Alliance of Death

Jason spun around to see an energy weapon aimed straight at him. His heart missed a beat as he realized he had not been abducted to treat a wounded criminal. He fell back against the door and looked helplessly over at the Master, who seemed to be the one holding Payne's leash.
"We don't want to frighten our young friend, Colonel," the Time Lord cooed softly. "We need his help." The Master's dark, compelling eyes locked with those of the terrified Healer. "You will help us, won't you, Jason?" he asked hypnotically.
Jason suddenly relaxed in spite of himself, the medical bag slipping from his hand. His eyes glazed over as he stared, unblinking, into the eyes of the renegade Time Lord, drawn into the black void and swept away on a tide of gentle, soothing tones. "Help you..." he echoed dreamily.
"That's right. And you will obey me." The Master's voice hardened as he repeated, "You will obey me."
"I...will...obey..."
Suddenly, somewhere deep inside Jason's mind, an alarm went off, calling to him, screaming at him, that something was drastically wrong. He immediately stiffened and came out of his trance, wrenching his gaze away from the Time Lord's hypnotic stare with visible effort. He wavered on his feet, a hand going to his head. "What am I saying?" he muttered dazedly.
The Master was furious that the Alterran had been able to overcome his control. This was something only a person with a will equal or greater than the Time Lord himself could do.
The Master's eyes narrowed in anger, yet he remained almost unnaturally calm. He needed the infuriating youth to achieve his ultimate goal. The fact that Payne sought revenge against his family was merely an added bonus, something to amuse him while his scheme took shape. "We'll have to do this the hard way," he hissed between his teeth. "Payne, take care of his boy. I have preparations to make."
Payne smiled evilly, causing Jason to press himself harder against the door. "With pleasure, Master."

* * *

Kyska returned to the suite to find the Doctor apparently dozing in a chair. She looked in the other rooms and then started to tiptoe quietly out, nearly jumping out of her skin when the Doctor suddenly sat bolt upright. "Of course! What a fool I am!" he exclaimed, striking his forehead with his hand. "He won't know me from Adam since I've regenerated." Looking up at the perplexed young woman, he asked, "So why am I hiding, I ask you?"
"Doctor, I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about."
"What?" The Time Lord looked at Kyska as if she had just appeared out of thin air. "Oh, hello, my dear. Are you enjoying yourself?"
Relieved the Doctor had finally asked her something she understood, Kyska smiled brightly. "Yes, I'm having a marvelous time. Anon and I came to see if Jason was still up here."
"Someone from security came to get him a short time ago," the Doctor informed. "There was some sort of an accident in the detention area, and apparently the palace staff is swamped."
"Oh, good," the young woman beamed, receiving a horrified look in return. Realizing how she must have sounded, she quickly explained that her cousin was always happier when he was working instead of standing around talking nonsense.
The Doctor knew just how he felt and nodded understandingly. A sudden thought struck him and he asked, "Kyska, have you ever met a Lord Masters?" Her reaction surprised him. She stiffened visibly and there was a distinct edge of hostility in her voice when she replied, "Yes, I have. Why?"
"What do you think of him?"
"Do you want the truth?"
"My dear girl, I always want the truth."
Kyska paused a moment to compose her thoughts. "I think he's an arrogant, condescending, egotistical phony who's only interest in life is the advancement of his own status."
The Doctor was momentarily stunned. This was quite possibly the most succinct description of the Master he had ever heard. He almost burst into laughter when she asked, "Is he a friend of yours?"
"We're acquainted with one another, but I'd hardly call him a friend."
"Good. I've been doing my best to avoid him."
The Time Lord breathed a sigh of relief. There was no point in frightening the girl about the Master if she was already keeping her distance.
"Are you going to stay up here all day, Doctor?" Kyska asked politely. "It's so beautiful out today. And the gardens are just magnificent now that the leaves have all changed color."
"Perhaps I'll go have a wander. Would you care to join me?" he asked, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Perhaps show me around, since Jason's unable to."
"Can Anon come?" Kyska asked sheepishly, shooting a quick glance over to the door. "I left him waiting in the hall."
"Certainly. The more the merrier," the Doctor boomed cheerily, offering her his arm.
The young woman beamed and took the proffered arm. "I know just where to start."

