at him. ‘Of course Grandfather, Ill stay here on the box! As long as the box stays in one place that is!’ she said with a grin as the box spun once more on itself, even as her grandfather disappeared from sight.

She decided she liked the box, she supposed the item itself didn’t ‘feel’ anything bad in her head, it was just there – it was neither bad nor good, rather is was defined by the intent with which it was used. She rapidly grew tired of looking at the dusty relics in the room, none of them were as fun as the box and she wasn’t allowed to touch them anyway. The room was achingly quiet now that her grandfather had gone she patted the top of the box, feeling the gentle hum of the ‘mind’ within the box, it didn’t feel like a mind, not a proper one, but it was an intelligence of sorts. She asked it what it knew of royalty, what it knew of the stars and all the magnificence that her grandfather promised in his mind. No sooner had she thought it than she saw flashes and images of fierce and wonderful people, that felt powerful even though they didn’t speak or move, stars exploding and gases crushing together until they ignited into a fire and molten heat. Susan gasped at the images, the power her grandfather had spoken off, laid bare.

---

Word Count:894
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

"My greatest student," a cool calculated voice came down the only open hall that led to the chamber of relics, "I know that many others decried you - claiming you pointless and insignificant... a sub-par student in a world of geniuses YOU were the only average person..." slowly - almost glidingly - a tall purple-robed man with gray hair... and a troop of chancellery guards behind him marched down the hall, "Who is average now?" glancing at the open service box Borusa sighed, "Come Theta... there should be no secrets between us... not after all this time, come... let us see what you have learned," stepping out from a service hatch Theta - his face lined with sweat - scowled at his teacher, "Borusa... humph... why?" Borusa smiled charmingly, "Come now my boy... I want exactly what I told you I want, the Hand of Omega must NOT be used,"

Theta spat on the floor, "And I suppose you aim to destroy it? Hm? Lies do not become you Borusa... the hand of omega is indestructible - it and it's sister unit," Borusa nodded, "Indeed... therefor, it needs a guardian," Theta laughed hollowly, "Yourself? Hm? Yes? The chancellery commander - the mighty Borusa - guardian over the ONLY key that can unleash the power of the hand of omega... why USE such a destructive tool if you can 'protect' the tool," Borusa smiled, "Ingenious isn't it?" Theta just crossed his arms as Borusa continues, "Come now Theta - this is what you want. You want our people to step in... and step in we shall,"

Theta scowled at that, "No! Not like this, not as conquerors! Ambassadors! Doers of deeds - not warriors! TIME Lords not War Lords! There are WORLDS out there Borusa! Worlds you can't imagine - worlds of fire and cities of songs! Somewhere there is pain and somewhere there is JOY... we don't NEED to own the universe anymore - we don't NEED that power that burned us so long ago... just to see it - just to help the soul in pain and to ease the remorse of the lost... just to SEE the universe.... isn't that ownership enough?" Borusa clapped his gloved hands, "Marvelous Theta.... really, it is... but what you don't realize is that you COULD accomplish these things FASTER with the hand of omega... and even if you couldn't - and I say IF... do you really think I can allow this to slip through my fingers now?"

Watching as the guards began to close in around him Theta swallowed sadly, "I thought... I thought you, of all people, would understand," Borusa nodded, "There is darkness in the universe Theta - corruption... I understand the need for order, for stability-" Theta spread his arms imploringly, "That is not HELPING! NO! That is controlling! Manipulating! What RIGHT have we to have absolute power?! We could do SO MUCH MORE than just laud our power - sitting in our cold little corner of the universe HORDING that power and doing NOTHING with it!" watching as the guards began to restrain his student Borusa spoke.

"You're right Theta - there is so much more that could be done with our power, if we MUST have absolute power than we should use it... but men like our president, like the chancellor, have no right to the power the hand contains - there should be no in-fighting over it's use. I will secure the hand and I will dictate the terms, THEN we will-" punching one of the guards in the face Theta roared angrily when he was grabbed by three others, "But it's NOT FAIR!" pointing their stazers at him the guards watched as Borusa stepped towards his student and said, "You're right... it's not... that's why you will quite calmly take control of yourself... and tell me; where is the crate?"

