Fic: On Her Lady President's Secret Service (1/2)
On Her Lady President's Secret Service
Doctor Who, Gallifrey BFAs
Rating: PG
(character injury, mentions of torture)
Characters: Narvin, Leela, Torvald, K-9, Romana, Braxiatel.
Wordcount: 13,000ish, separated into two posts
Summary: Narvin and Leela tracking down spies in the Citadel. And also fighting with people. And fighting with each other. And having discussions about CIA training methods. But they also track down spies.
A/N: Takes place sometime during Series One of the Gallifrey BFAs, sort of. Maybe an AU Series One where there was more time in between episodes. Betaed by Elijah, who doesn't have an LJ and who thinks maybe Monans are blue? But he corrected the typos and Leela's voice, and we couldn't find any descriptions of the Monans, so. Thanks, EJ! Edit: Now with slightly more accurate descriptions of the Monans.
"I can't believe that Romana is actually allowing this," said Narvin. He folded his arms and stared at the bustling workers. New construction was almost unheard of on Gallifrey, especially within the Citadel. But the work in itself was only a minor transgression of custom. What was worse was what they were building.
"It was Romana's idea," said Leela. "A place where leaders from every world and star could come to speak with her."
"An embassy," agreed Narvin. "Can you imagine what a nightmare it's going to be? What's wrong with holding conferences on space stations? They're so much easier to secure."
"You are worried about keeping visitors safe?" asked Leela.
"Partly," said Narvin. "But mostly I'm worried about keeping Gallifrey safe from visitors."
"I see," said Leela. "You are being," she concentrated, "isolationist again."
"Been hitting the dictionaries, Leela?" Narvin pushed himself off the wall and began to walk away from the construction.
"Braxiatel gave me that word," corrected Leela. "He said it was more polite than calling people such as you stupid and selfish."
"Well, I'll make sure to thank him," said Narvin. "Though I doubt politeness is really your thing." He would thank Brax, too. He smirked slightly as he imagined Brax's mollified and incredulous blank stare. It wasn't much, admittedly, but you had to get your little pleasures where you could.
Narvin was so involved in this image that he nearly ran into the tall blue man hurrying past him.
"Watch out!" said Leela, too late. Narvin managed to catch himself just in time, but the tall man barreled into him anyway and they both tripped to the ground.
"Most sincere apologies," mumbled the tall man, picking papers up off the ground.
"My fault entirely," said Narvin, convinced that it wasn't. "Here, let me help you... your Excellency." The tall man had looked up and Narvin recognized him.
"Yes, yes, thank you, goodbye." The tall man hurried off again, starting straight from a crouch. Apparently he was in too much of a rush to even stand up properly.
"Who was that?" asked Leela. "You know him?"
"Not personally," said Narvin. "He's a member of the Monan Host's delegation. They're set to be the first temporal power to use the embassy. He didn't recognize me, anyway, which is a little odd. Perhaps we all look alike to them."
"He did not pick up all his papers," said Leela. "Look." She pointed at a scrap fluttering near Narvin's shoe.
"I must have landed on it or something," said Narvin. "I suppose I'll have to track him down, now." He picked up the paper and unfolded it, idly. His eyes widened. "Rassilon, look at this. You can read, can't you?"
"Of course I can." Leela snatched the paper from him. Her lips moved as she read, but she reached the same conclusion as Narvin had soon enough. "Romana will have to be told!"
"Yes," said Narvin, grimly. "I knew this embassy was a bad idea."
---
Romana read the note as Braxiatel looked over her shoulder. Narvin shifted from foot to foot and stared at the carpet in the office.
"And you think this means?" Romana said, not looking up.
"Obviously it is part of a secret plot within the Monan Host," said Narvin. "I suggest an immediate investigation."
"Narvin, all the note says is 'Matrix data, meet at docking bay tonight." It could mean anything."
"My Lady President, how can it mean anything but a plan to steal entry into the Matrix?" Narvin couldn't believe it. It was right in front of her eyes.
"Admittedly that's what it looks like," said Romana, "but negotiations with the Monan Host are at a very delicate point. If I allow them to be toppled by an overzealous, xenophobic-"
"Narvin is right to be concerned, Lady President," broke in Brax. "But you are also right to be worried about the perceived image of the CIA. Perhaps you should compromise?"
"How so?" asked Romana.
"Leela can investigate. She was also there when the note was dropped, and is perfectly capable of conducting a covert operation."
"Yes," said Leela. "I will go find K-9 and together we will lie in wait at the docking bay."
"Very well," said Romana. "You can hardly be accused of xenophobia. But I want Narvin to stay well clear of this investigation, is that understood?"
"Lady President, this is absurd," argued Narvin. "How can I do my job if I am not allowed to follow up on threats to security?"
"You'll just have to do other parts of your job," said Romana. "Surely you have some paperwork to sign?"
"Give up, there's a good man," said Braxiatel. "Go 'interrogate' some prisoners or something."
Someday Narvin was going to strangle one or both of his superiors, loyalty be damned. Unfortunately today was not the day. He walked out of the President's office with his hands clasped behind his back and his head held high.
"I am sorry," said Leela, once they were out in the hall. "I promise I will find your thieves for you."
"Of course you will," said Narvin, condescendingly. "I just hope you do so before they make off with all our secrets."
Narvin strode off, toward his office, fists clenched.
---
Leela watched Narvin walk away and then concerned herself with finding K-9. The dog had said he was going to be working in the main laboratory today, which was just down the hall. Leela padded down it quietly and pushed the door to the laboratory open.
"K-9? Are you in here?"
"Affirmative, Mistress." K-9 wagged his tail briefly and continued manipulating one of the computers. "Do you require assistance?"
"Romana has given us a new mission," said Leela. "We are to discover the purpose of this note."
She laid the note down in front of K-9 so that he could read it.
"Scanning... purpose of note appears to be theft of Matrix records."
"All is not always what it seems," said Leela. Everything was straightforward enough, but she did not trust anything on Gallifrey to be so simple. "Come, we must go to the docking bay and lie in wait."
"Affirmative, Mistress." K-9 decoupled from the computer and followed Leela out.
---
In his office, Narvin read an operative's report. Once he'd finished, he wrote down some questions in a terse note, signed it, sealed it in an envelope, and then threw his pen against the wall. The slight noise and smear of ink on the white plane of the wall gave him some satisfaction, but not enough. He pulled another pen from a drawer and did it again.
"Coordinator? Are you alright?" Torvald called through the door.
"Perfectly," said Narvin. He set down the third pen he'd just been about to chuck. Instead, he got up and opened the door.
"Here, send this reply along." He handed Torvald the envelope. "And get me a list of all the personnel from the Monan Host delegation."
"Of course, sir," said Torvald.
Twenty minutes later, armed with a file of dossiers, Narvin was on the trail. Romana wouldn't be able to punish him for disobeying orders if he produced results. Well, she could, but it wouldn't be politic. Narvin smiled thinly and made his way to the docks.
---
The docking bay was always interesting. There weren't very many off-world ships, but the TARDISes flying in and out always carried new scents and sometimes even flecks of the alien ground in which they had landed. Leela occupied herself with trying to determine where each ship had come from while she and K-9 waited.
She only recognized a few scents, and each strange one was like an invitation to explore. But she was trapped on Gallifrey now, with no husband or Doctor to keep her company or give her a way out. Perhaps if she conducted this investigation successfully Romana would allow her to leave, if only for a short time.