* * *

In the makeshift lab, Jason was in what appeared to be an alcove set in the far corner of the room. He was spread-eagled against the wall, his hands and feet in shackles. On a bench a few feet away sat a small black box, a blue light dancing across its opening. The tiny device was a miniature barrier generator, which would prevent Jason from escaping the chains. Colonel Payne was in the process of attaching electronic leads to him. He tore open his shirt, quite unnecessarily, Jason thought, as the last of the leads were attached to his chest.
Finished with his prisoner, Payne went over to the equipment to connect the other end of the leads.
Jason silently watched all this in fear and bewilderment, having fight to remain calm. He had been unable to stop trembling and drew a deep breath, looking up at his hands. He pulled at the shackles, rattling the chains slightly, which only served to infuriate the unstable ex-Colonel who spun around in anger, snatching his gun from it holster and aiming at the terrified Healer who could hear the power pack charging up.
So could the Master.
"Payne!"
The mercenary whirled around to see the Time Lord standing in the far doorway glaring angrily at him.
"He's no use to me dead!"
Jason breathed a sigh of relief at the timely intervention and fell back against the wall.
"Have you finished?" the Master snapped as he crossed the room.
"Almost, Master," came the submissive reply as the Colonel busied himself with the wires.
The Master put a piece of apparatus on a cart and wheeled it in front of Jason, who studied the rather ordinary looking box intently. It was only about a half meter square with a dish-like antenna pointing in his direction. Looking up, the Time Lord saw his prisoner scrutinizing the equipment. "No questions?"
Jason shot a quick glance in Payne's direction before answering. "Plenty," he said shakily. "I'm just not sure I want to know the answers."
The Master was amused by this response. "You are a very wise young man," he remarked. But his enormous ego demanded the awe of an audience, and it was obvious his prisoner possessed significantly more brains than did Colonel Payne. With a smile, he said, "I shall tell you, anyway. This equipment is designed to induce a state of total suspended animation--TSA, if you will."
"Why? The trance inducer on the energy guns does essentially the same thing," Jason said reasonably.
"Essentially, but not exactly," the Master said pointedly. "I require total suspended animation, not a hypnotic trance, to achieve my purpose."
"And just what is your purpose? Why are you doing this? And why to me? It can't be to help him--" Jason nodded in Payne's direction. "He's a thug."
The Time Lord's face darkened considerably, his eyes narrowing in to angry slits, and for a single, terrifying moment, Jason was certain he was about to die and shrank back as best he could in his bonds.
Controlling himself with visible effort, the Master hissed, "Don't get too curious, boy. Remember, I hold your life in my hands."
Jason opened his mouth to ask another question, thought better of it and stopped himself. This did not go unnoticed by his captor, who found his show of good judgment amusing.
"You're wondering why I'm even bothering to tell you this," the Time Lord said congenially, receiving a hesitant nod in reply. "You're also wondering why I need you alive."
The fettered youth remained silent. He could see Payne glaring at him over the Master's shoulder and had no doubts that the mercenary would kill him without a moment's hesitation. He would not learn until later that the Master would do exactly the same thing.
Oblivious to this by-play, the Master explained that the equipment had been designed for carbon-based lifeforms. Since Alterrans were silicon-based, the equipment needed to be recalibrated. Then, of course, it would have to be tested, adjusted, fine tuned, etc....
"On me," Jason breathed in horror.
"Unless you help me otherwise," the Time Lord said coldly. "I've studied your credentials, Healer Jason of Krystovan, and I must admit to being impressed. If anyone can help me, you can."
"How can I possibly help you when I don't understand what you're trying to do?" the captive Healer protested.
"Then it seems you're in for a very long and educational afternoon." The Master strode over to the computer on the raised platform, checking over the systems. "Payne, are those connections finished yet?"
"Yes, Master. Everything's on-line," Colonel Payne replied, glancing quickly over the equipment one last time.
"Excellent. Then we're ready for the first test."
The Time Lord sat down at the console and went down his checklist. Jason, in the meantime, broke into a cold sweat. The Master waved a hand in the direction of the barrier generator. "Turn that thing off," he ordered. "I don't want it interfering with the readings."
The instant Payne complied, the Master stabbed a button and a red beam fired from the antenna in a short burst, striking the unsuspecting Jason in the chest. He cried out in alarm, then in pain as his muscles constricted, his nerve endings feeling as if they were on fire. The effects lasted only a few seconds but were enough to leave him dazed.
The Master sat pouring over the sensitive equipment as it analyzed the results of the first test. Muttering to himself, he did a number of complex calculations with astonishing speed and then went over to the box on the cart where he made some adjustments.
Jason took this in in silence. He braced himself when his captor returned to the console, knowing another assault was forthcoming. The beam fired again, knocking him helplessly back against the hard stone wall where he fought to keep from crying out. When the source of his torment faded, he sagged, clinging to the chains to stay on his feet.
Watching as the Master pour over the readings, Jason knew it would be only a matter of time before the damage to his system was severe enough to prevent him from transmuting, even if an opportunity to escape presented itself. Without medical attention, he would be trapped, not only in his present form, but also in the chains anchoring him into place.