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

‘Oh you are special arnt you’ she said sliding off the box to kneel and pat its ‘head’ once more. It was a nice box, but it was odd to not have a response as such to her attempts at conversation. She looked over her shoulder, looking for any sign of her returning grandfather – there was none. She looked at the box ‘I think by ‘stay here’ he meant in the room, like don’t go out into corridors and things, Im sure it’s okat if we have a look around here.’

The box agreed – or rather it didn’t protest and as she walked through the room the little box followed her like a puppy, every now and again circling her, trying to get her attention once more. There wasn’t an aweful lot of interest in the room, most of the more interesting items were under glass and she darnt remove them so she was about to go back to her corner and continue to amuse herself with her box when she stopped suddenly a strange noise filling the air

The sweet, sweet singing, the sound of the universe, like a thousand soft melodic voices singing a harmony that was deep and tremulous, and high and incandescently melodious at the same time. She wasn’t just hearing it, she was feeling it, like a shuddering note that resonated low in her stomach making her shiver and all of her hairs stand on end. The music was so familier, like something she heard a thousand years ago or the remnants of a dream lost between sleep and wakefulness

It reminded her of someone, someone that she didn’t really see anymore, or at least the part of them she had wanted to see was all but gone in a dim and distant memory – her mother. Arkytior followed the sound, allowing the song to lead her through the crates and cabinets of the hall, and allowing her slim arms to wave and move in time to the pulsing rythem, her feet and body moving of their own volition in a waltz like movement in time to song.

The sound seemed to be coming from a large silver grey box with no discernable feature on the outside save for a cut section that looked like a door. The notes changed to a higher pitch and she placed her hand on the smooth surface expecting it to be cool to the touch, but instead it was warm and seemed to thrum beneath her fingers, not the thrum of machinery or engines but with what she could only define as a sort of life, ‘Hello’ she whispered, pressing her cheek to the box, ‘Do you know my mother? Is that why you sing like her? Did she tell you about me?’ she asked, almost hoping the ‘thing’ would answer in the affirmative, proof positive that her mother had cared enough to admit a connection with her progeny.

There was no answer, but the tickling her mind became a full blown touch and images of the boy and everything she had done to him flew into her mind, or perhaps were taken from it by the machine and her heart clenched painfully a fresh wave of bile rising in her stomach at the thought. She jerked back, stumbling back a step and away from the it and the pitch of the music drops, as does the tempo, to a tune that could only be described as a lament, a mournful sound that would tear the soul in listening to it, and there was a caress in her mind, like a comforting hand.

Between the song and the memories, she resigned herself again to tears that she couldn’t hold back. Her shoulders shook and her hands covered her face for a moment until she had recovered enough to stop the free flow of tears down her cheeks. The hand in her mind had withdrawn. ‘Oh what should I do?’ she asked miserably, trying to chase that comforting mental presence once more. ‘Should I go with him? Or should I stay and be punished, I do deserve it, I know that.’ she sniffed.

There was no reply from the silver grey box, and the music had all but stopped, dropped off to almost silence that would not have been discernable save for the odd pitch change that caught her attention as she strained to listen. This metal box was disgusted with her un-Galifreyan behaviour – all the tears and horrid acts. She touched the side of the box again, a resigned pat, as if to say ‘no hard feelings.’

‘Come on’ she said to the small crate that was still pressing at her heels, clearly not happy at being ignored in favour of the bigger box. ‘Perhaps we should go back over there and wait for Grandfather’ she said clambering up on top of it again. The smaller crate was about to move off when there was a metlic clicking sound like locks snapping out of place and a deep whirr of doors opening. Susan turned looking back at the box, her eyes widening as the light inside it died to a level that her eyes could penetrate. ‘Oh my!’ she breathed.

