by Andie J. P. Frankham

Episode Four

‘Gallifreya, allow me to introduce you to the leader of the Millennium People – the Forum Boss!’ The Doctor pointed at the large body that was once his, and could not help but smile smugly at the look of surprise on his old bearded face.

‘How did you…’ the Boss began.

‘What does it matter?’

Ruby went to move forward. ‘Doctor, what’s going on here?’

The Doctor held up an arm to ward her off. ‘Stay there, Ruby.’ He looked at the Boss, and with much flair, he sank to one knee. ‘I offer up my services to the Millennium People.’

Ruby let out a gasp. She did not know a great deal about the Millennium People, but there was something telling her that they did not mean well. ‘Doctor, you can’t!’

‘I can, Ruby. What you said earlier was true. What do I owe my people?’ He looked up at the Boss. ‘When I last saw my people they put me on trial, and now it is time I got my own back.’ He turned his eyes down. ‘I wish to assist you and the Millennium People in the destruction of Outpost Gallifrey.’

Gasps bounced around the Hall. The Elders turned to face their president. Ruby looked to the floor, ashamed and confused. Rewunderer and Shinjiru looked at each other in shock. No one could believe their ears.

The man formerly known as the Doctor, looked down at the man now known as the Doctor. Softly he started to chuckle. Within seconds that chuckle erupted into a full-on bellow of mirth. ‘What are you doing? Are you insane?’

The Doctor looked up at the Boss. ‘Some may say,’ he muttered.

The Boss, despite everything, was still the lawfully invested president of the Gallifreya, and as such he turned his attention to his subjects. ‘Elders, you have checked my credentials. You know I’m who I say I am. I am the Doctor and, lest I need to remind you, your president.’ He pointed a large finger down at the Doctor. ‘This clone has degenerative DNA. It is starting to affect his reasoning.’

The Elders began to mutter to each other. Moulivia looked at them, then stepped forward to address the Boss. Before she could speak someone said;

‘Yuk! Not the best way to travel.’

All heads turned to look at the woman who had materialised in the Hall. She was clothed in a piece of silk that was draped over her body, long luxurious black hair ran down her back, and a crown of daisies sat on her head.

‘Poor me,’ she continued. ‘Could have got all frazzled.’

‘You!’ gasped the Boss, who could not hide the surprise on his stolen features. The Doctor stood behind him, and offered a slight wave at the woman, smiling smugly all the while.

Ruby watched the exchange, and noticed that the woman with the daisy crown also smiled, although it soon became apparent that no one but Ruby had noticed the exchange between the Doctor and the newcomer. Something was going on, and Ruby made a promise to herself to find out what.

‘Yes, me!’ The woman stepped forward and looked around the Great Hall. ‘So this is Outpost Gallifrey. Very nice, indeed.’ She noticed the look on the Boss’ face. ‘Oh, sorry, not expecting me were you?’

‘What happened to the… erm… ambassador?’ the Boss asked.

‘Oh, there’s been a change of plan. I’m here to represent the Millennium People now, Lord President.’

Her sarcastic use of the title did not go wasted on Ruby, who returned her attention to the Doctor. He was still standing behind the Boss, all but forgotten, his arms folded.

The Boss cleared his throat. ‘Yes… well… erm…’ He was at a loss for words.

Moulivia interceded. ‘This is irregular, but there you go.’ She nodded to the woman. ‘On behalf of the Gallifreya, the Elders welcome you to Outpost Gallifrey. Do you have a name?’

The woman smiled, her eyes twinkling. ‘Not as such. I’m the Goddess of Dreamers.’

‘Hmm,’ the President said, regarding the Goddess with a curious eye. ‘Well, then, since you’re here instead… Would you care for a tour of Outpost Gallifrey?’

The Goddess of Dreamers walked across the hall, her silk dress flowing around her. ‘Oh, that would be delightful, Doctor... sorry, I mean Mister President.’ She bowed briefly. ‘Wouldn’t miss it for anything.’