"Mistress?"
"Yes, K-9? What is it?" Leela looked around, but did not see anything. Sometimes K-9's sensors were sharper than her eyes. "Have you found those who are meeting here?"
"Negative." K-9's lights blinked in apology. "I wish to enquire if it would be better for us to split up."
"There is strength in numbers, K-9," warned Leela. Something bad had always happened whenever she had left the Doctor alone.
"Affirmative," chirped K-9. "However, this is a reconnaissance mission. I believe it would be more effective if I observed the docking bay from a higher level while you remained here, Mistress."
"We would see more of the ground," said Leela. She considered it. "Very well. If I see these people, I will follow them and hear what they say. If you see them, you must return here and tell me where they are. You are not built for stealth, K-9."
"Affirmative." K-9 wheeled away, toward the elevator. Leela watched him go, and then settled in to wait some more.
A few minutes later, she heard soft steps behind her, the steps of someone trying not to be heard. Leela started up out of her crouch immediately, pulling her blade out as she went.
Narvin held himself completely still as Leela's knife pressed lightly against his throat.
"Do you greet every random passer-by in this way?" asked Narvin casually. He didn't even flinch when his Adam's apple moved again the edge of the knife, noted Leela with mixed admiration and annoyance.
"Only when I am acting on Romana's orders," she said, sheathing her knife. "And someone is trying to sneak up on me."
"I only meant not to spoil your cover," said Narvin. He brought his hand toward his throat and then away. "I suppose you've done that now anyway."
"Why are you here?" asked Leela, ignoring Narvin's words. "You are meant to stay away from this - I am to take care of the thieves."
"It occurred to me that you don't know who you're looking for." Narvin took a stack of folders from under his arm. "I have all of the available images of the delegation with me."
"You are trying to make me believe that it must be the Monans," said Leela, warily. It was not good to come into a hunt when you were already certain of what you would find.
"Of course not," said Narvin. He smiled slightly, as if a wider smile might crack his face in half. "But it was a member of their delegation who dropped the note. It would be good to know what all of the Monans looked like, wouldn't it?"
"Yes," said Leela. She was reluctant to drop her guard, but more information was always helpful.
"Excellent," said Narvin, and handed the stack of folders to Leela, who took them in both arms. "I'll just keep watch while you look through those."
Leela looked at him hard, but she trusted the Coordinator to do his duty, at the very least. He would not try to trick her in this way. She began to sift through the files, memorizing each face and name that came up.
A faint sound filtered through from the upper levels. Leela looked up, trying to place the noise. Her eyes widened as it came again.
"That was K-9's laser! He is in trouble!" She dropped the files and ran to the stairs. They would be quicker than the elevator, and she must help K-9 as soon as possible. She was dimly aware of Narvin gathering up the files behind her, but it did not matter.
She took the stairs two at a time, drawing her knife as she went and turning it so its blunt edge was braced against her forearm. Soon she was on top of the landing where K-9 had been stationed.
He was not there. No one was there. All that remained of the fight that must have happened was a pair of laser burns on the back wall.
Narvin caught up at last, huffing. "Well?"
"They are gone." Leela sheathed her knife again, and crouched to the ground. "I will track them and get K-9 back."
Narvin did not respond. When Leela looked up, she saw that he was gazing out at the docking bay, apparently fascinated by something.
"What is it?"
"I can see one of the ambassadors of the Monan Host," said Narvin. He pointed, and Leela followed his finger to where a tall woman was talking to a man in Gallifreyan robes. Her thoughts went back to the files.
"That is Melinna, yes? Why is she in the docking bay?"
"There's no reason for her presence," said Narvin, triumphantly. "The Host's ship is in a special bay. She must have come for the Matrix information."
"It is possible," agreed Leela. She bit at her lip. She had to find K-9, but it was her duty to find out what was happening with Melinna.
"I can follow her," said Narvin, as if sensing Leela's thoughts. "You go after your little robot friend."
"Romana said you were not to do anything about the Monans," said Leela, slowly. But it was a good idea.
"She meant I couldn't lead the investigation," said Narvin, smiling in that tight fashion again. Leela supposed he was trying to be charming. "Why don't you just deputize me? I'm here, you need an extra hand..." Narvin rummaged in his pockets and produced a small machine. "Here. It's a communicator. Call as soon as you rescue K-9 and I'll tell you my position."
Leela took the communicator and nodded before padding off on the trail. Sometimes you had to take help even from those you had been told to scorn. K-9 needed her.
---
Left to his own devices, Narvin ran down the steps, slowing as he approached a guard who was fiddling with her datapad. He handed the files about the Monan Host to the woman, along with curt instructions to make sure they were delivered to the CIA headquarters. He couldn't risk leaving them around, even if they contained no confidential information. Then he was on the move again, working his way through the landing pads and docked ships to where he had seen Melinna.
As he neared, he ducked behind a landed TARDIS that was in the shape of tall primitive computer bank and effectively shielded him from view. If he was lucky, he could catch some of the conversation.
He felt his cheeks straining with a hard grin. It had been a long time since he'd gone out in the field against the wishes of his superiors. He'd have to do this more often.
"That's all you have for me?" asked Melinna. Her tone was a little impatient, but otherwise she sounded untroubled. Probably an old hand at covert operations.
"That's all I was told to find out," said her companion, shifting uneasily. Narvin risked a glance around the corner of the TARDIS in order to get a closer look at the pair.
He didn't recognize the man, but he was definitely Gallifreyan. Narvin noted his sandy hair and bulky frame for later prosecution. Being involved in selling state secrets was punishable by more than a slap on the wrist, even if they had abolished dematerialisation these days.
Melinna herself was simply the standard sort of highly polished diplomat, though with an air of calm that went past the normal tense and forced serenity of the average. Narvin followed the graceful curve of her arms as she passed a data chip to the man, taking his hand in all four of her own.
"You've done well," she said. "We'll be in touch."
The man touched his collar nervously, as if he wasn't excited about the prospect. Narvin suspected he was being pressured into this by someone else. Obviously the treason hadn't been his idea.
Melinna glided away, and the man hurried away, looking back every few steps, as if worried she would come back. Narvin considered cornering him, but decided Melinna was far more important. After a moment he followed her, careful to stay far enough back that she wouldn't spot him easily.
---
Leela followed the trail carefully, pausing every once and a while to make sure she was on the right track. K-9 had left scorch marks for a short time as he fought his captor, but those soon faded. Leela hoped that K-9's weapons had simply been taken away. She would be very upset if he had come to harm.
Even with the blaster marks gone, the trail was still easy enough to mark. Narvin was right about one thing - whoever had taken K-9 was from the Monan Host delegation. The scent was unmistakable, and when it became lost in the streets of the citadel, Leela followed a hunch and headed toward the embassy.
She was nearly there when she was stopped by someone shouting her name.
"Leela! Leela, wait a moment!" Torvald jogged up, his hand hovering as if to catch her by the arm. Leela tensed and Torvald thought better of it.
"I do not have time to talk," said Leela, shortly. "I am busy."
"This won't take long," said Torvald. He was smiling in the way Leela didn't like, the way which seemed too knowing. "I just wanted to warn you."
"Warn me? About what?" Leela kept walking as they talked. She did not wish to lead Torvald to the embassy, but she could not stand around and risk K-9.
"Narvin," said Torvald, following. "He's going to try and take over your investigation. He's got his own agenda, trying to tie it in with the Monan Host."
