Part 03 - Chapter 28 - Should Old Acquaintances Be Forgot
I want to protest when the Doctor tells me that I am to stay on board but instead only nod when I hear Verity’s quiet words, ‘Don’t push on this, Jack, he needs you here for backup.’
‘Why?’
‘Sometimes people don’t like to be reminded that they owe a debt.’
Her words give me a chill as I realize that is what he is doing, he is calling in a debt to ensure that Rose gets the care she needs to be put back together. ‘Verity what’s going on?’
‘I can’t tell you, Jack.’
‘Can’t or won’t?’ Her silence does nothing to reassure me.
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I know Rose realizes I am keeping something from her but I dare not tell her the risk I am taking coming here. The Tzckizigeenz Emperor Tezear owes me his life but how it came to happen is not something he is going to be happy explaining. If and how he explains the fact that the only reason his life was in danger in the first place was that he was running from the fighting that was happening on Arzzaden, a planetary ally of theirs that fought in the Time War, will determine how we will be received. The fact that they have let us land is a good sign but no guarantee of safety. Tezear never even wanted to be off planet to start with, and definitely didn’t want to be in a war he had no part in creating, but as the eldest son to the ruling leader on Tzckizigeenz the task of representing his father’s interests there had fallen to him. Tezear was so young then, not even as old as Rose. He had seen so much death in such a short time that he panicked when a Dalek patrol had come too close to where he was hiding; I had seen grown men do the same but it had been a very near thing that either of us had survived. In many ways, the Tzckizigeenz people are like the Japanese in the eighteenth century and honor and courage are highly valued commodities. His actions in running would have been considered dishonorable by his people and met with the severest consequences.
He will not be happy to be reminded of this and were it anyone other than Rose I wouldn't even have come here. We had become friends in the short duration that we spent together, but power can do funny things to people. Too many good people had died on that planet before it’s defenders were driven away, and in a final desperate measure they had destroyed the planet rather than let it be used by the Daleks. At least that time it hadn’t been me that had done the deed, but it hurt no less knowing the cost.
Even as we step through the doors, I have tried to prepare for virtually any contingency. Verity has focused our connection to a very narrow tight band in order to ensure that, in spite of the jamming effect of their technology, she will still be able to stay in touch with me. The range we are using on the telepathic spectrum, although not easy for us, is impossible for the Tzckizigeenz and it will ensure that if there is any foul play she can, at minimum, get Jack away from here. Jack has earned that from me, with all he has done for us recently, even if I suspect he would be furious if he knew that was the reason I have left him behind.
I am careful to keep Rose on my right and slightly behind me; a position designating in their culture that she is under my protection. The area we have landed in is little more than a room painted pale green with no furniture of any kind and it is not long before Tezear arrives, the top two of his sets of his arms are hanging free and his lower set are crossed over his chest and stomach in a casual manner. I listen to the formal greeting of one leader to another and feel again the deep pang of loss knowing that I am once more, by default this time, the leader of the Time Lords and respond in kind, recognizing his authority here.
“So, Doctor, what brings you to Tzckizigeenz Major?”
“As you can see, my companion has a bit of a problem.”
“Ah, I take it that her cranial arrangement is not an intended choice then?”
“No,” I give him my biggest grin in hopes of softening what I am about to say, “I do seem to have a habit of finding jeopardy friendly companions.” The barest twitch of his mouth gives away the acknowledgement of remembrance and am glad to see the soft swirling shades of purple and blue that paint his body do not hesitate in the slightest in their slow drifting across his skin nor change color.
“Yes, it appears you do. Shall we adjourn to more private quarters to discuss why you have come to us with this difficulty.”
I watch as his eyebrows rise as I turn and address Rose in English, while at the same time I gently pull her in closer to my side. The very act of speaking to Rose in Tezear’s presence makes clear to him her importance to me, as much as the action of drawing her in closer to my body indicates my possession. I want there to be no mistakes that Rose is mine and that I will accept no one even considering her to be available; that possessiveness is also an assurance that I take full responsibility for any of Rose’s actions.
As xenophobic as they are they won’t have any interest in her as a mate, but I will not put it past someone to want to use her as a lab rat. Aliens on the planet have no legal rights; they are given only the rights their sponsors allow them. Sponsors are responsible for all the actions of the alien they bring onto the planet. Any punishments an alien might be subject to based on their actions are visited on the sponsor in double measure to that given the alien they sponsor; just one of the many reasons aliens are not welcome on the planet in the first place. “Rose, this is the emperor Tezear who has graciously agreed to hear the details of what it is that brings us to his beautiful planet. We are going to move to another room now so that we can discuss what can be done.” I do not wait for a response and I fervently hope she will remember my admonition to remain silent as I gently begin guiding her in the direction Tezear has indicated, noting as we leave the room two additional guards enter to take up positions next to the TARDIS. An additional two guards join behind us, so I am relieved as Tezear turns his back to us and precedes us, indicating to his guards that we are his respected guests and not a threat. I am not so naive as to think that the idea of him killing me hasn’t crossed his mind, but he would have to have reason for an outright attack of a political ally and I am hoping that and our previous friendship will be enough to keep us safe. I am a threat because of the previously existing agreements between them and the Time Lords, the dishonor my words regarding his actions when he was young would be enough of a disgrace to have him deposed. They may not like aliens in general but they know that there are some races it is not wise to cross, and there in lies part of my gamble. If he were to know that I am the last, there would be no reason to deter him from killing us both, other than friendship and I just don’t think that would be enough.