‘Good.’ The President turned to his Elders. ‘Go and prepare the rooms for the meeting. Meanwhile I shall show the ambassador around.’

The Elders bowed in acknowledgement and made to leave the Hall. All except Moulivia. She stood her ground, her gaze drifting from the Goddess to the man who was her president, and the Doctor who remained nearby the President, smiling softly. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. Something was wrong.

‘Lord President,’ she said as she stepped forward, sarcasm dripping from every word. ‘Allow me to give the Goddess the tour. I do, after all, know Outpost Gallifrey better than you. And it will give you plenty of time to prepare yourself for the meeting.’ She smiled the most condescending smile she could manage.

‘That will not be…’ The President stopped. As she looked at him, he could see the suspicion in her eyes. If he insisted the suspicion would grow, and he could not afford that as this time. Instead he smiled, doing his best to hide his frustration. ‘Yes, a capital idea!’

‘I thought so,’ Moulivia said.

The President took a deep breath, and looked around the Hall. His eyes came to rest on the Doctor, who had joined his companions. ‘See to it they are put under guard!’ he snapped, the frustration pouring out. ‘And this time don’t let any of them go anywhere.’

That said the ersatz president stormed out of the Hall.

The door of Rewunderer’s room whooshed open and the Doctor entered, followed closely by Shinjiru, Ruby and Rewunderer. Once they were inside the door closed, and a beep issued from the corridor outside. The door was locked, and guards had been placed outside.

The Doctor looked around the room, smiled once he espied the comfortable looking chair, and sat down. Shinjiru looked at Rewunderer, and they both smiled.

‘Can we get you a drink, Doctor?’ Rewunderer asked.

The Doctor looked up from the chair. ‘That would be wonderful.’

Rewunderer smiled, and nodded at Shinjiru. She widened her eyes. ‘Oh, I’ll get it then, shall I?’ She walked out to the kitchen area.

Completely ignoring Ruby, who was staring daggers into the back of the Doctor’s chair, Rewunderer walked over to the Doctor and sat down in the other chair. ‘I’ve got all your adventures on the holo-visualiser. Would you like to watch them?’

‘Have you indeed?’ The Doctor nodded. ‘Oh yes, that would be lovely.’ He glanced over his shoulder at Ruby, as Rewunderer set up the time-visualiser. ‘Pull up a chair, Ruby, this should be quite exciting. Had some fun old adventures in my other bodies.’

Ruby shook her head, unable to believe how laid back the Doctor was being. ‘Never mind the bloody adventures you used to have, Doctor. What about what’s going on out there?’ She pointed at the door. ‘Unless I am mistaken, those Millennium People are planning something. Something that means bad news for your people…’ She walked over to him. ‘What’s going on? One minute you want to stop them, and next you’re pledging your allegiance!’

‘A lot of good that did, eh?’ The Doctor smiled again, quite pleased with himself.

Ruby threw her hands up in the air. ‘Oh, I don’t understand a thing about this.’

‘There is a plan at work here, Ruby, a bigger plan than the Boss realises. Only, it is not mine.’

‘Whose then?’

The Doctor rubbed his earlobe and thought for a second. Finally he said; ‘While Rewunderer is sorting out which adventure to show us, let me explain a few things to you.’

Then.

Slowly, with something approaching anxiety, the Doctor turned around to confront the owner of the voice.

It was as he thought. Standing before him, dressed in trainers, jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket, was a young man with an angular face, on top of which sat black hair with nuclear red tips. It was a man that the Doctor had last seen being set upon by several Kuang-Shi.

‘Bradley,’ the Doctor breathed.

‘Hey, you know how you used to call me that? I never did really like it. How about Brad? Only my mom and dad call me Bradley, Doc.’

The Doctor regarded the young man before him. ‘Your mom and dad? I was not aware you had any parents.’