"I have already," Leela hesitated, "'deputized' Narvin. He is working under my instructions."
"You can't have," said Torvald. His knowing smirk faded, replaced by a scowl. "Lady Romana must be informed. Narvin's xenophobia-"
"Narvin was right about the Monan Host, whatever his isolationist beliefs," continued Leela. She didn't bother to raise her voice. "Someone has taken K-9, and an ambassador from the embassy was seen speaking with a guard at the docking bay."
"He's gotten to you, hasn't he.” Torvald’s strides as he kept pace with Leela became sharp and jerky. “I can't believe you, of all people, would be tricked into furthering Narvin's prejudiced ideals."
"I have not been tricked," said Leela, annoyed. "Things have happened which cannot be ignored. There is no bias in the truth. Now, be quiet." She held up a hand to halt protest. "I am busy, as I have told you."
Leela knelt to the ground, conscious of Torvald standing over her. The trail was diverging from her guessed path, moving away from the nearly-constructed embassy and toward a set of housing units nearby. K-9 must be being held in someone's living quarters, perhaps the temporary ones assigned to the Monans. Leela straightened up.
"Where are we going?" asked Torvald. He showed no sign of leaving, despite Leela’s attempts to rid herself of him.
"I am going to find K-9. I do not know where you are going." Leela didn't bother to look at Torvald, but kept her eyes on the ground, willing another sign of K-9 to appear.
"With you. Someone has to be the independent observer."
"You are not independent," said Leela, not bothering to try and hide her stare now. "You are an agent of the CIA, a subordinate of Narvin's. You do not seem loyal as you should be, but you are no less his man."
"We'll see about that," muttered Torvald. "Do you want my help or should I just back off and watch from afar?"
"You may come if you are useful," allowed Leela. "But if you try anything, my knife shall taste your throat."
"Mhm." Torvald smiled again, and Leela shivered. It was lucky for him that she did not use her knife on those who simply unnerved her.
---
Narvin had trailed Melinna all the way back to the embassy, but now he paused. The area she had gone into was finished and designated as offices. For him to enter so soon after her deal would be suspicious. Even if Melinna thought it was a coincidence, she would be cagey and nervous, likely to ask Romana to call him off. That would result in Romana finding out that he had become involved despite her orders. That confrontation, Narvin thought, was better to put off until he had something to show for his disobedience.
On the other hand, standing around in the plaza in front of the embassy wasn't doing any good at all. Narvin walked inside.
"I'd like to speak with Ambassador Melinna," he said to the secretary. He, in turn, blinked at Narvin sleepily and typed something into a keypad. It beeped, and the Monan nodded.
"She says to go in. Third door on the left."
Narvin followed the directions, amused and annoyed at the lack of security. Anyone visiting the CIA offices would have been escorted, to ensure they didn't wander into the wrong area, accidentally or on purpose.
Narvin stood just out of sight of the secretary, considering whether he really needed to confront the ambassador. Surely there was something in this building worth sneaking a glance at.
The decision was taken out of his hands when Melinna herself emerged from her office. She smiled, and Narvin twitched a little as the atmosphere became warm and welcoming. Melinna was apparently projecting some telepathic energy that trespassed into Narvin's brain.
"Coordinator Narvin! What a pleasure."
"Ambassador Melinna," said Narvin. He inclined his head and stepped out to meet her. The energy was a clever diplomatic trick, and he was starting to feel more at ease despite himself. "I would like to speak with you privately, perhaps in your office?" Rather than wait for a response, he just pushed past her. Melinna swiveled and followed.
"Of course, of course." She swept in as Narvin opened the door and then waved at him to close it. "What can I do for you?"
Narvin sat down in the high-backed chair provided for guests, and then raised his eyebrows, waiting for Melinna to seat herself in turn. She did so, smiling wider to cover her annoyance at being preempted again.
"The CIA has been given information about a possible attempt to steal Matrix records. Some members of your embassy have been implicated." It wouldn't be good to give too much away. Narvin just wanted to see how she'd react, whether she'd be put on her guard or startled into making a mistake.
"Really?" Melinna bit her lip, projecting confusion. "How terrible."
"Yes," said Narvin, dryly. "Can I expect your cooperation in this matter, Excellency?"
"But of course!" Melinna spread three of her hands out on the table, palms down, and raised the remaining one to pat her hair. "But do call me Melinna."
Narvin looked at her warily. This was not at all how he had expected this interview to go. Melinna was completely unflustered, as if she were ignorant of the matter altogether. That was impossible, given what he'd seen at the docking bay. The other two explanations for Melinna's behavior were that she was stupid, which was unlikely, or she had a plan, which was worrying.
"Melinna," he said. "You must understand that if we discover anything, it could result in the offending staff being forcibly expelled from Gallifrey."
Instead of being shaken by the threat, Melinna just nodded and stood up, circling around to lean on her desk. Narvin stood up in turn, not wanting to be in a subordinate position.
"I understand completely," she said, huskily. "We'll deal with that in a moment."
"What could be more important than charges of espionage?" asked Narvin. This was bizarre.
"Matters of the heart!" said Melinna. She pressed two hands against her breast.
Narvin stared at her, completely nonplussed.
---
Leela and Torvald stood outside the apartment building. The trail had ended, and K-9 must be somewhere in there.
"We should go in and search every room," said Leela. "K-9 will be found."
"No," argued Torvald. "That would alert the kidnapper unless we were lucky enough to find him first."
"What should we do, then? Wait for K-9 to be torn apart? Run to Romana, as you wished to before, and let K-9 be taken somewhere else?"
"There must be something we can do," growled Torvald. "Don't reduce this to your way or the wrong way."
"You still give me no other choices," said Leela. "What use are you?"
"Look, why don't we just wait for a moment?" Torvald shrugged. "Maybe the kidnapper will come out. He must have taken K-9 for a reason."
"That would make sense," agreed Leela. "If he leaves, there will be signs that he held K-9 - scorch marks, or rust from K-9's underbelly."
"Rust? Your Doctor didn't use very good materials, did he?"
"But if we wait and he destroys K-9, then we will have done nothing," continued Leela. Only the twitch of her hand toward her knife showed that she had heard Torvald's insult.
"It's a risk," said Torvald. "But one I think we have to take. Come on, we can hide around that corner."
Leela followed, reluctantly, and settled into a crouch behind a shade of small trees. It was easy to lapse into the old habit of stalking and lying in wait, despite the foreign presence of Torvald. He was a hunter as well, and so not much of a distraction. He knew enough to be able to breathe quietly and not fidget.
"Why are you working with Narvin?"
Apparently he was still willing to talk. Leela shook her head.
"I'm being quiet," said Torvald. "Anyway, we're on official business, and you have a knife. We can deal with anyone who spots us."
"It is better to stay hidden than to be found out," said Leela. But by speaking she had agreed to listen to Torvald, and he started up again.
"Narvin looks down on you, you know. He thought he could muscle his way in to your investigation because you're not clever enough to keep him out."
"He may think what he likes," said Leela, lightly. "He is being useful. I cannot be in two places at once."
"You could have asked someone else for help," said Torvald. His face was intense when Leela glanced at it, and her eyes lingered a moment before she turned back to keeping watch on the apartment building.
"Who could I trust?" she asked. "Even your guards and office-workers think that I am lower than them. Oh, they will do what I say, but only that. And they will think less of me, that I needed their help."
