Crime and Punishment (Part 5/7)
Title: Crime And Punishment
Author: tromana
Rating: T
Characters: Tenth Doctor, Martha, Another Character
Spoilers: General Series 3 and the Audiobook / Webcast ‘Shada’
Summary: On the way to celebratory meal on Barcelona, the TARDIS is pulled off-course to Shada. Surely the Time Lord’s prison planet should have died with them?
Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who. Still. I've got some DVDs though...
Notes: I really don't like this part Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four
Part Five
“You seem to know where you’re heading?”
“I think I know who we’re looking for.”
“You’ve been here before then?” Martha stopped. “I mean before they imprisoned you.”
“I know what you meant. And yes, with the Doctor, in his eighth form. This is the third regeneration I’ve seen him in now. He should be more careful.”
“So that’s at least his ninth body? How many times have you regenerated? Is there a limit?”
Martha hadn’t meant to spurt out so many questions in such a short space of time; and wasn’t sure whether it was considered rude or not to ask about how many times a Time Lord had regenerated but it was a bit late now. Besides, it was something to fill the silence; and she had a feeling that Romana would not be particularly forthcoming with details of who they were looking for. Even if she was, it would make no difference to her if they were ‘good’ - she didn’t know them. If they were another Time Lord of the same ilk of the Master, however, that was something that would just worry her.
“In order of your questions, yes, but possibly even later. Just the once and yes, 12. Well, when the planet still existed. Who knows now?”
“Did it hurt?”
“What? My regeneration?”
“Um, yes. Sorry if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“No. I induced it. Would have been rather less pleasant if it was out of my control, I’ve been lead to believe.”
Romana smiled altogether too brightly for someone talking about what the Doctor had described as the Time Lord method of ‘avoiding death’. She raised a hand to silence Martha, listening carefully. In the distance there were footsteps, growing gradually louder. A heavy swagger immediately identified them as not belonging to the Doctor. A low guttural growl echoed down the corridor and nearly caused Martha to jump out of her skin. Romana, however, managed to remain somewhat calmer, grabbed her by the arm and dragged her through a wooden door which looked totally out of place.
“You know, I really think I’m right, Martha.”
“Where are we?”
The room which they were sheltering in seemed to resemble a rather spacious office. Only every possible work surface; and much of the available floor space had been given over to books of every shape, size and age. Only a small drinks’ cabinet next to the window (which appeared to be showing the time-space vortex) remained uncovered. The mustiness had hit Martha like a brick wall - wherever they were, it had obviously been abandoned for a significant amount of time.
“This is a TARDIS.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“In serious disrepair, I doubt it’ll ever fly again.” Romana had immediately inspected the drinks’ cabinet. “But it still exists, which is incredible in itself.”
“And you’re right about…”
“Unless it was stolen off him, I know the owner,” She paused for a gleeful smile and extracted a book from the bottom of a pile. “‘Gallifreyan Fairytales: The (almost) Complete Collection’. Oh there are some good stories in this. I had a newer edition as a Time Tot.”
The Doctor frowned as he realised that the women had been missing for some considerable time. He was innately aware that they had left the TARDIS - his TARDIS - but he hadn’t heard them leave. Cursing slightly, he opened the doors and exited himself. No matter when he met them, or where they came from, they never learned to stick close to him. Always, without fail, wandered off. He had a feeling, that from his opinion at any rate, these two were going to have a very bad affect on one another. With these two women about, all of time and space suddenly felt rather crowded.
“It looks like rocks held together with lava.”
Martha was staring out at the creature that had them cornered in this room, which was apparently a TARDIS, although she was still somewhat sceptical. Having found herself trapped with books, a lot of which were from Gallifrey, Romana had immediately immersed herself in the literature surrounding her, leaving Martha warily observing the being outside. It didn’t seem all that willing to move on, perfectly happy to nose around in front of the door - maybe it was hoping that it’s prey would return soon? It looked like it was quite capable of demolishing her with one swing of it’s fist, making her rather relieved there was a door between them. Even if it was only made of wood.
“What?” Romana lifted her head from the Gallifreyan fairytale she had been reading to look at Martha, who was cowering by the door.
“The… thing,” She gasped. “Lava, rocks.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Where’s it from? Is it a native to Shada?”
“Shada was inhospitable before the Time Lords built their prison here,” Romana replied. “They were created by a scientist called Skagra. I’m surprised there’s one here, actually.”