Chapter Seven
A Long, Educational Afternoon

Kyska had thoroughly enjoyed showing the Doctor around the Palace and surrounding gardens, not realizing his request for a tour was his way of searching for the Master. In fact, she was so enthralled with Anon, and he with her, that neither of them noticed the Doctor was not paying any attention to the tour at all. By the end of the afternoon, they had been through all of the portions of the Palace that had been opened to the public.
"I'm exhausted," Kyska sighed as they made their way back to the suite. The Doctor had to admit to being tired himself and said, "I think a short nap is in order."
"That's a great idea," Anon enthused. "Then you'll be all rested up for the ball tonight."
"The ball! Oh, heavens! I forgot all about it," the young woman gasped. She started to flutter again, this time to Anon's amusement.
"You'll be fine, Kyss," Anon laughed. "And tell that cousin of yours that I will escort you there myself."
Kyska blushed at the sudden invitation, glancing nervously back at the Doctor before saying, "Anon, you don't have to feel sorry for me because I'm alone..."
"Nonsense!" the young man replied. He kissed her hand and then winked at the grinning Time Lord. "I'll be back to escort you to the ball, my Lady." So saying he vanished down the hall.
"Your friend Anon is an extraordinary young man," the Doctor remarked as he held open the door. "Quite delightful."
"I wonder if Jason would agree," she replied darkly, entering the room. Calling out to her cousin, Kyska looked in the rooms, discovering, "He's not here."
"Perhaps he returned while we were out," the Doctor guessed, giving way to a yawn.
"He probably met up with an old girlfriend on his way back," Kyska said acidly. "His lady love has gone away to school, you see..." She yawned
herself and muttered, "Oh my, I am tired. I think I will have a nap."
Heading for her room, she said offhandedly, "You watch. Jason'll turn up just before the ball tonight after spending all afternoon moaning to someone for sympathy."
* * *
In the makeshift lab, Jason was definitely moaning, but not over lost loves; and he was receiving even less sympathy. The recalibration of the equipment had gone on throughout the afternoon, and the Master was heedless to the agony he was inflicting on his helpless prisoner. He was, however, finding it difficult to ignore the pleas to stop the tests, finding them a considerable nuisance only in that they broke his concentration.
"No more...please...no more..." Jason gasped weakly, his voice no more than a whisper. Sweat poured down his haggard face, and his body was racked with pain, his muscles giving way to agonizing spasms brought on by the unrelenting assault on his system.
The Master poured over the results of the most recent test and slammed a fist on the console in frustration. "Why isn't it working?" he growled.
Colonel Payne was no scientist and did not delude himself by reasoning he was any kind of intellectual, either. He was just a soldier; and all this fancy technology was quite beyond him. He hoped the failure of the equipment was not in some way his fault.
"I hooked everything up exactly like you told me," Payne injected guiltily.
"What?" The Master looked up from the console in irritation.
"I hooked everything--"
"Yes, yes, yes," the Time Lord snapped impatiently, waving a hand at him. He returned his attention to his work, going over the results of the entire afternoon and concluding, "It should work." He went over to the apparatus on the cart and scrutinized its interior, wondering if it were malfunctioning in some way.
Jason took this in in a daze. Upon hearing the Master say something about starting from scratch, he could remain silent no longer. "If you don't...reduce the power...it'll never work," he informed, having to force the words through his parched lips.
The Master looked up sharply. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he gazed into his prisoner's drawn face. Payne took an angry step forward only to be halted by an upraised hand.
"Have you decided to help? After all this time?" the Master asked dubiously. "Why, I wonder?"
"A means...to an end. My...end," Jason rasped. "I assume ...I'm to be...killed...when this is...over."
"Perhaps..." the Master replied noncommittally. At this point, he was ready to try anything, including accept the assistance of his previously unwilling prisoner to attain his ultimate goal.
Payne tried to object but was silenced with an icy stare.
Jason dared not hope he might actually survive his ordeal. At present he only wanted the finality of death to end his torment. "I...I...can...help you," he said faintly.
"Tell me what you know!" the Master demanded.
"Water...please," the Healer begged. "I can't...talk."
Without warning, the Master descended on him, grabbing hold of the startled young man and lifting him off of his feet and as high into the air as the chains would allow. "If I find you're lying to me, boy," he hissed threateningly, "I will burn out every nerve in your body one by one."
The terrified Alterran shook his head vigorously and tried desperately to reply, but the words dried up in his throat and all that came out were unintelligible croaks. His captor then dropped him and Jason let out a yelp when the shackles stopped his progress, digging themselves deeper into his wrists.
The Master snapped his fingers at Payne, ordering him to give his prisoner some water. The Colonel was incredulous. "Why don't you just get him down so he can have a nice cup of tea?" he spat contemptuously.
"An excellent suggestion," the Time Lord said coldly, his voice hardening as he added, "And perhaps you would like to take his place?"
The Colonel stiffened, knowing his employer would carry out this threat without hesitation. Bearing this in mind, he grudgingly gave Jason some water.
Once he could speak, Jason explained that it was the quick burst of power that prevented the TSA device from working properly. This was because it was working against, instead of with, the Alterran's natural ability to absorb sudden bursts of energy. Because his molecular structure was crystalline, Jason pointed out, each sudden burst of energy caused it to vibrate, or "sing" as the energy was absorbed.
"If you don't stop the crystalline singing," he informed, "you'll never achieve total suspended animation."
The Master listened to the explanation with a distinct air of skepticism and distrust. But as the Healer went on, he double checked his findings and discovered the Alterran was apparently telling the truth. Using this new information, the Time Lord made several recalculations and set to work reprogramming the equipment.
Jason took advantage of the brief respite while his captor made the lengthy corrections. The water alone had done him a world of good, and he had regained enough of his strength to pull himself to his feet, taking the strain off of his wrists and arms. Unfortunately, he then experienced painful pins and needles as he put his full weight on his legs.
Suddenly the Master announced, "If you're lying to me, boy, we'll know in a moment," and Jason braced himself. The antenna fired again. Only instead of a short burst, the beam continued for several seconds, gradually building in strength.
The exhausted and abused Healer was engulfed in the red glow and instantly paralyzed. This time, however, there was no pain. No sudden jolt. Just a strange soothing feeling like someone was pouring warm honey all over him. He relaxed completely, gratefully drifting into oblivion.
Across the room, the Master stood staring at the immobile young man in a mixture of triumph and resentment. How could he have missed something so simple, he thought angrily. It was so obvious now, yet he had miss it and Jason hadn't. A quick check on the instruments verified the captive Alterran was in a state of total suspended animation.
Coming out of his daze, the Master ordered Payne to remove all the leads and then turned his attention back to the computer.
"How long will he stay like that?" the Colonel wanted to know.
"In theory, indefinitely," the Master replied in a velvety tone that immediately made the mercenary uneasy. The Time Lord was suddenly in a very good mood and that made him dangerously unpredictable. At least when he was angry, his actions were clear, but in Payne's way of thinking, the Master was far more terrifying when he was calm. And, in spite of his own illustrious, if not infamous career, the Colonel had the distinct impression that it paled in comparison to that of his employer.
All this went through the mind of the Alterran mercenary as he removed the leads from Jason's frozen form. Stepping from the alcove, he began coiling up the wires, stacking them on a table. Occasionally, he would glance uneasily over to the alcove and its motionless occupant.
The Master found this reaction extremely amusing. "Does he make you nervous, Colonel Payne?" he taunted, receiving an icy stare in reply. This only added to his amusement. Turning a dial, he punched a button and a quick burst of energy was fired from the antenna.
The ray struck Jason in the chest and he returned to reality with a jolt, letting out a cry of alarm when he abruptly came to his senses and sagged in his bonds. He blinked and looked around dazedly, taking hold of his chains and hauling himself back to his feet. He suddenly noticed the electrodes were gone and looked over to the dark figure at the computer. "I take it you were successful?" he observed softly, leaning wearily back against the wall.
The Master was too absorbed in his work to take any notice of him. Colonel Payne was not, however, and eyed him in a way that made him feel distinctly uncomfortable. As the afternoon had worn on, Jason had been consoling himself with the certain knowledge that his captor would eventually end his suffering by having Payne shoot him. Now he was uncertain as to where he stood with the renegade Time Lord, who suddenly seemed to have forgotten his very existence.
"Do you want me to put him in a cell?" Payne inquired, with a distinct edge of resentment in his voice.
The Master looked up and glared at him, annoyed by the intrusion into his thoughts. "What?" Seeing the Colonel nod in Jason's direction, he waved a hand dismissively.
"Dispose of him."