"Not everyone thinks-" began Torvald, but Leela kept talking, letting the words cleanse the unhappiness from her soul.
"Narvin wears his dislike on his face, in his speech. He does not try to pretend that it is not there. It is not- better," said Leela, hesitating, "but it is more honest. He will do what is needed, and tell me that I am stupid. I do not care."
"Things shouldn't be like that," muttered Torvald.
"I agree," said Leela. She kept her eyes on the apartment. "I should never have come here. There is nothing for me, nothing worth dealing with your people for."
"What about your husband?" asked Torvald.
"He is gone," said Leela. "Keep your mind on the watch."
---
"Exactly what is going on here?" asked Narvin. He felt it important to be clear, because currently it seemed as if Melinna was waving away an important discussion in order to throw herself at him.
"I saw you at the banquet last week," breathed Melinna. Her energy swirled around Narvin, pulling at the hair on his arms and the back of his neck. "I've wanted you ever since."
"Ah," said Narvin. He backed up a little, not even noticing the movement until he bumped into his abandoned chair. "Um."
"I dared to hope that you felt it too," said Melinna, coming closer. "That that was why you had come. Was it? Were these silly accusations of espionage only a ploy?"
"My accusations are never silly," protested Narvin, automatically. "I'm never silly."
"Then it was fate that brought us together," said Melinna, spreading her arms.
"It was your illegal behavior."
"Love is never illegal!"
"I'm extremely uncomfortable with where this conversation is heading," said Narvin. "Can you sit down?"
"Oh, your concern is touching," said Melinna. "In truth, I can hardly stand for my passion."
"That's not what I meant-"
Melinna swooned at him, throwing herself into his arms.
"Please don't do that," said Narvin, his voice a little strangled despite himself. He sidestepped and forced Melinna to stumble and catch herself.
"Come now, Narvin," she said, when she recovered. Her voice was sterner now, more commanding. "I know we can never truly be together, but surely we can make something of the attraction between us?" She made a graceful and obscene gesture with one of her limbs.
"Don't do that either," said Narvin. He covered his eyes with one hand, trying to gather his thoughts. "This is obviously an attempt to distract me from investigating your embassy."
"How could you accuse me of such a thing!" said Melinna. She rubbed at her eyes, sniffing. "Is it so hard to believe that someone could love you solely on your own merits?"
Narvin thought about it. Then he brought the hand away from his eyes, and used it to wave the suggestion away.
"Yes," he said, "it is."
"Damn," said Melinna. "What about casual sex?"
"You are trying to distract me!" said Narvin, stung and a little overloud. He winced at the noise and lowered his voice to its normal even tones. "This is sexual harassment."
"I have immunity from prosecution," said Melinna. "And your president would hardly expel me for such an offense. Anyway, I was told you were chronically undersexed, even for a Time Lord."
"This is insulting to my office and my character," said Narvin. His tone hovered between seriousness and sarcasm. "And it practically proves that you are trying to cover up your complicity in the theft of Matrix records."
"I must sadly agree," said Melinna. "I did hope to make this go away in a pleasant manner, but I suppose I can deal with a less entertaining method." Her energy withdrew from Narvin as she pressed a button and spoke into an intercom on the desk. "G'kar, could you call in Konstan? I have someone for him to deal with."
"Deal with," said Narvin. "You do realize I'm the coordinator of the CIA?"
"Well, yes," said Melinna. "And it was very foolish of you to come here alone."
---
"Someone's leaving," said Torvald. A familiar figure was walking out of the apartment building.
"I had noticed," hissed Leela. "He is the tall man who dropped that paper. He must have taken K-9!" Her hand grabbed for her dagger, and she started up, but Torvald pulled her back by her arm. "Let go of me!"
"Listen," said Torvald. His mouth was set in a grim line, but he showed no fear. "He doesn't have K-9 with him, so he must have left him in his room. We can just go up to the front desk, tell them we're from the CIA, and ask to be shown his room. Simple."
"I suppose," said Leela, slowly. "But I am not done with him. When next we meet he will pay, all the more so if he has hurt K-9."
"Yes, yes, you're very bloodthirsty." Torvald shifted impatiently, and Leela glared at him as they waited for the tall man to get out of sight. Luckily he seemed to be in a hurry, and they were soon out of the bush and inside the building.
"Hello," said Torvald, smiling at the Time Lady at the reception desk. He was probably trying to look friendly, but the expression sat poorly on his face, making him look angry, ill, or both. Leela smiled to herself in turn, confident that it looked well on her.
"How can I help you, sir? ...Madam?"
Leela ignored the woman's stumble over the last word and leaned over the desk as if to share a great secret.
"We are investigating charges of spying and theft made against a man who is staying here. He is tall, with brown hair. Do you know who I am speaking of?"
"Konstan? Of course, but there must be some mistake." The Time Lady's eyes were wide and unsure.
"We have authorization to pursue this matter from the highest authorities," said Torvald. "The Lady President, in fact. We must see this Konstan's rooms."
"I'll need some ID," said the Time Lady, coolly. Now that she was over her shock, she seemed to be falling back on the procedure that had probably been drilled into her.
Leela examined the floor as Torvald produced a CIA badge. The tall man had come through here, and his tracks were evident. One of his boots had had oil on it, the faint traces working backwards into full smears.
"This doesn't look like you."
"I regenerated recently. What do you want, for me to pull up my Matrix records?"
Leela followed the footprints until they left the reception area, going into one of the corridors that led to the living quarters. She glanced back at Torvald, and he nodded slightly, shifting forward to crowd the Time Lady and block Leela from view.
Leela pushed through the doors to the corridor carefully, making no sound. She closed the doors, waited a moment to ensure there was no pursuit, and then broke into a jog, going as fast as she could while still reading the traces.
K-9 was in this building somewhere, and he was bleeding.
---
Narvin wasn't sure whether to try and make a break for it or wait and see what happened. Melinna didn't seem to have a weapon, but it probably wouldn't be easy to get out of the building. On the other hand, if he gambled and stayed, he might never have an opportunity to leave again.
The door opened and closed, and Melinna smiled, her energy turning expectant. Narvin didn't look around, but he supposed this meant Konstan had arrived.
"You sent for me?" Konstan was standing behind Narvin's chair, but his voice floated over Narvin's head, niggling at his memory. Ah. The man who had dropped the papers. Was he an ally, a trap, or just clumsy?
"As you see, the Coordinator here has been asking questions." Melinna waved a careless hand at Narvin. "I'd like you to give him some... 'answers.'"
"I thought you wanted everything kept secret." Narvin looked up at that, certain no one could be so clueless. As expected, Konstan's eyebrows were quirked just a little too quizzically, his eyes just a little too wide.
"I meant slap him around, you dolt!" snapped Melinna. "Find out what exactly he knows, then erase his memory. Kill him if you have to, let regeneration trauma do your work for you. We're too close to have to deal with the authorities."
No love lost there. Narvin's hopes, if you could call them that, rose. With luck, he could play them against each other, cause a rift, and get out in the aftermath. If he just-
His thoughts were interrupted as Konstan dragged him out of his chair by the collar of his robe, forcing him toward the door.
"We'd better get started," said the man. "Can't keep Her Excellency waiting."
Narvin glanced back at Melinna, who was already shuffling through the stacks of documents on her desk.
"I know how it is," he mumbled, confiding. "Busy, busy, and you have to do all her dirty work."
"Yeah," said Konstan, and half-pushed Narvin down a flight of stairs.