The Doctor wandered aimlessly through the Prison Planet’s corridors once again. Past empty cell after empty cell, to no avail. It bemused him as to why they would want to go walking off into this desolate place again at all. Why, you could get lost for weeks on Shada now and no one would know where to start looking for you. If everything was in full working order, however, you would have been killed, or at least imprisoned. At least he knew they were alive, somewhere. Even if once he found them again, Romana would probably just start shouting again and Martha would hopelessly try and calm things down and inadvertently make things worse. Again.
“Its not going away,” Martha hissed.
“It wont.” Romana looked up, unconcerned. “It knows we’re in here.”
“But why isn’t it getting bored? Looking for other prey?”
“Its been here even longer than I have. And a hundred or so years more. We’re the most interesting thing to happen in over 4000 years and…”
“So you’re now?”
“Actually or philosophically?”
“Both.”
“Well.” Romana rolled her eyes. “Actually something like, I don’t know, 4732. I feel more like 718.”
“Were you 718 when you got put…”
“Yes,” She snapped, closing her book abruptly, as if for emphasis.
“Sorry,” Martha mumbled. “But the thing…”
“Krag,” Romana corrected.
“Krag, you were saying?”
“They have a composite mind. Of geniuses. And the Doctor’s. It may look like an idiotic lumbering amalgamation of rock, but it’s intelligent. And with over 4000 years to brew, I’m guessing it’s probably gained control of itself and only became more so.”
“Right.”
“I suggest reading a book to pass the time.” Romana threw her the book she had been reading and promptly immersed herself in another.
It was times like this that the Doctor wished he had bothered to build himself another K9. Then at least it would be able to trace Martha and Romana instead of having him wandering on a wild goose chase. Even more useful right now would be the K9 he had given Romana when she had left him. Then, at least, it would not only have built in bio data of his Mistress, but also be familiar with Shada, having visited with them once before. Maybe, once he had eventually found them, he would be able to persuade Romana to help him build another. She must miss him too. Besides, she had a more sound technical knowledge than he did.
“Ah,” The Doctor could only manage, stepping backwards warily. “Many things about this are not good.”
He backed slowly away from the approaching Krag. Which seemed intent on killing him and had pretty much cornered him now…
Part Six
Author: tromana
Rating: T
Characters: Tenth Doctor, Martha, Another Character
Spoilers: General Series 3 and the Audiobook / Webcast ‘Shada’
Summary: On the way to celebratory meal on Barcelona, the TARDIS is pulled off-course to Shada. Surely the Time Lord’s prison planet should have died with them?
Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who. Still. I've got some DVDs though...
Notes: I really don't like this part Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four
Part Five
“You seem to know where you’re heading?”
“I think I know who we’re looking for.”
“You’ve been here before then?” Martha stopped. “I mean before they imprisoned you.”
“I know what you meant. And yes, with the Doctor, in his eighth form. This is the third regeneration I’ve seen him in now. He should be more careful.”
“So that’s at least his ninth body? How many times have you regenerated? Is there a limit?”
Martha hadn’t meant to spurt out so many questions in such a short space of time; and wasn’t sure whether it was considered rude or not to ask about how many times a Time Lord had regenerated but it was a bit late now. Besides, it was something to fill the silence; and she had a feeling that Romana would not be particularly forthcoming with details of who they were looking for. Even if she was, it would make no difference to her if they were ‘good’ - she didn’t know them. If they were another Time Lord of the same ilk of the Master, however, that was something that would just worry her.
“In order of your questions, yes, but possibly even later. Just the once and yes, 12. Well, when the planet still existed. Who knows now?”
“Did it hurt?”
“What? My regeneration?”
“Um, yes. Sorry if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“No. I induced it. Would have been rather less pleasant if it was out of my control, I’ve been lead to believe.”
Romana smiled altogether too brightly for someone talking about what the Doctor had described as the Time Lord method of ‘avoiding death’. She raised a hand to silence Martha, listening carefully. In the distance there were footsteps, growing gradually louder. A heavy swagger immediately identified them as not belonging to the Doctor. A low guttural growl echoed down the corridor and nearly caused Martha to jump out of her skin. Romana, however, managed to remain somewhat calmer, grabbed her by the arm and dragged her through a wooden door which looked totally out of place.
“You know, I really think I’m right, Martha.”
“Where are we?”