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As we step from the TARDIS, I note the smell of salt water and am surprised to find we are in a small room with only two doors one to each side of us as we exit. Igive a slight shiver as I exit but am surprised at how warm it is, realizing again that I am still hardly wearing any clothing and hope that where ever we are they don’thave Victorian morals or we are both going to be in trouble. I have braced myself unsure as to what kind of beings that we will be meeting this time but at this point as long as their not purple people eaters I’m not going to complain if they can get my head back where it belongs. I am pleased to see that the three men who enter look mostly human, aside from the three extra sets of arms aligned vertically up the sides of their bodies and beautiful swirling skin tones. A man with beautiful purple and blue drifting swirls in the middle is obviously theirleader and I can’t help smiling as I think of my last thought. Well he may be purple, but at least he isn’t looking at me as if I’m dinner, so far so good. He is dressed if you could call it that, in a fancy belt and a garment similar to swim trunks in a complementary purple swirl pattern. In his belt is what appears to be a very functional looking dagger about a hands length in size, the gems in the pommel are set in such a way as to ensure that it can be used and is not just an ornamental decoration -something I would have never thought about before I began traveling with the Doctor. His upper body, though, is bare except for a beautiful multicolored beaded necklace and a pair of wide cuff bracelets. The two guards behind him though are wearing what amounts to little more than a pair of briefs and have similar moving swirls of color that are in their cases much more composed of angry reds and blacks. The guards also have very deadly looking blasters strapped to their belts, making me hope the Doctor really does know what he is doing coming here. Well at least me wearing a bikini in public shouldn’t get us in trouble with this lot if this is what the greeting party wears, it also explains why it’s as warm as it is so I’m not liable to freeze.
I am jarred from my thoughts of the guards as a smooth string of words flow from the purple man. The words, it becomes very quickly clear, are of the same language that we heard before we landed, but are spoken with such grace it at first sounds almost like a different one. I know the Doctor had said Verity wouldn’t be translating, but this is really the first time that I have heard a language other than English spoken by one of the aliens we have met and it really is amazing. What is even more astonishing to me though why I am not sure is the even more posh sounding response that comes from the Doctor in the same language and I realize I am staring and move my head to look slightly away hoping that my disconnected state will make it less obvious that was what I was doing. As they continue to speak, I listen to the exchange between the two and wonder what it is that they are discussing. Caught up in the novelty of this new experience I am a bit surprised as the Doctor puts his arm around me, and explains we are going to another room while gently guiding me toward the right hand doorway. Instead of reassuring me, this increases my worries as he does so. He never has, up to this point, so blatantly shown anyone we were a couple before, making me wonder all the more at his actions and how safe it is to be here.
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I am relieved yet not surprised as we move only a little ways down the hall to a small elegantly furnished room containing several comfortable looking chairs and a small two person couch. I debate for a moment taking the couch but quickly quell the impulse to have Rose that close as I remember that those are reserved for married couples. In spite of our relationship, it would be far too dangerous for him to know how I feel about Rose. So I guide Rose to a chair nearby, but not so close as she could easily over hear our conversation and wait for him to sit before choosing a chair and watch as the guards turn and leave.
His first words both reassure and chill me. “First let me tell you that this room is both sound proof and shielded so our conversation will remain private. Second let me offer my condolences on the loss of your planet and your untimely death, though I dare say this form is far more fitting than your last for the work you do.”
I nod in acknowledgement of the reassurance and harden my face at his latter statements. “I appreciate your sympathies, there are not many now who remember the Time War or its true cost. Fortunately the loss of a planet does not mean the loss of a people, as we both know from Arzzaden as well as so many other planets.”
“So very true, a fact of which I am sure we are both relieved.”
“I will make this quick, as I know you are busy with the affairs of state. I am looking to see my companion’s life restored to its normal progression by having her head reattached properly, in spite of her jeopardy friendly nature.” Giving him my biggest smile, “I also know that your people are, if you will excuse the humor at my companions expense, head and shoulders above everyone else with regard to body modifications and I would consider it a personal favor if you could help us out.” As he takes in my request, I force myself to breathe normally to avoid giving away exactly how much this means to me. Nonetheless, I feel a flood of relief as he accepts my offer; my silence and the restoration of Rose, in exchange for the nullification of a life debt that his people would have ingrained in him that he owed.
Rising as he does, I move to Rose as Tezear leaves to arrange for Rose’s surgery.
“Rose, he agreed to help.” I am hesitant to tell her more as, in spite of Tezear’s assurance, I have a feeling the room is monitored, which had been part of why I had been so circumspect in how I phrased my request. I know he understood given our common history but having to be so very careful in my wording in order to avoid political time bombs is a skill I have never enjoyed. Speaking surreptitiously is a skill I have had to exercise for years now. I have had no chance to become rusty at it; between the need to say one thing while meaning another over live mikes during the war and then before that while arguing with the council of Time Lords. My pleas trying to get them to see their need to act, to stop the war, before it became to late to stop the Daleks had gone unheeded though until it had become too late to save them, and as always it was the universe as a whole that paid the price.
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The game has continued and I watch as the Doctor again tries to save his precious human. I had thought I had finally got him neutralized when I informed the Essarrians, through one of my agents, of his presence on Illupodifettoso but that dratted TARDIS of his had interfered. Well, she will get hers when I give her to the Master. However, for now I have not only him but also his human pets to deal with, but not for long. I can’t help but grin as I think of how I will taunt the Lady Order with his demise. I told her that the female would be his downfall.
“Ah there you are Lord chancellor. I have some important news for the emperor.”
Chapter 29 - Best Laid Plans
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