On to Part Two!
Doctor Who, Gallifrey BFAs
Rating: PG
(character injury, mentions of torture)
Characters: Narvin, Leela, Torvald, K-9, Romana, Braxiatel.
Wordcount: 13,000ish, separated into two posts
Summary: Narvin and Leela tracking down spies in the Citadel. And also fighting with people. And fighting with each other. And having discussions about CIA training methods. But they also track down spies.
A/N: Takes place sometime during Series One of the Gallifrey BFAs, sort of. Maybe an AU Series One where there was more time in between episodes. Betaed by Elijah, who doesn't have an LJ and who thinks maybe Monans are blue? But he corrected the typos and Leela's voice, and we couldn't find any descriptions of the Monans, so. Thanks, EJ! Edit: Now with slightly more accurate descriptions of the Monans.
"I can't believe that Romana is actually allowing this," said Narvin. He folded his arms and stared at the bustling workers. New construction was almost unheard of on Gallifrey, especially within the Citadel. But the work in itself was only a minor transgression of custom. What was worse was what they were building.
"It was Romana's idea," said Leela. "A place where leaders from every world and star could come to speak with her."
"An embassy," agreed Narvin. "Can you imagine what a nightmare it's going to be? What's wrong with holding conferences on space stations? They're so much easier to secure."
"You are worried about keeping visitors safe?" asked Leela.
"Partly," said Narvin. "But mostly I'm worried about keeping Gallifrey safe from visitors."
"I see," said Leela. "You are being," she concentrated, "isolationist again."
"Been hitting the dictionaries, Leela?" Narvin pushed himself off the wall and began to walk away from the construction.
"Braxiatel gave me that word," corrected Leela. "He said it was more polite than calling people such as you stupid and selfish."
"Well, I'll make sure to thank him," said Narvin. "Though I doubt politeness is really your thing." He would thank Brax, too. He smirked slightly as he imagined Brax's mollified and incredulous blank stare. It wasn't much, admittedly, but you had to get your little pleasures where you could.
Narvin was so involved in this image that he nearly ran into the tall blue man hurrying past him.
"Watch out!" said Leela, too late. Narvin managed to catch himself just in time, but the tall man barreled into him anyway and they both tripped to the ground.
"Most sincere apologies," mumbled the tall man, picking papers up off the ground.
"My fault entirely," said Narvin, convinced that it wasn't. "Here, let me help you... your Excellency." The tall man had looked up and Narvin recognized him.
"Yes, yes, thank you, goodbye." The tall man hurried off again, starting straight from a crouch. Apparently he was in too much of a rush to even stand up properly.
"Who was that?" asked Leela. "You know him?"
"Not personally," said Narvin. "He's a member of the Monan Host's delegation. They're set to be the first temporal power to use the embassy. He didn't recognize me, anyway, which is a little odd. Perhaps we all look alike to them."
"He did not pick up all his papers," said Leela. "Look." She pointed at a scrap fluttering near Narvin's shoe.
"I must have landed on it or something," said Narvin. "I suppose I'll have to track him down, now." He picked up the paper and unfolded it, idly. His eyes widened. "Rassilon, look at this. You can read, can't you?"
"Of course I can." Leela snatched the paper from him. Her lips moved as she read, but she reached the same conclusion as Narvin had soon enough. "Romana will have to be told!"
"Yes," said Narvin, grimly. "I knew this embassy was a bad idea."
---
Romana read the note as Braxiatel looked over her shoulder. Narvin shifted from foot to foot and stared at the carpet in the office.
"And you think this means?" Romana said, not looking up.
"Obviously it is part of a secret plot within the Monan Host," said Narvin. "I suggest an immediate investigation."
"Narvin, all the note says is 'Matrix data, meet at docking bay tonight." It could mean anything."
"My Lady President, how can it mean anything but a plan to steal entry into the Matrix?" Narvin couldn't believe it. It was right in front of her eyes.
"Admittedly that's what it looks like," said Romana, "but negotiations with the Monan Host are at a very delicate point. If I allow them to be toppled by an overzealous, xenophobic-"
"Narvin is right to be concerned, Lady President," broke in Brax. "But you are also right to be worried about the perceived image of the CIA. Perhaps you should compromise?"
"How so?" asked Romana.
"Leela can investigate. She was also there when the note was dropped, and is perfectly capable of conducting a covert operation."
"Yes," said Leela. "I will go find K-9 and together we will lie in wait at the docking bay."
"Very well," said Romana. "You can hardly be accused of xenophobia. But I want Narvin to stay well clear of this investigation, is that understood?"
"Lady President, this is absurd," argued Narvin. "How can I do my job if I am not allowed to follow up on threats to security?"
"You'll just have to do other parts of your job," said Romana. "Surely you have some paperwork to sign?"
"Give up, there's a good man," said Braxiatel. "Go 'interrogate' some prisoners or something."
Someday Narvin was going to strangle one or both of his superiors, loyalty be damned. Unfortunately today was not the day. He walked out of the President's office with his hands clasped behind his back and his head held high.
"I am sorry," said Leela, once they were out in the hall. "I promise I will find your thieves for you."
"Of course you will," said Narvin, condescendingly. "I just hope you do so before they make off with all our secrets."
Narvin strode off, toward his office, fists clenched.
---
Leela watched Narvin walk away and then concerned herself with finding K-9. The dog had said he was going to be working in the main laboratory today, which was just down the hall. Leela padded down it quietly and pushed the door to the laboratory open.
"K-9? Are you in here?"
"Affirmative, Mistress." K-9 wagged his tail briefly and continued manipulating one of the computers. "Do you require assistance?"
"Romana has given us a new mission," said Leela. "We are to discover the purpose of this note."
She laid the note down in front of K-9 so that he could read it.
"Scanning... purpose of note appears to be theft of Matrix records."
"All is not always what it seems," said Leela. Everything was straightforward enough, but she did not trust anything on Gallifrey to be so simple. "Come, we must go to the docking bay and lie in wait."
"Affirmative, Mistress." K-9 decoupled from the computer and followed Leela out.
---
In his office, Narvin read an operative's report. Once he'd finished, he wrote down some questions in a terse note, signed it, sealed it in an envelope, and then threw his pen against the wall. The slight noise and smear of ink on the white plane of the wall gave him some satisfaction, but not enough. He pulled another pen from a drawer and did it again.
"Coordinator? Are you alright?" Torvald called through the door.
"Perfectly," said Narvin. He set down the third pen he'd just been about to chuck. Instead, he got up and opened the door.
"Here, send this reply along." He handed Torvald the envelope. "And get me a list of all the personnel from the Monan Host delegation."
"Of course, sir," said Torvald.
Twenty minutes later, armed with a file of dossiers, Narvin was on the trail. Romana wouldn't be able to punish him for disobeying orders if he produced results. Well, she could, but it wouldn't be politic. Narvin smiled thinly and made his way to the docks.
---
The docking bay was always interesting. There weren't very many off-world ships, but the TARDISes flying in and out always carried new scents and sometimes even flecks of the alien ground in which they had landed. Leela occupied herself with trying to determine where each ship had come from while she and K-9 waited.
She only recognized a few scents, and each strange one was like an invitation to explore. But she was trapped on Gallifrey now, with no husband or Doctor to keep her company or give her a way out. Perhaps if she conducted this investigation successfully Romana would allow her to leave, if only for a short time.
"Mistress?"