The room which they were sheltering in seemed to resemble a rather spacious office. Only every possible work surface; and much of the available floor space had been given over to books of every shape, size and age. Only a small drinks’ cabinet next to the window (which appeared to be showing the time-space vortex) remained uncovered. The mustiness had hit Martha like a brick wall - wherever they were, it had obviously been abandoned for a significant amount of time.
“This is a TARDIS.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“In serious disrepair, I doubt it’ll ever fly again.” Romana had immediately inspected the drinks’ cabinet. “But it still exists, which is incredible in itself.”
“And you’re right about…”
“Unless it was stolen off him, I know the owner,” She paused for a gleeful smile and extracted a book from the bottom of a pile. “‘Gallifreyan Fairytales: The (almost) Complete Collection’. Oh there are some good stories in this. I had a newer edition as a Time Tot.”
The Doctor frowned as he realised that the women had been missing for some considerable time. He was innately aware that they had left the TARDIS - his TARDIS - but he hadn’t heard them leave. Cursing slightly, he opened the doors and exited himself. No matter when he met them, or where they came from, they never learned to stick close to him. Always, without fail, wandered off. He had a feeling, that from his opinion at any rate, these two were going to have a very bad affect on one another. With these two women about, all of time and space suddenly felt rather crowded.
“It looks like rocks held together with lava.”
Martha was staring out at the creature that had them cornered in this room, which was apparently a TARDIS, although she was still somewhat sceptical. Having found herself trapped with books, a lot of which were from Gallifrey, Romana had immediately immersed herself in the literature surrounding her, leaving Martha warily observing the being outside. It didn’t seem all that willing to move on, perfectly happy to nose around in front of the door - maybe it was hoping that it’s prey would return soon? It looked like it was quite capable of demolishing her with one swing of it’s fist, making her rather relieved there was a door between them. Even if it was only made of wood.
“What?” Romana lifted her head from the Gallifreyan fairytale she had been reading to look at Martha, who was cowering by the door.
“The… thing,” She gasped. “Lava, rocks.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Where’s it from? Is it a native to Shada?”
“Shada was inhospitable before the Time Lords built their prison here,” Romana replied. “They were created by a scientist called Skagra. I’m surprised there’s one here, actually.”
The Doctor wandered aimlessly through the Prison Planet’s corridors once again. Past empty cell after empty cell, to no avail. It bemused him as to why they would want to go walking off into this desolate place again at all. Why, you could get lost for weeks on Shada now and no one would know where to start looking for you. If everything was in full working order, however, you would have been killed, or at least imprisoned. At least he knew they were alive, somewhere. Even if once he found them again, Romana would probably just start shouting again and Martha would hopelessly try and calm things down and inadvertently make things worse. Again.
“Its not going away,” Martha hissed.
“It wont.” Romana looked up, unconcerned. “It knows we’re in here.”
“But why isn’t it getting bored? Looking for other prey?”
“Its been here even longer than I have. And a hundred or so years more. We’re the most interesting thing to happen in over 4000 years and…”
“So you’re now?”
“Actually or philosophically?”
“Both.”
“Well.” Romana rolled her eyes. “Actually something like, I don’t know, 4732. I feel more like 718.”
“Were you 718 when you got put…”
“Yes,” She snapped, closing her book abruptly, as if for emphasis.
“Sorry,” Martha mumbled. “But the thing…”
“Krag,” Romana corrected.
“Krag, you were saying?”
“They have a composite mind. Of geniuses. And the Doctor’s. It may look like an idiotic lumbering amalgamation of rock, but it’s intelligent. And with over 4000 years to brew, I’m guessing it’s probably gained control of itself and only became more so.”
“Right.”
“I suggest reading a book to pass the time.” Romana threw her the book she had been reading and promptly immersed herself in another.
It was times like this that the Doctor wished he had bothered to build himself another K9. Then at least it would be able to trace Martha and Romana instead of having him wandering on a wild goose chase. Even more useful right now would be the K9 he had given Romana when she had left him. Then, at least, it would not only have built in bio data of his Mistress, but also be familiar with Shada, having visited with them once before. Maybe, once he had eventually found them, he would be able to persuade Romana to help him build another. She must miss him too. Besides, she had a more sound technical knowledge than he did.
“Ah,” The Doctor could only manage, stepping backwards warily. “Many things about this are not good.”
He backed slowly away from the approaching Krag. Which seemed intent on killing him and had pretty much cornered him now…
Part Six