Chapter Eight
An Evening At The Ball

After a short nap, Kyska felt like she could take on the world, so long as the Doctor and Anon were close by. When she learned Jason still hadn't returned, she became worried. It wasn't like him to leave her on her own when he knew how nervous she was.
"Kyska, don't worry so much," the Doctor called from outside her room. "I'm sure you're just overreacting. Jason said it might take him a while, and asked me to look after you. I'm sure he'll join us--" He broke off when Kyska appeared in the doorway wearing a full length persimmon evening gown trimmed with lace and pearls. Her long black hair was pulled up on her head and interlaced with a string of pearls. Combined with her oriental appearance, the affect was stunning.
The Doctor was momentarily at a loss for words. "You look... positively radiant, my dear."
Kyska smiled in relief. "Oh, Doctor, I'm so nervous. I've got butterflies you wouldn't believe. I wish Jason were here," she added longingly.
At that moment Anon arrived wearing a white tuxedo complete with cane, gloves, and top hat. He, too, was at a loss for words when he saw the jittery young woman. With a broad smile, he gave a courtly bow and kissed her hand. "My dear Lady Kyska, may I have the honor of escorting you to the ball?"
Kyska giggled, relaxing slightly. As she started to leave, she glanced back at the Doctor with a look of uncertainty.
"Go on," the Time Lord encouraged. "Jason's probably there already and wondering where we are."