---

Word Count:921
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

Shoving the guard who grabbed him away Theta glowered at his old teacher, "You LIED to me," Borusa laughed, "I have lied to you often... but always for your benefit," Borusa raised an eyebrow, "Come now - did you really think you could survive out there? There is nothing but chaos beyond the panoptican... red deserts, dense forests, huge flutterwings - you have spent your whole life cooped up inside this city... do you REALLY think you would have ANY chance of surviving out there?" Borusa smirked, "And what of your granddaughter... she'll only get worse you know,"

Theta sneered at that, "Not if I helped her," Borusa sighed tiredly, "Come now Theta - what hope could you have of helping her? She is nothing but a lost cause - yes, she is incredibly powerful... but she's also dangerously unpredictable... much like your classmates Ushas and Kos-" suddenly Theta made a move to grab Borusa by the throat but the guards grabbed him, "Don't you say their names! You don't have the right to say them - don't you DARE say them you..." it was obvious the man was near tears as Borusa smirked at him, "Always emotions - always letting your temper guide you... the 'great time lord' - you have an air of sanctimony that will get you into trouble one day... I should never have allowed the Hermit to tutor you as long as I did,"

Theta glowered at that, "K'Anpo is a great man," Borusa rolled his eyes, "K'Anpo is a FOOL! He didn't see the potential in you - he allowed you to bloom 'naturally' but I made you into a time lord - without me you would STILL be running errands for the Hermit and fetching him tea! Now!" motioning for his guards to let go of Theta the old teacher sighed, "No more games... where is the crate? Hidden in the hall of relics?" when Theta remained silent Borusa scowled, "You realize that I will find it," Theta smirked, "And you realize that if I'm dead it will teleport itself away,"

Narrowing his eyes Borusa snapped his fingers and watched as the guards pointed the pistol at his skinny apprentice, "Perhaps that's for the best... but you've exposed it to your granddaughter now," Theta's face paled, "I wonder... your genetic signature and her's are very close... I wonder if it would simply just imprint on her instead," swallowing Theta yelled out in pain when Borusa snatched a pistol out of one of his guards hands and fired a shot into Theta's left leg, "This is important Theta... the Time Lord society is corrupt - dangerous. I bring SOME level of stability but it is NOT enough... help me - use your psychic imprint, we can do so much good if you would just-" Borusa shielded his eyes as a flashing light began to appear 'around' Theta, "What in the-"

With a loud whoosh-thump whoosh-thump a silver box-like shape began to appear, "A TARDIS! Fire! Shoot now you fools - SHOOT NOW!" shots rang out from the stazers in the guards hands but the TARDIS turned them all away. Watching as the box 'went solid' and materialized fully Borusa yanked out an all-pass from his robes and plugged it into the TARDISes lock, "You'll have to do better than that The-" suddenly a huge static charge burst from the lock and Borusa screamed in pain as it electrified him and sent him flying backwards. With an almost 'satisfied' tone the silver box began to vanish as Borusa got to his feet, "Track it! Stop it! Don't let it complete the cycle!"

One of the guards looked at the scanner mounted on her wrist, "No good sir... it's a type forty - the license has been extracted... we can't stop it,"

Groaning weakly Theta sat up and let out a shout of surprise when a tiny brown-haired ball grabbed him by the throat and squealed with - something akin to - joy, "Yes little one yes, I'm alright," attempting to stand Theta groaned as his leg would not support the weight, "They've damaged the muscle tissue... I'll need a full regeneration to repair-" but to his surprise a very happy Arkytior produced an ornate cane - saying that the ship had told her he'd need it, "You always did have too large an imagination little one - ships don't talk," leaning on the cane Theta nodded, "Makes me look rather distinguished don't you think? Hm? Yes... now... where are we?" looking around the blue-colored room Theta saw a coat rack sitting against the far wall. Numerous pieces of paper and overturned crates lined the floor... leading out of the room he could see several old chairs and other chambers for various passengers, "This ship must have had quite a few passengers... well then,"

Mussing his granddaughters hair Theta began to examine the burnt-out looking console - half of which wasn't even working - and then he sighed, "How did you find our new... friend?" tapping his chin as he leaned on his new walking-stick Theta smiled, "Hmmmm... yes... aren't you a pretty thing..." he chuckled to himself, "Well little one?" he asked, as if noticing his granddaughter just then as she climbed up on the console and began to explain.