The young man laughed. ‘Well, no, that’s true. But, well, while I took on the mantle of Brad I did. At least, I had the memories of parents.’ He winked. ‘But we both know that ain’t true, eh, Doc?’

Something was off key about “Bradley” the Doctor realised. This was not the cold-blooded killer he had left in the church in London. The Doctor smiled. ‘Well, this is the day for reunions. First Nick, and then Alf… well, in a manner of speaking. Just need Falex to turn up and I will have had a complete set.’ He stepped forward and reached out a hand. ‘Brad, it is very good to see you again.’

Brad grinned. ‘Same here, Doc, gooder than you can imagine!’

‘Gooder?’ the Doctor enquired. ‘What sort of English is that?’

‘Hey, I’m playing an American, remember? Thought I’d go for Sunnydale English.’ Brad laughed, and instead of taking the hand the Doctor was offering, he grabbed hold of the Doctor and hugged him.

Once the hugging was done, the Doctor said; ‘I never did thank you for giving me those memories of a living Brad. It was a shame that they did no last, though. Instead I ended up with two sets of memories. One where Brad died on Nova Mondas, and one where he left me on good terms.’

Brad shrugged. ‘Well, neither of them is strictly true.’ He looked down the corridor. ‘Anyway, we’ve things to do. Let’s go.’

Suddenly they were elsewhere. Lush fields of green grass had replaced the silver corridor of Outpost Gallifrey. The Doctor looked up at the sky, but instead of the brilliant blue and perfect clouds he had expected, he saw a dazzling display of colour, as clouds of all shapes and sizes danced in a sky that acted like it could not decide what colour it wanted to be.

‘Do you recognise this place, Doc?’ Brad asked.

The Doctor shook his head.

‘Well, I guess it’s been a while since you first brought me here.’ Brad waved his hands around. ‘Welcome back to Forum World.’

The wonder in the Doctor’s eyes faded. ‘The home of the Millennium People. So Nick was right, then? It is they who resurrected my previous incarnation.’

Brad shook his head. ‘No. Well, yes and no. Nick is right, but that’s no surprise since he’s working for me. But your old incarnation has not been resurrected, instead the Forum Boss has taken possession of your dead body, so that he could get to Outpost Gallifrey.’

The Doctor rubbed his earlobe. ‘Hmm. Well, that is one good thing, I suppose. Just the thought that I was somehow being used by the Millennium People.’ He looked at Brad sharply. ‘What is their plan for Outpost Gallifrey? Its destruction?’

Brad nodded his head slowly. ‘Yes, but I wouldn’t worry yourself about it. It won’t happen.’ He placed a hand on the Doctor’s shoulder. ‘You do remember what I am, don’t you?’

‘Yes. As I said, the new memories you gave me did not hold for very long. You are a Dommervoy.’

‘Not just any Dommervoy. I’m one of the Dommervoy Loci – one of the four. My real name is Static.’ In the blink of an eye Brad’s appearance had changed. No longer was he the young, angular man. Instead he was a tall and thin figure, dressed in a suit. The face was taut with a permanently fixed grin. The Doctor took a step back, having forgotten just how disturbing the Dommervoy could appear – even compared to his recent encounter with a statue.

‘Do you remember now?’ Static asked, the voice still the same as when he was Brad, although the mouth did not move.

‘Yes, I remember.’

‘I’m glad, saves me explaining that away. Now, I can’t really walk around Forum World looking like this.’ Again, as fast as the eye could blink, Static took on another form. This one the Doctor also remembered, from his original visit to Forum World. It was the appearance of the Faceless One, the Millennium People who had been but one facet of the Dommervoy Loci known as Static. ‘Come, Doctor, I have to take you to see a Goddess. Things are happening that you both need to be aware of.’

