Constant Vigilance #5: Friday the 10th, Morning. A Classroom.
The Doctor sits precarious on top of the projector-covered desk, his legs dangling over the edge, barely not knocking into anything vital for the electrical equipment. After everyone gathers, he clears his throat.
"I've been doing a lot of teaching you about various alien species, both friendly and non. But as some of you remember, there's nothing like your own kind to really get you into the worst situations. Really, you run into aliens every so often. It's the people that surround you that should possibly worry you the most."
He patted the projector with a hand. "I won't be needing this today. Today I'll tell you a story of one of my own kind, and a couple of yours. Fellows and ladies who are not the kind you bring home to mother, or really want to meet in a dark alley, either."
He hopped off the desk. "I had a friend at the academy, on Gallifrey. Best of friends, really. We had some of the same ideals. Both of us would end of going rogue, leaving the planet, going our seperate ways. I went with a mission to do good in the universe. He, however, felt the universe was out there only for his own good. Just like I am simply 'The Doctor', my old friend is simply 'The Master'. Pompous, certainly, but quite accurate given his working relationship with anyone is very much a master-slave dichotomy."
"I could tell you any number of times where the Master was trying to take control of the universe, or individual planets, or lorded himself over any number of smaller things. He once almost caused the Earth to be turned literally inside out, all just to try and prolong his own life. He's done lots and lots of horrible things, and I've stopped him more times than I can count. I put together a bit of reading, if you're very interested. And I'll answer questions about him, as well. I know I didn't get really specific, but I hope you got the idea."
"As for humans, well, you're lot is special, it is. Salamander, a scientist who tried to take over the world with earthquake causing satellites is just one example. The self proclaimed last human, a woman named Cassandra, well. . . let's just say she wasn't nice. And really wasn't all that human, really. Mehendri Solon continues the trend of severely misguided scientists, and, well, I could go on and on."
"Now, I'm sure you're wondering what the real lesson here is. What's the beef, what's going on, what exactly are you supposed to walk away from the class today knowing. It's simple, really. Learn to look at each other. Just because there's an alien standing two feet in front of you, that doesn't mean it is the one who's most dangerous in this situation. Say you've made a huge discovery, a new planet, a new race of intelligent people found, friendly, the whole lot. Your second in command wants to take all the credit, and starts plotting to kill you and steal the glory. Trust people, but make sure they're trustworthy. Be friends, and really get to know one another. Good friends don't doublecross one another. Good friends stick together. Good friends are the greatest thing in this universe."
"So that's the activity for today, in fact. Get to know one another. Simple, really. One of you asks a question, then you both have to answer that question. Then the other person asks a question. Simple, and easy. Tell the truth, and don't pry too hard, please. And try and group up with someone you'd like to know better, and don't already know well. Got it? Good. And I'll be happy to play along with anyone who wants to do so with me. No assignment this week, and I'll have reports back for everyone on what you handed in last week with me next week, promise."
[ooc: Wait for OCD, please Ready to go for you!]
"I've been doing a lot of teaching you about various alien species, both friendly and non. But as some of you remember, there's nothing like your own kind to really get you into the worst situations. Really, you run into aliens every so often. It's the people that surround you that should possibly worry you the most."
He patted the projector with a hand. "I won't be needing this today. Today I'll tell you a story of one of my own kind, and a couple of yours. Fellows and ladies who are not the kind you bring home to mother, or really want to meet in a dark alley, either."
He hopped off the desk. "I had a friend at the academy, on Gallifrey. Best of friends, really. We had some of the same ideals. Both of us would end of going rogue, leaving the planet, going our seperate ways. I went with a mission to do good in the universe. He, however, felt the universe was out there only for his own good. Just like I am simply 'The Doctor', my old friend is simply 'The Master'. Pompous, certainly, but quite accurate given his working relationship with anyone is very much a master-slave dichotomy."
"I could tell you any number of times where the Master was trying to take control of the universe, or individual planets, or lorded himself over any number of smaller things. He once almost caused the Earth to be turned literally inside out, all just to try and prolong his own life. He's done lots and lots of horrible things, and I've stopped him more times than I can count. I put together a bit of reading, if you're very interested. And I'll answer questions about him, as well. I know I didn't get really specific, but I hope you got the idea."
"As for humans, well, you're lot is special, it is. Salamander, a scientist who tried to take over the world with earthquake causing satellites is just one example. The self proclaimed last human, a woman named Cassandra, well. . . let's just say she wasn't nice. And really wasn't all that human, really. Mehendri Solon continues the trend of severely misguided scientists, and, well, I could go on and on."
"Now, I'm sure you're wondering what the real lesson here is. What's the beef, what's going on, what exactly are you supposed to walk away from the class today knowing. It's simple, really. Learn to look at each other. Just because there's an alien standing two feet in front of you, that doesn't mean it is the one who's most dangerous in this situation. Say you've made a huge discovery, a new planet, a new race of intelligent people found, friendly, the whole lot. Your second in command wants to take all the credit, and starts plotting to kill you and steal the glory. Trust people, but make sure they're trustworthy. Be friends, and really get to know one another. Good friends don't doublecross one another. Good friends stick together. Good friends are the greatest thing in this universe."
"So that's the activity for today, in fact. Get to know one another. Simple, really. One of you asks a question, then you both have to answer that question. Then the other person asks a question. Simple, and easy. Tell the truth, and don't pry too hard, please. And try and group up with someone you'd like to know better, and don't already know well. Got it? Good. And I'll be happy to play along with anyone who wants to do so with me. No assignment this week, and I'll have reports back for everyone on what you handed in last week with me next week, promise."
[ooc: Wait for OCD, please Ready to go for you!]