Hope That Someone Gets My (The Deca)

[Deleted]

“Doctor, when it comes to anything of a lethal nature, I generally enjoy mothering it”.

"Mothering too?" The Doctor teased on the table, "You've turned over a brand new leaf my dear Rani, I must admit, I'm impressed." However, it appeared that there were more pressing matters at hand. Namely, the lever that The Master was about to pull.

"Usually, I'm much fonder of levers," The Doctor admitted, "But, for some reason, I've got a sneaking suspicion that I won't enjoy this as much."

“You might feel a tingling sensation, Doctor”. A smirk followed. “Nothing you're not used to by now”.

"Well, I do enjoy tingles." The Doctor admitted, then he paused and said, "You're not setting me up to expect tingles only to feel a lot of pain? Do you?" He usually didn't expect tingles when he associated thoughts with The Rani.

[Rob "the Meddler" Goodfellow]

The Master stopped with his childish attitude for a moment and took a long hard look at Meddler. A long, hard, serious look.

"How do you remember all the torture I caused the Earthlings with the Toclafane, Meddler?" the Master asked, highly skeptical. "I don't remember you being on board the Valiant. Anyone not in the eye of the storm or within the Time Vortex would've forgotten the events of 'The Year that never happened.'" He drummed his fingers on the railing for a second. The familiar pattern 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Old habits are hard to break after all.

The Meddler stopped painting, laid his brush down, and half-turned to look at the Master. "I'm a Time Lord," he said, surprise evident in his voice, "and I'm the Meddler. Why would a little thing like a collapsing historical segment affect my memories?"

He hesitated, almost turning back to his work. Then he added, "Also, I wasn't on Earth when it happened. I was in Utopia."

Ignoring everyone else, he returned to his work.

---

A week later, ship time...

Locating a potentially useful black hole had not been the difficulty. Not in the Degenerate Era, where all that remained of the universe was dead planets and black holes. The difficulty, the Meddler had discovered, was using a Type 40 TARDIS for astroengineering work.

As a matter of course, the Meddler made fun of the Doctor's TARDIS. In fact, like most Time Lords, he engaged in the game of TARDIS one-upsmanship with everyone, and had once even managed a famous twelve-hour monologue on the superiority of his own Type 67 to a Type 101. But, he'd once been Loomed an Arpexian, and he appreciated the engineering behind the Type 40s.

But they were general purpose exploration vehicles. Not spaciotemporal engineering ships.

"How are we doing, Drax?" he asked, checking the Engineering panel's readouts for the fiftieth time.

The first response was the sound of the Rolling Stones. "Let's do it."

Throwing a pre-determined set of switches, the time rotor began to howl.

---

Actinic purple and amber lightnings played through the blackness of the Endless Night, painting an enormous and unthinkably complicated outline of witchlight. And then, like a whale surfacing, the TARDIS entered four-dimensional spacetime.

This was not the blue police box that materialized, groaning and roaring, allowing the Doctor and his companions to visit a new alien world. This was the full planetary mass of the TARDIS, the arbitrarily large vessel that normally remained within the Vortex, manifest withing the physical universe. In rough outline it resembled a flying saucer, in much the same way that a Dalek war cruiser resembled a frisbee. The perimeter spires of the Pillars of Destiny gleamed and crackled, stabilizing the vessel within the void of interstellar space.

(OOC: So, I offered to help move things along a little. Otherwise, we'd be at risk of sitting in the control room and snarking at each other forever. And while that would be fun, it would leave poor Millennia out of the gaming loop.)

[Koschei]

“You might feel a tingling sensation, Doctor”. A smirk followed. “Nothing you're not used to by now”.

"Well, I do enjoy tingles." The Doctor admitted, then he paused and said, "You're not setting me up to expect tingles only to feel a lot of pain? Do you?"

The Master made a sound of nausea. "Really. Must we get the two of you a room?"

"Wouldn't be the first time," Drax laughed.

"It would be the second time," the Master said. "That I am aware of, at least. And, the last time we spoke of it, the Doctor discussed the moment in tones of foreboding."

He paused, watching the Rani finish tighetning the straps. "And now," he said with a smile, hand resting on the activation switch, "at the risk of launching a thousand ships, shall we make the Doctor tingle?"