As they traversed the hills that led to the Goddess’ home, strange things happened. The vibrant colours faded until the sky was little more than a drab patch of greyness. All around them, the grass became weathered, the green becoming dirty and dark. The Doctor enquired what this could mean, but the Faceless One chose not to answer. Instead he simply gave the Doctor a very disturbed look, and urged him to walk faster.

Finally they reached the home of the Goddess. In times past, the Doctor expected, the house must have looked like a mansion, resplendent, with fine livery. But now, due to whatever was happening to Forum World, the building was a crumbling mess.

The Doctor stopped, mainly to get back his breath. ‘Are you going to tell me what is going on, or not?’

The Faceless One looked back. ‘Not yet, Doctor,’ he said, and turned back to the old building. ‘All will become clear once we are…’

‘Once we are what?’

There was no answer, just a sharp intake of breath. The Doctor walked over to investigate, for once realising how Ruby must feel when he refused to tell her things straight away. As the Doctor drew near to the Faceless One, the reason for the sudden closure of the conversation became readily apparent.

Lying in the dark grass was a naked man. The Doctor rushed over to him, removing his black coat as he did so. He laid the coat over the man, covering his modesty, and knelt on the grass. The man opened his eyes.

‘I know…’ He coughed. ‘They will destroy… argh… us.’

‘Who will? What do you know?’ the Doctor asked, urgently.

The Faceless One knelt beside the Doctor and reached out a hand to the man. ‘Be at peace,’ he said and the man closed his eyes.

The Doctor watched, looking for signs of breathing. But the man had breathed his last.

The Doctor pulled the coat over the man’s face, and turned to glare at the Faceless One. ‘This is enough! I want to know what is going on, and I want to know now.’ He pointed at the dead man. ‘He is one of the Millennium People – they cannot die. They are immortal. Gods, so they like to say.’

The Faceless One nodded solemnly. ‘You are quite correct. He was the Innocent, and as the name suggests one of our must naïve and honest People.’ He rose to his feet. ‘Things are no longer perfect. This paradise is coming to an end, Doctor, and we both need to heal it.’

The Doctor, too, stood up. ‘We?’

‘Yes, we. Nick guided you to Outpost Gallifrey for a reason.’

‘Yes, to stop the Millennium People.’

‘No. To help them.’ The Faceless One smiled at the look of surprise on the Doctor’s face. ‘The Innocent’s death is the first of many, Doctor. The Millennium People are about to be torn asunder, by corruption from within. But there is hope, and it lies with your people.’ He waved toward the crumbling building. ‘Come, the Goddess awaits us.’

The Doctor was not surprised by how distraught and confused the Goddess of Dreamers appeared. According to her, one moment her home was perfect, and the next it was the crumbling mess in which they stood. Her distress was lifted slightly by the sight of the Faceless One, one of the People that had been lost many years ago. The joy did not last long, once he told her about the death of the Innocent.

‘Oh dear,’ she said, his voice expressing how horrified she felt. ‘Our People do not die. What is happening to Forum World?’

‘The Innocent learned the truth of what the Boss is planning,’ the Faceless One explained.

‘And that truth is?’ the Doctor asked.

The Faceless One looked to the Goddess. ‘Tell him.’

She seemed uncertain, but the Faceless One continued to urge her on. Finally, she said; ‘The Boss intends to destroy Outpost Gallifrey, for he believes that they pose a threat to our position in the universe. First he will convince the Gallifreya to lower their defences, long enough for the Supreme Goddess to join him. Once she is there, she will act like an ambassador, trying to find peace between our two Peoples. After the Gallifreya are convinced, then chosen Millennium People will arrive on Outpost Gallifrey. And from there we will destroy the Gallifreya.’ As she spoke there was no sign of remorse or doubt in her voice, but the Doctor noticed that her started to change colour. From auburn to black and back again. ‘It is as it should be. This universe does not need Gallifreyans to oversee Time. The Millennium People are all the universe needs. We bring about chaos and change… and evolution.’

The Doctor shook his head, disgusted. ‘You do not have the right the decide who lives and dies!’

