Fic: Solaris
Author: bell_jar_fics
Story: Solaris
Character/Pairing: Doctor, Rose, Jack, OC, Hints of Doctor/Rose
Era: Ninth Doctor Era; Takes place between The Doctor Dances and Boomtown.
Rating: PG-13 (To be safe)
Chapter: 19/30(?) (The Ambassador's Request)
Summary: The Doctor, Rose, and Jack travel to an Alien city, where they must team up with a local thief to retrieve a series of mysterious artifacts of unknown capacity.
Disclaimer: Obviously not the owner.
Previous Chapters
The Doctor and his friends didn’t say a word as the guards escorted them, fully manacled, into a rather beautiful ivory white building atop a large hill on the edge of the city. The main entryway that they stepped into was even more magnificent than the outside, and almost resembled the front lobby of a high-priced fine arts museum, complete with a marble staircase and gigantic crystal chandeliers. At the very head of the staircase, they saw Sebastiane, the girl from the carriage, standing with an impressively-dressed heavyset man.
“Ambassador Ection,” one of the guards called up to the heavyset man. “These are the ones we found…”
“Captain Rea, thank you!” Ambassador Ection exclaimed in a pleased tone. “How nice of you to escort our honored guests here.”
“Honored guests?” Captain Rea stared, clearly flustered by the cheerful response. “Sir, these four might have been behind the attack on…”
“My daughter, Sebastiane, has just told me exactly what happened,” Ambassador Ection announced, placing an arm around her shoulder. “Apparently, these four managed to drive off her attackers. In fact, they probably saved her life tonight. Please, let them loose.” Captain Rea hesitated for a second, but then obeyed the ambassador, removing the manacles from the TARDIS crew before exiting the room with the other guards. Once they were alone, the ambassador descended the stairs with Sebastiane close behind him.
“I can never thank you four enough for what you’ve done tonight,” he was saying. “If it wasn’t for you, my daughter might have been lost forever. We are both in your debt.
“I suppose introductions are in order. As you may have already figured out, I am Ection Sageat, the ambassador of Galaniya, and I trust you’ve already met my daughter.”
“Nice to meet you,” the Doctor smiled in greeting, with an extra nod of acknowledgement to Sebastiane. “I’m the Doctor; this is Rose Tyler, Jack Harkness, and Solaris. If you don’t mind me asking, why were those men after Sebastiane?”
“Ah, a very good question,” Ection commented. “I’m afraid we can’t talk about it here. If you’ll come with me to the briefing room, I shall explain everything. But first, Sebastiane, I think you had better head off to bed. You’ve had a rather long night, I think.”
“Yes, father,” Sebastiane agreed, giving Ection a quick curtsy before returning to the upstairs landing and disappearing down the hall.
“Now, then,” Ection returned his attention to the TARDIS crew. “Come with me, and I’ll explain everything.”
-----
A short five minutes later, the Doctor, Rose, Jack and Solaris were seated around a long table in the briefing room, with Ection sitting at the head of the table.
“The situation we are in is rather serious, but not too difficult to understand,” Ection began. “For many generations, Galaniya was at war with its neighboring planet, Crystanila. But quite recently, our two planets had reached a stalemate. Delegates from both planets met with each other and discussed the problem for nearly two months before deciding that the best option for everyone would be to create a peace treaty. As the ambassador for Galaniya, it would be my job to ensure that the treaty is signed.
“That’s where the problem arises. Some Galaniyans do not want the treaty to be signed. They have too much animosity towards Crystanila; lost so many loved ones during the war that they cannot easily forgive. I’m afraid they aren’t interesting in forming a peaceful connection with them. The Galaniyans who attacked Sebastiane’s carriage tonight were from that group. They believe that if they hold my daughter for ransom, it will prevent me from signing the treaty. And to be perfectly honest, I think I might relent to their wishes if they manage to abduct Sebastiane. She’s all I have.”
“Is there something we could do to help?” Rose asked.