"Yes, K-9? What is it?" Leela looked around, but did not see anything. Sometimes K-9's sensors were sharper than her eyes. "Have you found those who are meeting here?"
"Negative." K-9's lights blinked in apology. "I wish to enquire if it would be better for us to split up."
"There is strength in numbers, K-9," warned Leela. Something bad had always happened whenever she had left the Doctor alone.
"Affirmative," chirped K-9. "However, this is a reconnaissance mission. I believe it would be more effective if I observed the docking bay from a higher level while you remained here, Mistress."
"We would see more of the ground," said Leela. She considered it. "Very well. If I see these people, I will follow them and hear what they say. If you see them, you must return here and tell me where they are. You are not built for stealth, K-9."
"Affirmative." K-9 wheeled away, toward the elevator. Leela watched him go, and then settled in to wait some more.
A few minutes later, she heard soft steps behind her, the steps of someone trying not to be heard. Leela started up out of her crouch immediately, pulling her blade out as she went.
Narvin held himself completely still as Leela's knife pressed lightly against his throat.
"Do you greet every random passer-by in this way?" asked Narvin casually. He didn't even flinch when his Adam's apple moved again the edge of the knife, noted Leela with mixed admiration and annoyance.
"Only when I am acting on Romana's orders," she said, sheathing her knife. "And someone is trying to sneak up on me."
"I only meant not to spoil your cover," said Narvin. He brought his hand toward his throat and then away. "I suppose you've done that now anyway."
"Why are you here?" asked Leela, ignoring Narvin's words. "You are meant to stay away from this - I am to take care of the thieves."
"It occurred to me that you don't know who you're looking for." Narvin took a stack of folders from under his arm. "I have all of the available images of the delegation with me."
"You are trying to make me believe that it must be the Monans," said Leela, warily. It was not good to come into a hunt when you were already certain of what you would find.
"Of course not," said Narvin. He smiled slightly, as if a wider smile might crack his face in half. "But it was a member of their delegation who dropped the note. It would be good to know what all of the Monans looked like, wouldn't it?"
"Yes," said Leela. She was reluctant to drop her guard, but more information was always helpful.
"Excellent," said Narvin, and handed the stack of folders to Leela, who took them in both arms. "I'll just keep watch while you look through those."
Leela looked at him hard, but she trusted the Coordinator to do his duty, at the very least. He would not try to trick her in this way. She began to sift through the files, memorizing each face and name that came up.
A faint sound filtered through from the upper levels. Leela looked up, trying to place the noise. Her eyes widened as it came again.
"That was K-9's laser! He is in trouble!" She dropped the files and ran to the stairs. They would be quicker than the elevator, and she must help K-9 as soon as possible. She was dimly aware of Narvin gathering up the files behind her, but it did not matter.
She took the stairs two at a time, drawing her knife as she went and turning it so its blunt edge was braced against her forearm. Soon she was on top of the landing where K-9 had been stationed.
He was not there. No one was there. All that remained of the fight that must have happened was a pair of laser burns on the back wall.
Narvin caught up at last, huffing. "Well?"
"They are gone." Leela sheathed her knife again, and crouched to the ground. "I will track them and get K-9 back."
Narvin did not respond. When Leela looked up, she saw that he was gazing out at the docking bay, apparently fascinated by something.
"What is it?"
"I can see one of the ambassadors of the Monan Host," said Narvin. He pointed, and Leela followed his finger to where a tall woman was talking to a man in Gallifreyan robes. Her thoughts went back to the files.
"That is Melinna, yes? Why is she in the docking bay?"
"There's no reason for her presence," said Narvin, triumphantly. "The Host's ship is in a special bay. She must have come for the Matrix information."
"It is possible," agreed Leela. She bit at her lip. She had to find K-9, but it was her duty to find out what was happening with Melinna.
"I can follow her," said Narvin, as if sensing Leela's thoughts. "You go after your little robot friend."
"Romana said you were not to do anything about the Monans," said Leela, slowly. But it was a good idea.
"She meant I couldn't lead the investigation," said Narvin, smiling in that tight fashion again. Leela supposed he was trying to be charming. "Why don't you just deputize me? I'm here, you need an extra hand..." Narvin rummaged in his pockets and produced a small machine. "Here. It's a communicator. Call as soon as you rescue K-9 and I'll tell you my position."
Leela took the communicator and nodded before padding off on the trail. Sometimes you had to take help even from those you had been told to scorn. K-9 needed her.
---
Left to his own devices, Narvin ran down the steps, slowing as he approached a guard who was fiddling with her datapad. He handed the files about the Monan Host to the woman, along with curt instructions to make sure they were delivered to the CIA headquarters. He couldn't risk leaving them around, even if they contained no confidential information. Then he was on the move again, working his way through the landing pads and docked ships to where he had seen Melinna.
As he neared, he ducked behind a landed TARDIS that was in the shape of tall primitive computer bank and effectively shielded him from view. If he was lucky, he could catch some of the conversation.
He felt his cheeks straining with a hard grin. It had been a long time since he'd gone out in the field against the wishes of his superiors. He'd have to do this more often.
"That's all you have for me?" asked Melinna. Her tone was a little impatient, but otherwise she sounded untroubled. Probably an old hand at covert operations.
"That's all I was told to find out," said her companion, shifting uneasily. Narvin risked a glance around the corner of the TARDIS in order to get a closer look at the pair.
He didn't recognize the man, but he was definitely Gallifreyan. Narvin noted his sandy hair and bulky frame for later prosecution. Being involved in selling state secrets was punishable by more than a slap on the wrist, even if they had abolished dematerialisation these days.
Melinna herself was simply the standard sort of highly polished diplomat, though with an air of calm that went past the normal tense and forced serenity of the average. Narvin followed the graceful curve of her arms as she passed a data chip to the man, taking his hand in all four of her own.
"You've done well," she said. "We'll be in touch."
The man touched his collar nervously, as if he wasn't excited about the prospect. Narvin suspected he was being pressured into this by someone else. Obviously the treason hadn't been his idea.
Melinna glided away, and the man hurried away, looking back every few steps, as if worried she would come back. Narvin considered cornering him, but decided Melinna was far more important. After a moment he followed her, careful to stay far enough back that she wouldn't spot him easily.
---
Leela followed the trail carefully, pausing every once and a while to make sure she was on the right track. K-9 had left scorch marks for a short time as he fought his captor, but those soon faded. Leela hoped that K-9's weapons had simply been taken away. She would be very upset if he had come to harm.
Even with the blaster marks gone, the trail was still easy enough to mark. Narvin was right about one thing - whoever had taken K-9 was from the Monan Host delegation. The scent was unmistakable, and when it became lost in the streets of the citadel, Leela followed a hunch and headed toward the embassy.
She was nearly there when she was stopped by someone shouting her name.
"Leela! Leela, wait a moment!" Torvald jogged up, his hand hovering as if to catch her by the arm. Leela tensed and Torvald thought better of it.
"I do not have time to talk," said Leela, shortly. "I am busy."
"This won't take long," said Torvald. He was smiling in the way Leela didn't like, the way which seemed too knowing. "I just wanted to warn you."
"Warn me? About what?" Leela kept walking as they talked. She did not wish to lead Torvald to the embassy, but she could not stand around and risk K-9.
"Narvin," said Torvald, following. "He's going to try and take over your investigation. He's got his own agenda, trying to tie it in with the Monan Host."