* * *

"Well, what are you waiting for, Payne?" the Master snapped impatiently. "You wanted to kill him. Get on with it."
"In my own way?"
His tone intrigued the Master. "Is it possible that you have some glimmer of intelligence with which to be creative?" he asked condescendingly. "Or are you as unimaginative as the rest of your race?"
The Colonel's icy smile was fixed. He went over to the console and changed the settings. "Tell me, Master," he asked mildly, "have you ever witnessed a misfire?" He looked down at the bewildered Time Lord and then slowly returned his gaze to the alcove.
Jason's eyes were wide in horror, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. "No..." he breathed, shaking his head. "No, you wouldn't...you wouldn't!" He pulled vainly at the chains securing him against the wall and from which he was now powerless to escape. "No, please..." he begged. "Don't do this!"
Payne gave him an evil smile, and with the greatest of satisfaction stabbed the control console.
"Noooo!" Jason screamed as a blue beam was fired, engulfing him completely. His body shimmered as it usually did when he transmuted, only it immediately stated to fizzle out, sending shock waves of searing pain throughout his entire body. A shriek of agony was torn from his throat as his body distorted in shape, slipping free of the chains and falling to the floor, where he continued to writhe in pain.
The Master dispassionately watched his prisoner's agony as Payne explained about a misfire. Unlike the energy weapons that shatter the crystalline lattice instantly, a misfire caused the total devastation of the molecular structure. Initially it left its victim completely helpless, and if left untreated, a very slow and extremely unpleasant death would follow.
When the shimmering finally faded, Jason's body returned to its human appearance and he slumped limply back onto the floor, completely drained of energy and gasping for breath. He felt sick and dizzy and was unable to move at all. He lay on the floor gazing vacantly up at the ceiling, only vaguely aware when Payne came to stand over him, apparently to gloat. Suddenly Jason realized he wasn't afraid anymore, feeling oddly detached from reality, content in the certain knowledge that his own death was inevitable, and he welcomed it as an end to his torment. They couldn't hurt him anymore.
He was wrong.
"By the way," came Payne's taunting voice, "don't worry about your family. I'll make sure your father knows where to find the pieces."
Jason stared in horror at his own murderer, the words "your father" suddenly crashing into his benumbed brain like a thunderclap. His father! This thought was even more horrifying than anything else they could have done to him. The words echoed through his mind; bouncing, refracting, jumbling together, tumbling over and over until the black void he prayed for finally and mercifully swallowed him.

* * *

The Doctor arrived at the ball shortly after Kyska and Anon. The enormous room was just as jammed with people as the Gathering Hall had been earlier. The event was exactly as Jason described; a collection of dignitaries and courtiers strutting like peacocks. The costumes were as varied as their wearers, diverse and quite extraordinary, the Doctor thought as he took in the colorful display. There were jewels, feathers, miles of silks and velvets, gold and silver trappings and much, much more in the swirling mass of visitors. Somewhere in the crush was Kyska, who not only managed to find the Doctor, but somehow persuaded him to dance with her. Only once, of course. He did not want Anon to get jealous. Or so he claimed.
The Doctor had been keeping watch for the Master the whole time and had not realizing until he was on the dance floor that there was a gallery above the ballroom.
While the Doctor was looking for the Master, Kyska was looking for her cousin, and found no trace. No one seemed to have seen him since their arrival that morning. Not even the Palace Guardsmen. Seeing the Doctor in the crowd once again, Kyska excused herself and hurried over to him.
"Doctor, I can't find Jason anywhere!" she exclaimed, now frantic with worry. The Time Lord did not seem to have heard her and she took hold of his arm and repeated her statement.
It was at that moment the Doctor had caught a glimpse of the Master on the balcony and was about to go after him when Kyska grabbed him. He was torn between putting her off or putting off his own trip up the stairs. The note of panic in her voice was the deciding factor in his choosing the latter.
"I've looked everywhere," the young woman was saying hysterically.
"Alright, just calm down," the Doctor soothed. "Let's go out into the hall so we don't have to shout at one another." As he led her out into the corridor, he shot a quick glance up to the gallery, seeing, to his annoyance, the Master had vanished.
Taking a seat on a bench, Kyska told of her long, fruitless search, explaining how all of the palace staff knew her cousin on sight, his having practically grown up with the King. "I know I tease him all the time, Doctor," Kyska said guiltily, "but I do love him."
"Of course you do, my dear," the Time Lord replied gently. "But if he'd met an old girlfriend, as you thought..."
Kyska shook her head. "He'd still be here. He has this silly idea that I need protecting. Uncle Aaron calls him the Guardian of the Krystovans, because he's always looking out for us all. His cousins, I mean."
"And you're sure--" The Doctor never finished this thought. Kyska suddenly burst into tears.
"I just know something terrible's happened," she sobbed. "He never should've gone near those wretched energy barriers, the silly idiot. Why must he always run to danger?"
"Now let's not go jumping to conclusions," the Time Lord admonished gently, pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to the sobbing girl. He patted her on the shoulders. "I'll tell you what. You go back--"
Kyska looked up sharply and opened her mouth to object. The Doctor put a finger to her lips and shushed her, saying firmly, "You go back and enjoy yourself. I'll go look for Jason."
Reluctantly, Kyska agreed and returned to the ballroom. The Doctor watched her go and sighed heavily. He would much rather have been looking for the Master, he thought, wondering why his enemy had so abruptly resurfaced only to disappear again. Still, he had given Kyska his word...
Rising to his feet, the Time Lord walked slowly away from the noisy ballroom. It shouldn't be too difficult to find the wandering Healer, he thought. Not if the palace staff already knew him on sight. He decided to start with Jason's last known location and go on from there, making straight for the detention area. With any luck, the boy was still there.