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

The light inside faded and she Arhytior could see the inside of the box. Everything shone a beautiful iridescent white, but the panels and central column had a feeling of disarray about them, like a job half finished or a repair half completed. The walls and floor where a wonderful deep shade of blue, like a slightly stormy summer sea, and contrasted with the central column. Despite the cold and clinical appearance it ‘felt’ comfortable, warm and homely. What lights on the consol that were working twinkled invitingly, the central column extended and moved out of the central consol. Arkytior felt a pull in her mind, a implication that she should be doing something. One of the lights that had not been blinking flashed vibrantly three times and then the button beneath it glowed. ‘Am I supposed to touch this?’ she asked the presence she felt in her mind. The button flashed again and she tentivily she reached out and pushed the button.

Fear tore through her as she felt the floor beneath her feet start to move and the central column began to move up and down. The Singing started again, a joyous song, that felt expansive and free. Beneath the song there was another noise, a coughing wheeze, punctuated with a deep thumping noise. Even before the noise stopped there was the sound of panic and shots being fired at the surface of the box. Arkytior squealed in fear and clutched at the consol. In response the a panel on the side opened revealing a cane tucked into the space and the external camera flickered into life. The grainy image appeared as the screen struggled to remain powered, there were men shouting and waving weapons at the ship, clearly looking for her grandfather who had appeared inside the magnificent box. If she had been capable of hugging the ship at that moment she would have.

her grandfather clutched at his leg. ‘Grandfather!’ she exclaimed, her own fear forgotten and grabbing the cane sprinted him. ‘Grandfather!’ she called, rushing to his side hugging him and pressing the cane into his hand, even as he tried to placate her, ‘You need it Grandfather, she told me you did.’ she said, not really explaining who ‘she’ was. Seeing his levity Susan broke into a smile as she sat back on her knees in front of him. He joked that he look distinguished and she smiled and laughed with him.

Her grandfather explored the rooms she had already perused in his absence and came back to join her, where she stood at the consol mushing her hair. ‘She sort of found me I think’ she explained, ‘She was singing,…so sweetly, I thought it was mother at first. She felt so kind and nice, and then I think she invited me inside – she opened anyway and she started singing even louder, you should hear her Grandfather, she’s so beautiful when she sings. And look at the colour grandfather, look at the walls, arnt they beautiful!’ she said brightly, pushing the buttons and pulling levers as they felt the shuddering whirr of the engines of the ship beneath them. ‘Her name is TARDIS, Time and Relative Dimension in Space- isn’t that a pretty name we thought off.’ she said ‘we’ meaning herself and the sentient ship.

---

Word Count:921
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era

[The Doctor]

Walking around the console room Theta brushed his finger against his nose, "Hm... we've just been exiled from our own home world... in one fell swoop I have not only cut us off from our home world, but our people AND any hope we EVER had of going back there..." tapping his chin Theta slowly began to grin, "Brilliant... hm... yes, yes indeed... brilliant," leaning on his new cane Thea pulled off his black coat, dropped it over his granddaughters skinny shoulders and smiling as she skipped around the console room after him - making the coat wave behind her - Theta grunted as he got down on his hands and knees (after setting his new cane down besides him) and crawled under the console.

"The problem is that I got my name from the awful grading I received during my flight tests... who knows where we'll end up if I try to pilot this ship..." try as he might Theta couldn't help but grin at that idea, "Hm... no idea where we're going... oh... I like that... what do you think about it Little one? Hm? Nothing in front of us but a giant abyss... no knowing what's out there..." shivering slightly Theta grinned (almost as if he was a child again) and mussed her hair when she said that the ship had found her, "Is that right? Hm? Interesting... from what little I can get out of her it looks like she was just a display model... looks like they tried to retract the TARDIS console room from the exterior shell..." pulling the left-most panel off the console underside Theta yelped when a bunch of junk tumbled out - finally ending with something called the Type 40 TT Capsule guide.