“Thank you, Miss Tyler,” Ection sighed, patting her arm appreciatively. “But I mustn’t be brash. It was kind enough of you to save Sebastiane once. To expect you to do so again would be wrong. And I’m sure you already have your own things to do on Galaniya.
“But, if you could find it in your hearts, my daughter needs to be kept safe. The group that attacked her carriage tonight will try again. I am sure they will. For the most part, my guards can handle the task of keeping her safe. However, tomorrow night, we are hosting the Armistice Ball, during which the peace treaty between Galaniya and Crystanila will be signed. Due to the large number of guests that will be there, it would be much harder for Sebastiane to be protected by her usual security.”
“So you’re asking us to be temporary bodyguards for Sebastiane,” the Doctor concluded.
“I know it is very brash to ask so much of you, but you have proved that you can protect her very well tonight, and I am willing to do anything in return of your help. Anything.”
“I know what I think probably doesn’t matter,” Solaris spoke up. “But maybe we should be her bodyguards. It’ll only be for one night, and maybe Ection could help us find the coronet we’re looking for.”
“You are looking for a coronet?” Ection asked in curiosity.
“We need to find a particular coronet,” the Doctor clarified. “One that has one large stone bordered by eight smaller ones. It’s very important that we find it soon, because we have to trade it for an antidote.”
“The problem is Rose was poisoned almost two weeks ago,” Jack continued. “Her poisoner will only hand over the antidote if we find that coronet for him.”
“Oh, my,” Ection’s eyes widened in shock. “That is dreadful news! And you believe the coronet is here on Galaniya?”
“That’s what the coordinates we were given said,” Solaris muttered, suddenly looking uncomfortable about something.
“Well, if that is why you have come to this planet, than you may count on the aid of my guards in finding what you seek.”
“Thank you for the offer, Ambassador Ection,” the Doctor smiled in appreciation.
“If you’re going to help us find the coronet,” Rose spoke up, “we need to help you by protecting Sebastiane at tomorrow’s ball.”
“My dear, that is not necessary,” Ection shook his head. “I didn’t realize your need was so pressing when I asked for your help with that. It’s good enough you’ve already helped protect her once, and…”
“I’m with Rose on this one,” Jack interrupted. “You’ve already agreed to help us find the coronet. The least we can do is help you by keeping Sebastiane safe for you until the treaty’s been signed.”
“Captain Harkness, you have already done me a service this very night, just by…” Once again, Ection’s hesitation was cut off, this time by the Doctor.
“I’m afraid it’s too late to refuse our help with this matter,” he apologized. “Even if you couldn’t help us find the coronet, we couldn’t just turn the other way when your daughter might be in danger. Besides, the fate of an unsigned peace treaty is a good enough reason to help anyone. I don’t much care for wars.”
“In that case,” Ection smiled wearily, “I thank you for your help. You are all free to make yourselves at home here in the mansion until the Armistice Ball tomorrow night. The moment the ball is over, I shall dispatch my guards to aid you in your search for the coronet. Please, wait here and I will fetch my manservant to take the four of you to your rooms.”
After shaking everyone’s hand in turn, Ection left the briefing room, visibly overcome by their offer to help protect Sebastiane during the Armistice Ball.”
“Well, this will be fun,” Jack grinned. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to a party like this. Thanks for volunteering us for this, Solaris.”
“I just thought it would be an even trade,” Solaris shrugged. “What’s that old saying? You scratch my back, and I scratch yours?”
“More importantly, we might be able to help keep Sebastiane safe,” Rose pointed out. “Ection’s not just an ambassador. He’s a father worried about his daughter. How could we not offer to help him?”
“Rose is right,” the Doctor agreed. “We should always try to help keep families together. But there’s only one thing that’s bothering me right now.” Pausing, the Doctor glanced over at Solaris, fixing her with a consoling smile. “What makes you say that what you think doesn’t matter?” Solaris didn’t respond to his question. Instead, she simply looked towards him, visibly gobsmaked.