"I have already," Leela hesitated, "'deputized' Narvin. He is working under my instructions."
"You can't have," said Torvald. His knowing smirk faded, replaced by a scowl. "Lady Romana must be informed. Narvin's xenophobia-"
"Narvin was right about the Monan Host, whatever his isolationist beliefs," continued Leela. She didn't bother to raise her voice. "Someone has taken K-9, and an ambassador from the embassy was seen speaking with a guard at the docking bay."
"He's gotten to you, hasn't he.” Torvald’s strides as he kept pace with Leela became sharp and jerky. “I can't believe you, of all people, would be tricked into furthering Narvin's prejudiced ideals."
"I have not been tricked," said Leela, annoyed. "Things have happened which cannot be ignored. There is no bias in the truth. Now, be quiet." She held up a hand to halt protest. "I am busy, as I have told you."
Leela knelt to the ground, conscious of Torvald standing over her. The trail was diverging from her guessed path, moving away from the nearly-constructed embassy and toward a set of housing units nearby. K-9 must be being held in someone's living quarters, perhaps the temporary ones assigned to the Monans. Leela straightened up.
"Where are we going?" asked Torvald. He showed no sign of leaving, despite Leela’s attempts to rid herself of him.
"I am going to find K-9. I do not know where you are going." Leela didn't bother to look at Torvald, but kept her eyes on the ground, willing another sign of K-9 to appear.
"With you. Someone has to be the independent observer."
"You are not independent," said Leela, not bothering to try and hide her stare now. "You are an agent of the CIA, a subordinate of Narvin's. You do not seem loyal as you should be, but you are no less his man."
"We'll see about that," muttered Torvald. "Do you want my help or should I just back off and watch from afar?"
"You may come if you are useful," allowed Leela. "But if you try anything, my knife shall taste your throat."
"Mhm." Torvald smiled again, and Leela shivered. It was lucky for him that she did not use her knife on those who simply unnerved her.
---
Narvin had trailed Melinna all the way back to the embassy, but now he paused. The area she had gone into was finished and designated as offices. For him to enter so soon after her deal would be suspicious. Even if Melinna thought it was a coincidence, she would be cagey and nervous, likely to ask Romana to call him off. That would result in Romana finding out that he had become involved despite her orders. That confrontation, Narvin thought, was better to put off until he had something to show for his disobedience.
On the other hand, standing around in the plaza in front of the embassy wasn't doing any good at all. Narvin walked inside.
"I'd like to speak with Ambassador Melinna," he said to the secretary. He, in turn, blinked at Narvin sleepily and typed something into a keypad. It beeped, and the Monan nodded.
"She says to go in. Third door on the left."
Narvin followed the directions, amused and annoyed at the lack of security. Anyone visiting the CIA offices would have been escorted, to ensure they didn't wander into the wrong area, accidentally or on purpose.
Narvin stood just out of sight of the secretary, considering whether he really needed to confront the ambassador. Surely there was something in this building worth sneaking a glance at.
The decision was taken out of his hands when Melinna herself emerged from her office. She smiled, and Narvin twitched a little as the atmosphere became warm and welcoming. Melinna was apparently projecting some telepathic energy that trespassed into Narvin's brain.
"Coordinator Narvin! What a pleasure."
"Ambassador Melinna," said Narvin. He inclined his head and stepped out to meet her. The energy was a clever diplomatic trick, and he was starting to feel more at ease despite himself. "I would like to speak with you privately, perhaps in your office?" Rather than wait for a response, he just pushed past her. Melinna swiveled and followed.
"Of course, of course." She swept in as Narvin opened the door and then waved at him to close it. "What can I do for you?"
Narvin sat down in the high-backed chair provided for guests, and then raised his eyebrows, waiting for Melinna to seat herself in turn. She did so, smiling wider to cover her annoyance at being preempted again.
"The CIA has been given information about a possible attempt to steal Matrix records. Some members of your embassy have been implicated." It wouldn't be good to give too much away. Narvin just wanted to see how she'd react, whether she'd be put on her guard or startled into making a mistake.
"Really?" Melinna bit her lip, projecting confusion. "How terrible."
"Yes," said Narvin, dryly. "Can I expect your cooperation in this matter, Excellency?"
"But of course!" Melinna spread three of her hands out on the table, palms down, and raised the remaining one to pat her hair. "But do call me Melinna."
Narvin looked at her warily. This was not at all how he had expected this interview to go. Melinna was completely unflustered, as if she were ignorant of the matter altogether. That was impossible, given what he'd seen at the docking bay. The other two explanations for Melinna's behavior were that she was stupid, which was unlikely, or she had a plan, which was worrying.
"Melinna," he said. "You must understand that if we discover anything, it could result in the offending staff being forcibly expelled from Gallifrey."
Instead of being shaken by the threat, Melinna just nodded and stood up, circling around to lean on her desk. Narvin stood up in turn, not wanting to be in a subordinate position.
"I understand completely," she said, huskily. "We'll deal with that in a moment."
"What could be more important than charges of espionage?" asked Narvin. This was bizarre.
"Matters of the heart!" said Melinna. She pressed two hands against her breast.
Narvin stared at her, completely nonplussed.
---
Leela and Torvald stood outside the apartment building. The trail had ended, and K-9 must be somewhere in there.
"We should go in and search every room," said Leela. "K-9 will be found."
"No," argued Torvald. "That would alert the kidnapper unless we were lucky enough to find him first."
"What should we do, then? Wait for K-9 to be torn apart? Run to Romana, as you wished to before, and let K-9 be taken somewhere else?"
"There must be something we can do," growled Torvald. "Don't reduce this to your way or the wrong way."
"You still give me no other choices," said Leela. "What use are you?"
"Look, why don't we just wait for a moment?" Torvald shrugged. "Maybe the kidnapper will come out. He must have taken K-9 for a reason."
"That would make sense," agreed Leela. "If he leaves, there will be signs that he held K-9 - scorch marks, or rust from K-9's underbelly."
"Rust? Your Doctor didn't use very good materials, did he?"
"But if we wait and he destroys K-9, then we will have done nothing," continued Leela. Only the twitch of her hand toward her knife showed that she had heard Torvald's insult.
"It's a risk," said Torvald. "But one I think we have to take. Come on, we can hide around that corner."
Leela followed, reluctantly, and settled into a crouch behind a shade of small trees. It was easy to lapse into the old habit of stalking and lying in wait, despite the foreign presence of Torvald. He was a hunter as well, and so not much of a distraction. He knew enough to be able to breathe quietly and not fidget.
"Why are you working with Narvin?"
Apparently he was still willing to talk. Leela shook her head.
"I'm being quiet," said Torvald. "Anyway, we're on official business, and you have a knife. We can deal with anyone who spots us."
"It is better to stay hidden than to be found out," said Leela. But by speaking she had agreed to listen to Torvald, and he started up again.
"Narvin looks down on you, you know. He thought he could muscle his way in to your investigation because you're not clever enough to keep him out."
"He may think what he likes," said Leela, lightly. "He is being useful. I cannot be in two places at once."
"You could have asked someone else for help," said Torvald. His face was intense when Leela glanced at it, and her eyes lingered a moment before she turned back to keeping watch on the apartment building.
"Who could I trust?" she asked. "Even your guards and office-workers think that I am lower than them. Oh, they will do what I say, but only that. And they will think less of me, that I needed their help."
"Not everyone thinks-" began Torvald, but Leela kept talking, letting the words cleanse the unhappiness from her soul.