The Goddess of Dreamers regarded him. ‘I’m afraid you are mistaken.’

‘Actually, no, he isn’t,’ the Faceless One commented. The Goddess and the Doctor both looked at him. He smiled. ‘The Boss is corrupt, as is the Supreme Goddess. Their power and thirst for change has warped their reasoning. Yet they are still clever enough to convince you and many other Millennium People that they are right.’ He let this settle in, glad to see that doubt was beginning to show on the Goddess’ face, and her hair settled on black. ‘Ready for some truth, Doctor?’

‘Oh, now let me think about that. Do I have time for that?’ The Doctor pulled up his shirt sleeve and checked his watch. ‘Yes, I think I just about have some time for that,’ he said, with a smile.

‘The Boss is very much mistaken. Destroying the Gallifreya is the worst thing that could possibly happen. The destinies of both the Millennium People and the Gallifreya are so connected that they may as well be one. And this destiny can only come about by having non-corrupt Millennium People in the presence of the Gallifreya, and vice versa.’

‘Which is why you let Nick stay with me?’

The Faceless One raised an eyebrow. ‘He told you about that?’

The Doctor nodded. ‘Not at the time. But when he turned up on Outpost Gallifrey he told that you made him human, and then all you have done to him since. This is all part of that big plan?’

‘Yes. What did Nick call it when I told him?’ The Faceless One thought for a second, then continued with a grin. ‘Oh yes, the Dommervoy Masterplan. Nick was the first of the Millennium People to evolve, and you were to be the first Time Lord to evolve. But you went and died.’

The Doctor shrugged. ‘Sorry, was not planned.’

The Faceless One chuckled. ‘It was.’

‘True, but it was not my plan.’

‘No, it wasn’t. But we have made use of your death. Your DNA is now the perfect example of the evolved Time Lord. The first true Gallifreya.’

‘It is... I am?’ The Doctor looked himself over. ‘And what does that mean exactly?’

‘In the long run it means you have powers and abilities you haven’t even dreamed about. But for right now it means that by being here you have started the evolution of this particular Millennium People.’ He pointed at the Goddess, whose eyes widened in surprise. ‘Don’t be too shocked. You’ll be glad for it in the long run.’

She shook her head. ‘No, it’s not that. I’ve just remembered. The Supreme Goddess is all set to go to Outpost Gallifrey.’

‘Right then.’ The Faceless One turned to the Doctor. ‘You must now return to Outpost Gallifrey. Sow some discord between the Boss and the Elders, give him something of a setback.’ He looked at the Goddess. ‘You and I shall stop the Supreme Goddess. It’s your turn to go the ball, not hers.’

Now.

‘And that, my dear Ruby, is why I acted like I did in the Great Hall,’ the Doctor concluded.

Ruby could not help but smile. ‘Well, it certainly worked, pet. I don’t think that Moulivia much trusts her president anymore.’

‘Indeed not,’ the Doctor agreed, ruefully. ‘I daresay she is getting as much as she can out of the Goddess of Dreamers. Which, I hope, will be everything she knows.’

‘But, there’s just one thing I’m unclear on. What is this evolution and destiny Brad was talking about?’

‘We’re ready, Doctor,’ Rewunderer piped in. The Doctor glanced over at him and noticed a hologram come into being on the wall behind Rewunderer. Just then Shinjiru re-entered the room, carrying a tray of drinks.

‘Thank you,’ the Doctor said, and turned back to Ruby. ‘I am not entirely sure, myself, although I have a few ideas. Still, shall we enjoy some old stories? Let things play out on their own for a little while.’ He patted Ruby on the leg and turned to the hologram, which showed an old man with flowing white hair.

The man on the screen, the first incarnation of the Doctor, had his back to three people who stood by the TARDIS. He muttered to himself. ‘Doctor who? What’s he talking about?’