There was a soft click as he threw the switch.

---

A week later, ship time...

The maths were surprisingly elegant.

Drax was a physical engineer, not a theoretician. He probably could have developed this on his own, in much the same way that the Meddler had managed to implement his theory without destroying his ship. But, Drax had gotten ahold of the theoretical underpinnings and made them shine.

Two days of solid work later, and he'd stripped the materials reserves of the Doctor's TARDIS bare. Another day after that, he'd cannabalized fully 10% of the ship's mass. He'd reworked the entire power grid of the Type 40, allowing it to carry and utilize - safely - nearly a third of the power that his new "Eye" would be capable of generating.

"Which means," he'd said to the Doctor during a meal break, "you'll have access to approximately three one-hundredths of one percent of the full power output of the Eye of Harmony during the War. Congratulations."

Another three days were spent on the converter they'd use to "jump-start" Rallon's Regeneration cycle. That had required nearly half a day with the Rani and the two Masters, picking their brains for everything the three of them knew about the process.

"Incidentally," Drax had said when he'd met with the two Masters, holding an ice pack to his left eye, "offering to 'give the Rani some of your energy' doesn't go over well."

But now, everything was ready.

"How are we doing, Drax?" the Meddler asked, voice eerie and flat.

Drax pushed a button on his datapad, and music began to play. "Let's do it."

The ship lurched as it transitioned entirely from the Vortex to the four-dimensional universe of conventional space-time. Deep in the ventral hull of the timeship, standing within the containment vessel for the new Eye, Drax gripped a handhold and laughed with excitement.

[Deleted]

That week was rather annoying for the Master. Namely explaining almost all of his secrets of gaining extra regenerations. Whenever he wasn't explaining some of his secrets of regeneration, he had been working on a few different projects on his own, letting the others pilot the TARDIS, work on saving Rallon, or whatever they were doing.

In his work, he had already made a preservation capsule very similar in function to a TARDIS Zero Room where he was assembling a new body for Millenia. (OOC: And a nice set of Gallifreyan clothing on top of it to keep things still in the PG-13 range)

When the others weren't looking, he was also hard at work updating and modifying his Laser Screwdriver. The newer model had a number of new features installed on it, and was bigger in comparison (and flashier too) to the older model, and even to the Doctor's current Sonic Screwdriver.

The Doctor may not be a fan of using weapons, but they are going up against the Crystal Guardian after all. It seemed the Master was becoming quite the enemy to the Guardians of time.

But then again, this whole experience with saving Millenia and Rallon might just give the Master a few new tricks to battle the rest of them, should they ever get in the way of his Destiny again.

However, he also wondered if the others were prepared for the worst case scenario. In the event that they would be unable to extract the Crystal Guardian from Rallon, let alone be able to keep him contained, would they be prepared to kill him? To destroy the body and set him free from the Celestial Toy Maker's grasp?

He held up his finished screwdriver and examined it, allowing it to spring open. At least he'd be prepared. He killed an alternate universe of himself who was imprisoned by that universe's Doctor as an act of mercy to him. If need be, this killing would also be out of mercy.

He placed the screwdriver in his jacket pocket as the others prepared to get the new "Eye of Harmony" in the Doctor's TARDIS.

He will want the Sash returned to him once the new Eye is installed, Doctor, as is evident by the intense glare he was giving the operation.

[Deleted]

The Rani considered herself to be brilliant, but she despised the fact this regeneration seemed to like physical contact. Punching Drax in the eye was the highlight of her week, recalling the Ebony Master and his exquisite chortle as Drax scrambled for once in his lives to find words. After that event, the device she had enabled to harness the Doctor's excess regenerative energy from River Song was nothing more than the shape of a small capsule. Upon being swallowed, the energy would be expelled throughout the body – causing the previous form to trigger a regeneration. She held the capsule up and smiled to herself. Rallon would be a fully functional Time Lord once more.

The Rani placed the capsule in an egg like container and hung it around her neck, burying the container in her cleavage. If Drax was as any decent example to go by, the others would not want to attempt to grab the capsule.

Now, she had joined the others and was silently watching the moment unfolding in which even Rassilon himself would be proud of.