Chapter Nine
The Search

The Master had been to the ball, come back and was working at the computer console when Colonel Payne finally returned to the lab, a smug expression on his face.
"Now, if you've quite finished indulging yourself," the Time Lord said sarcastically, "perhaps we can get on with the task at hand. There's still a great deal more to be done."
Payne merely grinned. He had been enjoying himself immensely, savoring every minute of his revenge, and was not about to let this condescending Time Lord spoil it so soon after he'd finished. "Did you have a good time at the ball, my Lord Masters?" he mocked as he went to his command desk.
The Master ground his teeth. "This laboratory must be completely dismantled, Colonel. I want no trace of its ever having existed. Do you think your men can handle that?"

* * *

In the detention area, the Doctor learned that there had been no accident and, therefore, Healer Jason had not been sent for. Now it was the Doctor's turn to start worrying. Who was the guard that had come to the suite? Who sent him? And why? These and dozens of other questions popped into the Time Lord's mind as he made his way from the detention area. He stopped to take stock of the situation, drawing a deep breath.
"You certainly have a lot of questions, Doctor," he said with a sigh. "It's unfortunate that you don't have any answers." He stared down at the floor, deep in thought. Then something about the floor caught his attention and he studied it more carefully. The corridor ahead of him was obviously no longer used. There was a thick layer of dust and dirt evenly settled upon it. Glancing back the way he had come, the Doctor saw the floor tracked with mud, dirty footprints and scuff marks. On closer inspection of the disused hallway, he could just make out some fresh footprints in the settled dust. His curiosity aroused, he followed the faint trail, eventually ending up at the Master's lab.
The door to the lab was slightly ajar and the Doctor could hear muffled voices coming from inside. He crept over to listen at the crack, feeling certain he heard the Master's voice in the muffled conversation. He was so intent upon hearing his enemy, he failed to hear the mercenary guardsmen who came quietly behind him. Drawing his weapon, the guard fired and the Time Lord crumpled to the ground.

* * *

Kyska returned to the ballroom but was no longer in the mood for dancing. She went over to the sitting area, choosing a seat in an isolated corner were she could think.
"There you are!" Anon exclaimed, bounding over to her. Seeing the expression on her face, he asked concernedly, "What's the matter?"
Kyska gave him a watery smile. She had been trying to do as the Doctor said and not worry. But he didn't know Jason the way she did and she was certain he hadn't taken her concerns seriously. After all, didn't he say she was overreacting. Then again...perhaps she was.
"Kyss?" Anon ventured when she did not answer. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm just being silly."
"Never."
"It's Jason."
Anon rolled his eyes and groaned. He had dealt with the Guardian of the Krystovans before and it was not an experience he cared to repeat. It wasn't that Jason was a bad sort, really. In fact, he was rather nice, and Anon actually liked him. But he could be so overprotective where his cousins were concerned. His having called to Anon earlier was, the young man hoped, a good sign. Now he wasn't so sure.
Trying to keep the edge out of his voice, Anon asked, "What about him?"
"He's missing. At least...I think he's missing. Nobody's seen him since we arrived this morning." Looking up, she said, "You know how he is. He promised he'd be here, but I can't find him anywhere. And he hasn't left any messages. Not a word!" Kyska was on the verge of tears again and looked down at the handkerchief the Doctor had given her.
Anon was distressed by this seemingly sudden anxiety and took a seat beside her.
"The Doctor went to look for him," Kyska went on. "He said I shouldn't worry, but I can't! Oh, Anon, what am I going to do?" She burst into tears, falling into the arms of the bewildered young man, who held her a moment, not exactly sure what to do himself. Anon found himself wondering if Jason had staged the whole thing to give him time alone with Kyska. If so, he was being terribly cruel not to at least send an excuse, no matter how feeble. Looking at the distraught young woman beside him, Anon decided, whatever the reason, it was time to force the Guardian back into the light of day.
Taking Kyska's face in his hands, Anon said, "First, you need to stop crying. There's nothing that says we can't look too, now is there?" He then rose to his feet and held out a hand.
Kyska looked down at herself and then at her escort. "We can't go like this," she said practically.
Anon laughed. "Now you are being silly. We'll have to change first. Come on, lets go."