Story: Solaris
Character/Pairing: Doctor, Rose, Jack, OC, Hints of Doctor/Rose
Era: Ninth Doctor Era; Takes place between The Doctor Dances and Boomtown.
Rating: PG-13 (To be safe)
Chapter: 19/30(?) (The Ambassador's Request)
Summary: The Doctor, Rose, and Jack travel to an Alien city, where they must team up with a local thief to retrieve a series of mysterious artifacts of unknown capacity.
Disclaimer: Obviously not the owner.
Previous Chapters
The Doctor and his friends didn’t say a word as the guards escorted them, fully manacled, into a rather beautiful ivory white building atop a large hill on the edge of the city. The main entryway that they stepped into was even more magnificent than the outside, and almost resembled the front lobby of a high-priced fine arts museum, complete with a marble staircase and gigantic crystal chandeliers. At the very head of the staircase, they saw Sebastiane, the girl from the carriage, standing with an impressively-dressed heavyset man.
“Ambassador Ection,” one of the guards called up to the heavyset man. “These are the ones we found…”
“Captain Rea, thank you!” Ambassador Ection exclaimed in a pleased tone. “How nice of you to escort our honored guests here.”
“Honored guests?” Captain Rea stared, clearly flustered by the cheerful response. “Sir, these four might have been behind the attack on…”
“My daughter, Sebastiane, has just told me exactly what happened,” Ambassador Ection announced, placing an arm around her shoulder. “Apparently, these four managed to drive off her attackers. In fact, they probably saved her life tonight. Please, let them loose.” Captain Rea hesitated for a second, but then obeyed the ambassador, removing the manacles from the TARDIS crew before exiting the room with the other guards. Once they were alone, the ambassador descended the stairs with Sebastiane close behind him.
“I can never thank you four enough for what you’ve done tonight,” he was saying. “If it wasn’t for you, my daughter might have been lost forever. We are both in your debt.
“I suppose introductions are in order. As you may have already figured out, I am Ection Sageat, the ambassador of Galaniya, and I trust you’ve already met my daughter.”
“Nice to meet you,” the Doctor smiled in greeting, with an extra nod of acknowledgement to Sebastiane. “I’m the Doctor; this is Rose Tyler, Jack Harkness, and Solaris. If you don’t mind me asking, why were those men after Sebastiane?”
“Ah, a very good question,” Ection commented. “I’m afraid we can’t talk about it here. If you’ll come with me to the briefing room, I shall explain everything. But first, Sebastiane, I think you had better head off to bed. You’ve had a rather long night, I think.”
“Yes, father,” Sebastiane agreed, giving Ection a quick curtsy before returning to the upstairs landing and disappearing down the hall.
“Now, then,” Ection returned his attention to the TARDIS crew. “Come with me, and I’ll explain everything.”
-----
A short five minutes later, the Doctor, Rose, Jack and Solaris were seated around a long table in the briefing room, with Ection sitting at the head of the table.
“The situation we are in is rather serious, but not too difficult to understand,” Ection began. “For many generations, Galaniya was at war with its neighboring planet, Crystanila. But quite recently, our two planets had reached a stalemate. Delegates from both planets met with each other and discussed the problem for nearly two months before deciding that the best option for everyone would be to create a peace treaty. As the ambassador for Galaniya, it would be my job to ensure that the treaty is signed.
“That’s where the problem arises. Some Galaniyans do not want the treaty to be signed. They have too much animosity towards Crystanila; lost so many loved ones during the war that they cannot easily forgive. I’m afraid they aren’t interesting in forming a peaceful connection with them. The Galaniyans who attacked Sebastiane’s carriage tonight were from that group. They believe that if they hold my daughter for ransom, it will prevent me from signing the treaty. And to be perfectly honest, I think I might relent to their wishes if they manage to abduct Sebastiane. She’s all I have.”
“Is there something we could do to help?” Rose asked.