[Deleted]

The Vortex was singing, thrumming through her wood and paint. Songs of seduction and pain and triumph and loss. The song of her people and the song of the universe. Millennia could feel it all!

Gallifrey burning and rising again and again. Bundles of twigs that together were strong, but fell apart and viciously fought one another for might. Impossible dreams and far flung hopes and people that never were and people that could not be. The Vortex sung of monsters and goblins and wizards. It sung of cabbages and kings.

And one cabbage sang that soon they would be free.

They are coming to take us away!

Millennia might have felt triumph, if she were real. Being so heartless, the doll was far more caught up in the maelstrom of the Vortex with all its promises and beauty. The messages had been sent lifetimes ago, or might have been.

That didn't matter. This was the time when Rallon could be saved.

Despite the fact she was painted wood, and despite the fact her mind was burning from her immersion in the Vortex, Milli almost managed a smile.

Rallon could be saved.

[Deleted]

The time had come for their final descent into the Celestial Toy Room. The Doctor's demeanor was beginning to change from that of a goofball Time Lord with far too much time on his hands, to a well trained warrior, one of the last survivors of the Time War. He'd had his recuperation time from the Rani's procedure and after bolstering his own regeneration energies back up, he went to find his friends.

Long green pea coat, blue shirt, dark jeans and a red bow tie with matching suspenders. The Doctor had his war gear on. He was ready now. As he joined his friends in the console room. Drax congratulated him on the new power his TARDIS was capable of. He smiled and looked over to the two Masters.

"Try not to fall in this time, aye?" Blinking, he looked to the Meddler. If there was anything close to a group leader here, The Doctor liked to think it was himself, but if there was anything close to a second-in-command, that would be The Meddler's title on the ship.

Regardless, there was work to be done. He joined the pilots at the console, rubbing his hands excitedly, "Well then. Let's be on our way. Time to save our friends."

-------

The War Chief's innermost rage was building up, and he was about to burst. Everyone was so happy to joke around and tease each other, and they'd done so for an Earth week. He didn't think anything was funny, he wanted to get into the Crystal Guardian's plane, and wreck the place.

Magnus looked amongst everyone as the group in a foul mood, "There, the Doctor's awake, everyone's gadgets are finished, can we go now? This would have been much easier if you'd just let me persuade the Toymaker, to give our friends back."

-----

Jelpax watched Magnus's mood deteriorate over the past week. It was clear he cared very much about Rallon and Millennia, or at least just Millennia. That said, he was becoming increasingly more difficult to work with, and all the more frightening at the same time.

"If we could get started on this? I would be very much appreciative. We might be able to make use of Magnus's-"

"The War Chief, stupid."

"Er yes, the War Chief's rage, in a somewhat positive manner. Like, aiming a cannon?"

------

Vansell didn't seem anymore pleased with Magnus than Jelpax did. So when The Doctor arrived and they appeared to be ready, he began to plot the course. After all, if anyone had been outside their universe more, Vansell and his men had to have been the Time Lords for the job. Now that he was the last living member of the CIA, he alone had the most knowledge of hopping planes.

"In and out. That's the plan. We get in, as soon as we find Millennia, the Doctor should be able to recognize her in doll state, then we get you." referring to the Block-Computation Master, "To do what you've been working on. In the meantime, we'll immediately get to work on finding and separating Rallon from the Celestial Toymaker. Don't get wrapped up in his games. If someone initiates one of his childish games, he'll take full advantage of his dominance over the Toy Room."

[Rob "the Meddler" Goodfellow]

The work had been hard. Exhausting. Complex enough to distract the Meddler completely. But it was over. Now, he was free to brood.

Regardless, there was work to be done. He joined the pilots at the console, rubbing his hands excitedly, "Well then. Let's be on our way. Time to save our friends."

The War Chief grimaced, eyes burning with fury. "There, the Doctor's awake, everyone's gadgets are finished, can we go now? This would have been much easier if you'd just let me persuade the Toymaker, to give our friends back."

"The Toymaker will suffer for what he has done to my sister," the Meddler assured him, his iron discipline barely able to restrain a thousand years of hate. "And to Rallon. The 'gadgets' are our weapons, to ensure he is... persuaded."