"Doesn't look like they finished with her... or maybe she didn't let them," noticing the book Theta put his hand on it and stopped, "You know... I really should use this... yes... the manual is very important," picking the book up Theta stood and sighed as he opened the cover and read the first line, "Hm... yes... Maintaining your Type 40 TT capsule... well," throwing the book over his shoulder Theta chuckled to himself like a naughty old gnome, "Now that that's done with," as he went to adjust the console again Theta glanced at Arkytior and raised an eyebrow when she said that the ship was singing, "I'm afraid it's-"

But she was already describing how it sounded like her mother - and who was Theta to hammer home the lessons ground into his brain as a child about TT capsules being products of the vortex and the imagination; I.E only as 'alive' as you thought they were? He believed there was more to TT capsules than the council mentioned... but alive? Shaking his head Theta said, "Never mind... it seems our um... crate has gotten bored of you," when his granddaughter looked behind her and realized the Hand of Omega had snuck off through one of the other halls Theta tried not to laugh at how comical she looked - a long Academy robe with his huge coat hanging off her skinny shoulders. Yet she seemed happy... happier than he'd seen her in a long time.

Theta knew that the ship - whatever it was - had already slipped into the vortex... but without any specific coordinates she'd just drift... for now they were safe... but for how long? Watching her press buttons at random Theta wondered if she was actually doing anything as most of the console didn't even seem to be working. When she mentioned the ship having a name - TARDIS - Theta was tempted to correct her about the proper name of a type 40 tt capsule - and he almost told her that the abbreviation of the name had already been coined, "Little one TARDIS is..." watching her face Theta sighed and shook his head, "A wonderful name, yes... now then,"

Slamming the panel back in place Theta licked his lips and began to flip the brakes off, "I have the ship... TARDIS up to half power... ten percent of the controls functional... and we're leaking fluid from every link on the ship..." watching his granddaughter twirl her hair around her fingers in excitement and ask him if he knew how to fly Theta grinned, "Come now little one, of course I know how to fly... it's the landing I'm not so hot on. Still... to fly straight into the vortex with no idea where you'll end up... to live... that would be a marvelous adventure... quite fantastic really... hm..." smiling himself Theta took his granddaughters hand, put it over the brake on the console, and together they yanked down on it.

With a loud THUMP the central colum began to move up and down again - as it was no longer just drifting through the vortex - and the console room began to shake, "Ooooh" Theta said, grinning at his little Rose, "That's interesting isn't it? Hm?"

[Susan Foreman]

:: :: :: ::
I know well what I am fleeing from
but not what I am in search of.

---

The idea of being exhiled from Gallifrey didn’t upset her as much as she thought it might. A few days ago perhaps it would have perturbed her more, the thought of never seeing her world again, but now it was different, now the future she had on her own world was one that involved a dark windowless room for the rest of her days, she would never achieve any of the things she wanted too by staying on Gallifrey now, but out there! The back ward by ways of the universe had more potential for her now than her home, as much as she would miss it. She was a little pleased that her grandfather seemed so impressed by the ship she had found, or perhaps more accurately that had found her. At his reluctance to fly it Susan beamed broadly. ‘She found us Grandfather, she wants to come with us too!’ she grinned, feeling the pleased hum of the great ship in her mind.

Susan screwed up her face at him saying she wasn’t finished, she didn’t feel incomplete, ‘she sounds fine Grandfather, she is still singing, she sounds like…well like mother, before when I was little.’ she said and as she moved around the console after him, she missed the bumping at her ankles that had become familier in the last while, as the box had trailed after her. She glanced around for it, to see the back edge disappear around a corner onto the one of the corridors off the consol room, where it led she didn’t know but she was sure she was find it later. Perhaps it was bored of their small minds and the curious box was now more enthralled with the large comforting mind that was all around them. She smiled at the thought.

The determined song of the ship brought her attention back to the consol and the buttons she knew she should press to get the ship moving, pushing buttons and pulling levers that seemed to have little more effect than to make a light bell, buried somewhere in the consol chime lightly. She kept pushing the bell button even as her grandfather stepped up to ‘take over’ the control of the ship. ‘Do you know how to make her work Grandfather? ’ she asked playing with her hair and smiling that at on this as well they were agreed, that the adventure of what could lie beyond the vortex was something, happier yet when he let her help him pull down on the break. A thrill shooting up her spine at the thought that struck her mind, that this was it – their first proper adventure. She grinned widely at him and tugged hard on the break.

---

Word Count:921
Tag: Doctor!
Graphics credit: moi
Lyric Credit: Michel de Montaigne
Notes: Setting: First Doctor Era