* * *

The Master was ranting to Colonel Payne when the Doctor came to his senses and he feigned unconsciousness in order to listen to what was being said. Chancing a quick peek through partially closed eyes, the Doctor discovered he was lying on a table in a lab of some sort, his hands having been bound in front of him. It soon became apparent his rival didn't have the slightest idea as to who he was, and Stinson, who was the only person who could identify him and connect him with Jason was, by some fortuitous happenstance, not present. The Doctor smiled inwardly, knowing how his enemy would react were he to learn his true identity.
"Who the devil is he?" the Master demanded. "And which one of your moronic minions let him get down this far in the first place?"
The Doctor decided to take his cue and moaned. "What happened?" he asked meekly.
Payne grabbed hold of him and yanked him up, snarling a half dozen questions at him. The Doctor groaned inwardly. How these military types loved to use intimidation, he thought wearily, deciding his best plan of action was to play dumb. He might even throw in a little cowardice for good measure, he thought devilishly.
The captive Time Lord shrank back, whimpering and hiding his face behind his bound hands. "Please, don't hurt me," he begged pitifully, giving what he believed to be an excellent performance as he babbled on.
The Master lost his patience, shoving the mercenary aside. "Colonel Payne, you're frightening him," he said reprovingly. He pulled his cowering prisoner's hands gently away from his face and began speaking to him in a low, hypnotic voice, much to the Doctor's disappointment. This was all so much child's play, he thought, and not very original, either. The hot and cold method was so trite and unimaginative. Quite unworthy of the Master. Even so, the Doctor played along, nodding his head slowly and answering dreamily at all the right places. When the interrogation was over, he was quite proud of himself.
The Master was equally proud of himself, have no idea that the entire interrogation was a sham.
"Now want?" Payne wanted to know, echoing the Doctor's very thoughts.
"Now...?" The Master considered a moment. "Now, nothing. He's nothing more than a petty criminal with even less brains than you have."
Payne gritted his teeth and let this remark pass. He drew his weapon, aiming it at the Doctor's head. "If he's of no use to us, then I'll dispose of him, too."
The captive Time Lord heard the energy gun powering up and tensed, ready to dive from the table the instant the mercenary fired. He calculated his chances of getting to the door were tipped slightly in his favor as he would have the element of surprise on his side.
The Doctor never found out if his calculations were correct. At that moment, the Master intervened. "No, Colonel, not yet. He may be of some use to me later." He waved a hand as he headed to the far door, ordering, "Put him in a cell. I'll decide what to do with him when the time comes."

* * *

The Doctor was taken down to what he perceived to be the old dungeons, thinking that no matter how advanced a society became there always seemed to be the remnants of a dark past lurking in the shadows. His escorts stopped in front of a heavy metal door, one of the guards pulling it wide open while another roughly shoved him inside, sending him down to the floor. He turned just in time to see the door slammed shut, hearing a loud clank as the bolt was thrown into place. His bonds weren't very secure and before he even picked himself up off the floor, he had he escaped from them.
The darkened cell was illuminated only by the moonlight that came in through a small window set high in the wall, which made it difficult for the Doctor to see around himself. He stood silently in the darkness, waiting for his eyes to become accustomed to the gloom. The eerie silence was broken when he thought he heard some movement and he listened more closely, hearing a distinct rustling sound from across the room. He began searching his pockets for a better source of light, wondering absently if he might be keeping company with a family of rats as he pulled a flashlight from one of his capacious pockets. The Doctor turned its beam in the direction of the sound, expecting to see nothing more than a rodent or two. What he did see almost caused him to drop the flashlight in alarm. The light came to rest on what can only be described as a formless, colorless blob sitting in the center of a mat in the far corner of the room.

Chapter Ten
In A Cell With…?