As Vansell began to explain the outlines of his plan, the Meddler slipped a small device to the War Chief. "An earth politician once said it was wise to speak softly and carry a big stick," he said. "Think of that as a big stick."

[Koschei]

((I'm going to pass this round. I'll just delete this thread, once the next person posts.))

[Deleted]

"I think we've had enough talking," the Master said as he walked over to the console and grabbed a rather large lever with a big red ball on the end of it. "Now are we going to keep talking or are we actually going to rescue our former classmates?"

Without giving anyone a second to react, he pulled the lever, causing not only a big lurch but also to send the TARDIS on its Journey to the ToyRoom. "Time's up! Let's get this show on the road! Have Fun!" He clapped his hands together and pointed to the Doctor. "Oh, what's that old term your previous life used to use, 'Allons-y!'"

He laughed as he gripped the TARDIS Console from another lurch. Call him mad if you want. He's heard it all before.

[Deleted]

The Rani jolted as the TARDIS finally shuddered into action, she could feel the Doctor's regenerative energy as given to him by River Song pulsing against her hearts. It was so tempting to take it and keep it for herself, but - she had to play the part, keep to the books so to speak.

At least it was a lesson learned for the future.

Smirk.

Oh, yes.

This was going to be fun!

[Deleted]

Here come the drums. Now here they come. Yes, here they come!

Millennia might have laughed and cried with triumph had she been any less wooden of nature, had a blue fairy made her a real girl, but time was marshalling its forces so slowly! Tick....tick...tick scraped the second hands, too slow for an utterly heartless girl intent on freedom.

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

They were here.

[Deleted]

The Master had taken the helm very suddenly, and honestly in a less violent way, the Doctor probably would have behaved the same. So, the eight, nine if you counted variations there upon, would rescue the two. He was ready now, and wanted to do what he could. Which, given their enemy and his experiences with him, might be quite helpful in the long run, "I prefer Geronimo these days. But yes, time to set things right. Let's go!"

Jelpax didn't need much more than that to do what he was told. There wasn't much he could do but pilot and then do any computer work they asked him to. He wasn't a warrior, that was why The Master, The War Chief and The Meddler.

Magnus had the 'big stick' in his pocket. Chief was pumped, fists taped, flak jacket ready. He wanted to hurt something when he got out there. Someone needed to pay for the thousands of years that Millennia had suffered. He was going to ensure that justice was done on her behalf.

Vansell stepped up to the front of the group, "I cannot stress enough that we are entering the Toymaker's plane. We need to be as fast as we can. If you get caught up in his game, he'll destroy us before we can do anything positive."

[Rob "the Meddler" Goodfellow]

Vansell stepped up to the front of the group, "I cannot stress enough that we are entering the Toymaker's plane. We need to be as fast as we can. If you get caught up in his game, he'll destroy us before we can do anything positive."

The Meddler rose, tapping the orichacum spike of his cane on the floor. "And we are a gathering of the most dangerous Time Lords to walk the Spiral Politic since the days of Rassilon."

He let that statement hang in the air for a moment.

"And, as I recall, the Black Scrolls state that even Rassilon respected the power of the Toymaker and his ilk." A grin. "So, yes. Let us be cautious."

He glanced at the War Chief. "At least, until there is no longer need for caution."

Then he strode towards the door. "Come," he said, without looking back. "Let us be the Deca in truth, once more."

[Koschei]

"Somebody is throwing poetry and family before common sense."

The Master leaned against the secondary control railing of the Doctor's TARDIS, careful not to touch anything. He also made no motion to follow the Meddler.

"Ordinarily," he continued, staring back at the Meddler, "I understand that you are - even more then myself or my other self," a nod towards the blonde Master, "are prone to - nay, even crippled by - planning for every contingency. And yet, here you are. Ready to charge through the door like some knight on a quest."

He smiled. "What was it you told me once, Meddler? Back in your second Incarnation? Ah, yes... I'm no hero. Heroes don't come back. Survivors return home. Heroes never come home."

Looking around the room, he gauged everyone's reactions. "Now, I feel confident that we have died more deaths than the rest of you combined. And that we have never enjoyed any of them. And that we would prefer to minimize future deaths. So..."

A dramatic pause.

"How do we subdue the Toymaker, without destroying Rallon in the process?"