[Unintentional video; Waters of Mars spam 2/4. Warning for spoilers.]
[This time, the video starts when the Doctor flips down a computer keyboard, leaving the screen free to film his face. He's staring into the screen, but clearly not realising he's being recorded, focused on trying to figure out whatever it is he's working on. Adelaide's voice can be heard from off-screen.]
You don’t look like a coward. [She says, off-hand.] But all you’ve wanted to do is leave. ... You know so much about us.
[The Doctor pulls a face, sucks in a breath and carries on working, trying to be casual about it.] Well, you’re famous.
It’s like you know more.
[And he stops. Looks to his left, where Adelaide must be standing. Hesitates. And then, looks back at the screen while he explains to her.] This moment, this precise moment in time is like - I mean, it’s only a theory, what do I know, but. I think certain moments in time are fixed. Tiny, precious moments. Everything else is in flux, anything can happen, but those certain moments, they have to stand. This base, on Mars, with you, Adelaide Brooke, this is one vital moment, what happens here must always happen.
Which is what?
[Again, a hesitation. Then he says quietly:] I dunno. [There's a pause, then he looks over at her and says:] … I think something wonderful happens. Something that started 50 years ago. Isn’t that right?
I’ve never told anyone that. [She sounds shocked, bewildered at how much he knows.]
You told your daughter. [He's looking right at Adelaide now, the screen in front of him forgotten.] And maybe - one day, she tells a story to her daughter. Of the day the Earth was stolen and moved across the universe. And you…
... I saw the Daleks. [Her voice starts getting far away as she tells the story, remembering.] We looked up… the sky had changed. Everyone was running and screaming, and my father took hold of me... I never saw him again. Nor my mother. They were never found. But out on the streets… there was panic, and burning, and I went to the window. And there… In the sky… I saw it, Doctor. And it saw me. It stared at me. It looked right into me. And then… it simply went away. [There's almost a smile in her voice as she finishes.] I knew, that night, I knew I would follow it.
But not for revenge.
What would be the point of that? [She sounds completely bewildered by the concept. The Doctor lets out a tiny laugh, smiling at her.]
That’s what makes you remarkable. And that’s how you create history.
What do you mean?
Imagine, Adelaide. If you began a journey that takes the human race all the way out to the stars. It begins with you. And then your granddaughter, you inspire her. So that in 30 years Susie Fontana Brooke is the pilot of the first lightspeed ship to Proxima Centauri. And then everywhere… her children and her children’s children forging a way… to the Dragon Star, the Celestial Belt of the Winter Queen. Map of the Watersnake Wormholes. … One day, a Brooke will even fall in love with a Tandonian prince and that’s the start of a whole new species! And everything starts with you, Adelaide. From fifty years ago to right here, today. [His voice drops to a whisper as he finishes.] Imagine.
[Adelaide's voice is almost just as hushed as the Doctor turns back to his screen.] Who are you? [He doesn't answer, and her voice grows stronger, more insistent.] Why are you telling me this? Doctor. [And he looks up, finally.] Why tell me?
[His expression is pained as he gazes at her.] As consolation.
[There are some high-pitched beeps from the computer, and the video cuts out.]
((OOC: Turquoise font is Adelaide, normal font is the Doctor. No replies to this post, as things on Bowie Base One are coming close to their conclusion, but feel free to chat among yourselves.))
You don’t look like a coward. [She says, off-hand.] But all you’ve wanted to do is leave. ... You know so much about us.
[The Doctor pulls a face, sucks in a breath and carries on working, trying to be casual about it.] Well, you’re famous.
It’s like you know more.
[And he stops. Looks to his left, where Adelaide must be standing. Hesitates. And then, looks back at the screen while he explains to her.] This moment, this precise moment in time is like - I mean, it’s only a theory, what do I know, but. I think certain moments in time are fixed. Tiny, precious moments. Everything else is in flux, anything can happen, but those certain moments, they have to stand. This base, on Mars, with you, Adelaide Brooke, this is one vital moment, what happens here must always happen.
Which is what?
[Again, a hesitation. Then he says quietly:] I dunno. [There's a pause, then he looks over at her and says:] … I think something wonderful happens. Something that started 50 years ago. Isn’t that right?
I’ve never told anyone that. [She sounds shocked, bewildered at how much he knows.]
You told your daughter. [He's looking right at Adelaide now, the screen in front of him forgotten.] And maybe - one day, she tells a story to her daughter. Of the day the Earth was stolen and moved across the universe. And you…
... I saw the Daleks. [Her voice starts getting far away as she tells the story, remembering.] We looked up… the sky had changed. Everyone was running and screaming, and my father took hold of me... I never saw him again. Nor my mother. They were never found. But out on the streets… there was panic, and burning, and I went to the window. And there… In the sky… I saw it, Doctor. And it saw me. It stared at me. It looked right into me. And then… it simply went away. [There's almost a smile in her voice as she finishes.] I knew, that night, I knew I would follow it.
But not for revenge.
What would be the point of that? [She sounds completely bewildered by the concept. The Doctor lets out a tiny laugh, smiling at her.]
That’s what makes you remarkable. And that’s how you create history.
What do you mean?
Imagine, Adelaide. If you began a journey that takes the human race all the way out to the stars. It begins with you. And then your granddaughter, you inspire her. So that in 30 years Susie Fontana Brooke is the pilot of the first lightspeed ship to Proxima Centauri. And then everywhere… her children and her children’s children forging a way… to the Dragon Star, the Celestial Belt of the Winter Queen. Map of the Watersnake Wormholes. … One day, a Brooke will even fall in love with a Tandonian prince and that’s the start of a whole new species! And everything starts with you, Adelaide. From fifty years ago to right here, today. [His voice drops to a whisper as he finishes.] Imagine.
[Adelaide's voice is almost just as hushed as the Doctor turns back to his screen.] Who are you? [He doesn't answer, and her voice grows stronger, more insistent.] Why are you telling me this? Doctor. [And he looks up, finally.] Why tell me?
[His expression is pained as he gazes at her.] As consolation.
[There are some high-pitched beeps from the computer, and the video cuts out.]
((OOC: Turquoise font is Adelaide, normal font is the Doctor. No replies to this post, as things on Bowie Base One are coming close to their conclusion, but feel free to chat among yourselves.))