The Doctor swallowed hard, trying to decide if he should panic now or wait for a more suitable time. The blob also seemed to react to the sudden confrontation, quivering violently and then twisting and changing from a formless mass to a supine semi- humanoid form with arm- and leg-like appendages.
The Doctor cautiously drew nearer, wondering what manner of creature he had been imprisoned with. Colonel Payne had been the one to give his escort their orders, but he had been unable to hear what was said. Was it possible, despite the Master's orders, the mercenary had taken it upon himself to have him killed anyway?
The creature suddenly started to glow fiercely and the Doctor stopped short. He watched uneasily as his unexpected cell mate drew itself back into a formless lump.
After several minutes of this apparent standoff, the Doctor said softly, "Well, it's your move, old chap."
To his utter astonishment, there was a reply. The words were scarcely above a whisper and seemed to have been spoken with great effort, but they were very distinctly, "Help me."
The stunned Time Lord recovered himself quickly, mentally kicking himself for having assumed the worst. As he crossed the room, he noticed a table set against the wall that had an oil lamp upon it. Grateful for a better source of light, he lighted the lamp before continuing to the shifting mass in the corner.
"Help me...please..." the creature pleaded painfully as the Doctor knelt down beside it.
"How can I help you? Are you in pain?"
The form changed again, glowing fiercely and then twisting and flattening out as it went from a shapeless mass to semi-humanoid again. This operations was apparently very painful, the entity letting out a low groan as the contortions took place. An arm-like appendage reached out feebly in the Doctor's direction, but was unable to touch him. A second effort proved successful catching hold of his wrist.
"I'm...dying," it managed finally, clinging to the Time Lord for comfort. The flesh was cold and clammy and the Doctor had to fight the urge to pull free from the grasp of the poor, pathetic creature.
"Breakdown..." it struggled to say, "cohesion...breakdown." Unable to hold off the writhing movements any longer, the entity succumbed once again, releasing its grip on the Doctor who wondered just how close to death this creature actually was as another painful moan issued forth.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand," he said helplessly.
Settling down, the being (as the Doctor decided he would think of it) tried again and was able to communicate the words; table, bag, and brown bottle. Looking around the bare cell, the Doctor saw a bag sitting in a heap under the table from which he had taken the lamp. Inside he found several brown bottles.
"Which one?"
"Altrystizine. Bonding agent," came the forced reply. "Massive... injection. Hurry, please!"
There was a note of urgency that had not been there before and the Doctor sensed the end was very near. Digging into the pouch, he found a hypodermic pack and tore it open, filling the syringe with what he hoped was the correct dosage. He returned to the semi-humanoid being in the corner and knelt down. Before he could ask where to make the injection, an arm-like appendage presented itself. Mentally crossing his fingers, he injected the medication into the proffered limb.
The Time Lord had not even finished when the being said, "Another."
The Doctor hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," came the labored reply. "Give me...all."
Although filled with misgivings, the Doctor did as instructed, injecting the remaining contents of the bottle into the "arm" of the dying creature.
"Thank-you," the entity said gratefully, adding startlingly, "Doctor."
The Doctor's mouth dropped open. "How...did you know my--?" Before he could complete his question, the creature drew itself into a ball and convulsed violently, glowing brightly and then going completely dark. It writhed and twisted to such a degree that the Doctor feared he had only succeeding in killing not curing the already dying being. It writhed a moment longer and then flattened out into a semi-humanoid form, only this time, it was more distinctly human in appearance. The arms had hands and then fingers. The legs had feet, and the head was developing vague facial features. The form still had no color, but it was very definitely humanoid.
The being suddenly thrashed even more violently, hands reaching out blindly, legs kicking, the body arching and twisting as if it were fighting off an unseen attacker. The whole time it made sounds as if in the most excruciating pain. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the thrashing ceased and the entity fell limply back onto the mat, going completely still.
The Doctor was both distressed and spellbound by the amazing metamorphosis. Since he could do little more than watch, he took a seat on the floor close by. The entity shivered and then drew itself into a fetal position before going deathly still. It was only then that the Doctor became aware of the chill in the air inside the damp prison cell and he removed his coat, placing it over the being who was either unconscious or unable to communicate any longer.
The Time Lord studied the fascinating incarnation before him, reasoning the changes were turning themselves inward. This was immediately verified as the extraordinary being started to breathe visibly. The Doctor found a weak, steady pulse, and even while he was holding it, the arm became warm in his hand. Color started to come to the limbs. Hair took shape and darkened. Fingernails appeared, and the violent, and apparently painful, thrashing stopped altogether.
The Doctor reasoned the person taking shape before his very eyes was very likely in some sort of therapeutic coma induced by the medication. Not knowing how long the entire transformation would take, he settled back to wait.

* * *

The room at the far end of the Master's lab had been converted into an office, which he used as his base of operations. It contained a desk, a chair, a file cabinet, and a table stacked with papers, most of which were covered with notes and calculations. He was pouring over one such stack of papers when Payne appeared in the doorway, his face grave.
"Master," the Colonel said darkly, "my men have come across another problem."

* * *

Several hours had past from when the Doctor administered the injection to when the young man who now lay upon the mat finally opened his eyes. His hands were in front of his face and he stared at them in mute astonishment, touching his face and hair, scarcely believing he was still alive.
It was only just dawn and a small amount of light was coming through the cell window, mingling with the glow of the still burning oil lamp. From his position on the floor, the newly formed being was unable to see the Doctor, who had fallen asleep against the wall just beside him. He tried to rise, only to find he didn't have the strength and dropped back to the mat. It was only then that he noticed the coat that was covering him and remembered its owner.
"Doctor?" he ventured quietly. "Doctor, are you still here?"
The Doctor awoke with a start, sitting up quickly and looming unexpectedly over the prostrate youth, who shrank back fearfully, covering his head with his hands.
"There's no need to be frightened," the Time Lord said mildly. "I'm not going to harm you."
"Thank goodness for that," came the relieved reply as the young man struggled to sit up. The Doctor helped him up, receiving yet another shock when the boy looked up at him.
It was Jason.