"Narvin wears his dislike on his face, in his speech. He does not try to pretend that it is not there. It is not- better," said Leela, hesitating, "but it is more honest. He will do what is needed, and tell me that I am stupid. I do not care."
"Things shouldn't be like that," muttered Torvald.
"I agree," said Leela. She kept her eyes on the apartment. "I should never have come here. There is nothing for me, nothing worth dealing with your people for."
"What about your husband?" asked Torvald.
"He is gone," said Leela. "Keep your mind on the watch."
---
"Exactly what is going on here?" asked Narvin. He felt it important to be clear, because currently it seemed as if Melinna was waving away an important discussion in order to throw herself at him.
"I saw you at the banquet last week," breathed Melinna. Her energy swirled around Narvin, pulling at the hair on his arms and the back of his neck. "I've wanted you ever since."
"Ah," said Narvin. He backed up a little, not even noticing the movement until he bumped into his abandoned chair. "Um."
"I dared to hope that you felt it too," said Melinna, coming closer. "That that was why you had come. Was it? Were these silly accusations of espionage only a ploy?"
"My accusations are never silly," protested Narvin, automatically. "I'm never silly."
"Then it was fate that brought us together," said Melinna, spreading her arms.
"It was your illegal behavior."
"Love is never illegal!"
"I'm extremely uncomfortable with where this conversation is heading," said Narvin. "Can you sit down?"
"Oh, your concern is touching," said Melinna. "In truth, I can hardly stand for my passion."
"That's not what I meant-"
Melinna swooned at him, throwing herself into his arms.
"Please don't do that," said Narvin, his voice a little strangled despite himself. He sidestepped and forced Melinna to stumble and catch herself.
"Come now, Narvin," she said, when she recovered. Her voice was sterner now, more commanding. "I know we can never truly be together, but surely we can make something of the attraction between us?" She made a graceful and obscene gesture with one of her limbs.
"Don't do that either," said Narvin. He covered his eyes with one hand, trying to gather his thoughts. "This is obviously an attempt to distract me from investigating your embassy."
"How could you accuse me of such a thing!" said Melinna. She rubbed at her eyes, sniffing. "Is it so hard to believe that someone could love you solely on your own merits?"
Narvin thought about it. Then he brought the hand away from his eyes, and used it to wave the suggestion away.
"Yes," he said, "it is."
"Damn," said Melinna. "What about casual sex?"
"You are trying to distract me!" said Narvin, stung and a little overloud. He winced at the noise and lowered his voice to its normal even tones. "This is sexual harassment."
"I have immunity from prosecution," said Melinna. "And your president would hardly expel me for such an offense. Anyway, I was told you were chronically undersexed, even for a Time Lord."
"This is insulting to my office and my character," said Narvin. His tone hovered between seriousness and sarcasm. "And it practically proves that you are trying to cover up your complicity in the theft of Matrix records."
"I must sadly agree," said Melinna. "I did hope to make this go away in a pleasant manner, but I suppose I can deal with a less entertaining method." Her energy withdrew from Narvin as she pressed a button and spoke into an intercom on the desk. "G'kar, could you call in Konstan? I have someone for him to deal with."
"Deal with," said Narvin. "You do realize I'm the coordinator of the CIA?"
"Well, yes," said Melinna. "And it was very foolish of you to come here alone."
---
"Someone's leaving," said Torvald. A familiar figure was walking out of the apartment building.
"I had noticed," hissed Leela. "He is the tall man who dropped that paper. He must have taken K-9!" Her hand grabbed for her dagger, and she started up, but Torvald pulled her back by her arm. "Let go of me!"
"Listen," said Torvald. His mouth was set in a grim line, but he showed no fear. "He doesn't have K-9 with him, so he must have left him in his room. We can just go up to the front desk, tell them we're from the CIA, and ask to be shown his room. Simple."
"I suppose," said Leela, slowly. "But I am not done with him. When next we meet he will pay, all the more so if he has hurt K-9."
"Yes, yes, you're very bloodthirsty." Torvald shifted impatiently, and Leela glared at him as they waited for the tall man to get out of sight. Luckily he seemed to be in a hurry, and they were soon out of the bush and inside the building.
"Hello," said Torvald, smiling at the Time Lady at the reception desk. He was probably trying to look friendly, but the expression sat poorly on his face, making him look angry, ill, or both. Leela smiled to herself in turn, confident that it looked well on her.
"How can I help you, sir? ...Madam?"
Leela ignored the woman's stumble over the last word and leaned over the desk as if to share a great secret.
"We are investigating charges of spying and theft made against a man who is staying here. He is tall, with brown hair. Do you know who I am speaking of?"
"Konstan? Of course, but there must be some mistake." The Time Lady's eyes were wide and unsure.
"We have authorization to pursue this matter from the highest authorities," said Torvald. "The Lady President, in fact. We must see this Konstan's rooms."
"I'll need some ID," said the Time Lady, coolly. Now that she was over her shock, she seemed to be falling back on the procedure that had probably been drilled into her.
Leela examined the floor as Torvald produced a CIA badge. The tall man had come through here, and his tracks were evident. One of his boots had had oil on it, the faint traces working backwards into full smears.
"This doesn't look like you."
"I regenerated recently. What do you want, for me to pull up my Matrix records?"
Leela followed the footprints until they left the reception area, going into one of the corridors that led to the living quarters. She glanced back at Torvald, and he nodded slightly, shifting forward to crowd the Time Lady and block Leela from view.
Leela pushed through the doors to the corridor carefully, making no sound. She closed the doors, waited a moment to ensure there was no pursuit, and then broke into a jog, going as fast as she could while still reading the traces.
K-9 was in this building somewhere, and he was bleeding.
---
Narvin wasn't sure whether to try and make a break for it or wait and see what happened. Melinna didn't seem to have a weapon, but it probably wouldn't be easy to get out of the building. On the other hand, if he gambled and stayed, he might never have an opportunity to leave again.
The door opened and closed, and Melinna smiled, her energy turning expectant. Narvin didn't look around, but he supposed this meant Konstan had arrived.
"You sent for me?" Konstan was standing behind Narvin's chair, but his voice floated over Narvin's head, niggling at his memory. Ah. The man who had dropped the papers. Was he an ally, a trap, or just clumsy?
"As you see, the Coordinator here has been asking questions." Melinna waved a careless hand at Narvin. "I'd like you to give him some... 'answers.'"
"I thought you wanted everything kept secret." Narvin looked up at that, certain no one could be so clueless. As expected, Konstan's eyebrows were quirked just a little too quizzically, his eyes just a little too wide.
"I meant slap him around, you dolt!" snapped Melinna. "Find out what exactly he knows, then erase his memory. Kill him if you have to, let regeneration trauma do your work for you. We're too close to have to deal with the authorities."
No love lost there. Narvin's hopes, if you could call them that, rose. With luck, he could play them against each other, cause a rift, and get out in the aftermath. If he just-
His thoughts were interrupted as Konstan dragged him out of his chair by the collar of his robe, forcing him toward the door.
"We'd better get started," said the man. "Can't keep Her Excellency waiting."
Narvin glanced back at Melinna, who was already shuffling through the stacks of documents on her desk.
"I know how it is," he mumbled, confiding. "Busy, busy, and you have to do all her dirty work."
"Yeah," said Konstan, and half-pushed Narvin down a flight of stairs.
On to Part Two!