“Thank you, Miss Tyler,” Ection sighed, patting her arm appreciatively. “But I mustn’t be brash. It was kind enough of you to save Sebastiane once. To expect you to do so again would be wrong. And I’m sure you already have your own things to do on Galaniya.
“But, if you could find it in your hearts, my daughter needs to be kept safe. The group that attacked her carriage tonight will try again. I am sure they will. For the most part, my guards can handle the task of keeping her safe. However, tomorrow night, we are hosting the Armistice Ball, during which the peace treaty between Galaniya and Crystanila will be signed. Due to the large number of guests that will be there, it would be much harder for Sebastiane to be protected by her usual security.”
“So you’re asking us to be temporary bodyguards for Sebastiane,” the Doctor concluded.
“I know it is very brash to ask so much of you, but you have proved that you can protect her very well tonight, and I am willing to do anything in return of your help. Anything.”
“I know what I think probably doesn’t matter,” Solaris spoke up. “But maybe we should be her bodyguards. It’ll only be for one night, and maybe Ection could help us find the coronet we’re looking for.”
“You are looking for a coronet?” Ection asked in curiosity.
“We need to find a particular coronet,” the Doctor clarified. “One that has one large stone bordered by eight smaller ones. It’s very important that we find it soon, because we have to trade it for an antidote.”
“The problem is Rose was poisoned almost two weeks ago,” Jack continued. “Her poisoner will only hand over the antidote if we find that coronet for him.”
“Oh, my,” Ection’s eyes widened in shock. “That is dreadful news! And you believe the coronet is here on Galaniya?”
“That’s what the coordinates we were given said,” Solaris muttered, suddenly looking uncomfortable about something.
“Well, if that is why you have come to this planet, than you may count on the aid of my guards in finding what you seek.”
“Thank you for the offer, Ambassador Ection,” the Doctor smiled in appreciation.
“If you’re going to help us find the coronet,” Rose spoke up, “we need to help you by protecting Sebastiane at tomorrow’s ball.”
“My dear, that is not necessary,” Ection shook his head. “I didn’t realize your need was so pressing when I asked for your help with that. It’s good enough you’ve already helped protect her once, and…”
“I’m with Rose on this one,” Jack interrupted. “You’ve already agreed to help us find the coronet. The least we can do is help you by keeping Sebastiane safe for you until the treaty’s been signed.”
“Captain Harkness, you have already done me a service this very night, just by…” Once again, Ection’s hesitation was cut off, this time by the Doctor.
“I’m afraid it’s too late to refuse our help with this matter,” he apologized. “Even if you couldn’t help us find the coronet, we couldn’t just turn the other way when your daughter might be in danger. Besides, the fate of an unsigned peace treaty is a good enough reason to help anyone. I don’t much care for wars.”
“In that case,” Ection smiled wearily, “I thank you for your help. You are all free to make yourselves at home here in the mansion until the Armistice Ball tomorrow night. The moment the ball is over, I shall dispatch my guards to aid you in your search for the coronet. Please, wait here and I will fetch my manservant to take the four of you to your rooms.”
After shaking everyone’s hand in turn, Ection left the briefing room, visibly overcome by their offer to help protect Sebastiane during the Armistice Ball.”
“Well, this will be fun,” Jack grinned. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to a party like this. Thanks for volunteering us for this, Solaris.”
“I just thought it would be an even trade,” Solaris shrugged. “What’s that old saying? You scratch my back, and I scratch yours?”
“More importantly, we might be able to help keep Sebastiane safe,” Rose pointed out. “Ection’s not just an ambassador. He’s a father worried about his daughter. How could we not offer to help him?”
“Rose is right,” the Doctor agreed. “We should always try to help keep families together. But there’s only one thing that’s bothering me right now.” Pausing, the Doctor glanced over at Solaris, fixing her with a consoling smile. “What makes you say that what you think doesn’t matter?” Solaris didn’t respond to his question. Instead, she simply looked towards him, visibly gobsmaked.