In another room on Outpost Gallifrey, another hologram was activated. But this hologram was not a portal into the past, rather a communication device. In this case communication for the Boss to his own People on Forum World. He stood there, expecting to see the visage of the Supreme Goddess appear, instead he found himself looking at the wide-eyed face of the Forum Fool.

‘Where is the Supreme Goddess?’ the Boss snapped.

The Fool put a finger to his mouth. ‘Geographically or metaphorically?’

‘I haven’t got time for this! Get me the Supreme Goddess!’ the Boss bellowed.

The Fool’s smile fell. ‘But we haven’t learned where she is yet. Can’t we discuss her metaphorical location?’

‘No we cannot!’

‘Oh.’ The Fool thought for a second, then smiled as something came to mind. ‘What about a game? If you get three right answers I might tell you where the Supreme Goddess is.’

‘Damn you!’ the Boss hissed and sent out a thought impulse that closed off the hologram.

He spun round and clicked his fingers. Before him appeared a large ball, made up of tendrils of pure energy. Trapped inside that ball was Nick. The Boss narrowed his eyes.

‘What have you done?’

Nick looked up from his snooze. ‘Me? What could I do? I’ve been stuck in here for ages.’

The Boss snarled and snapped his fingers. The tendrils of energy swung in on themselves, striking Nick continuously. ‘I know you have something to do with it. You will suffer until you tell me.’

The only response Nick could offer were cries of pain as the tendrils continued to lash him.

The little hobo with the mop of black hair came to an abrupt halt when he found he had come to a pair of doors. He tried the doors desperately, but they would not open. He turned round and looked at the green giants in front of him. The Martians raised their arms and pointed sonic guns at the little Doctor.

‘Stop!’ he said quickly

'You must be destroyed,' one of the Martians hissed.

'You... you've got no orders to kill me. Your leader will want to speak to me...'

'Humans are our enemies.'

'But I can be useful to you, like Fewsham. Your leader will be angry if you kill me. I... I’m a genius!’

The Doctor clapped his hands and nudged Ruby in the ribs. He pointed at his second incarnation on the holo-screen. ‘Brilliant! What wits I had back then.’ He laughed. ‘And as modest as ever.’

Ruby regarded the Doctor with a laconic smile. As much as she was interested in seeing what the Doctor used to look like, and as much as she enjoyed watching some of his old adventures, she could not help but get more than a little bit annoyed. They should be out there helping the Goddess, not sitting here looking at some “holiday” snaps.

The Doctor noticed Ruby’s scowl. ‘What is it?’

Ruby sighed. ‘Why are we still sitting here?’

‘Because we have not finished enjoying these wonderful little adventures that Rewunderer has been kind enough to show us.’

‘That’s not what I meant, Doctor, and you know it.’

‘OK, Ruby, I know. But as I said, there is a plan in motion. Trust me, when it is our turn to get involved once more we will both know. But now it is not.’ He looked Ruby in the eye. ‘Can we just enjoy this moment of peace?’

Ruby let out a sigh. ‘Oh, very well.’

‘Excellent.’ The Doctor turned back to the holo-screen. On it was a young man with blond hair, dressed in the clothes of an Edwardian cricketer. The Doctor recognised the face. It was his fifth incarnation – or rather a potential fifth incarnation from another reality, since he was currently enjoying his fifth incarnation in this reality.

The Fifth Doctor was standing in a dark cell, a young woman behind him. ‘Curiosity has always been my downfall,’ he was saying.

The Doctor cleared his throat and looked at Rewunderer. ‘Could we skip to another possible me?’ He did not want to explain why he found watching this incarnation uncomfortable, but every time he saw that young face he was reminded of the version he had once encountered. The Fifth Doctor who had become a twisted fighter, battling in a universe where the Daleks were winning.

Rewunderer nodded. ‘Anything. There are loads more.’

The image changed, to a rather bulky man in a blue outfit, with curly fair hair. The man turned to his female companion, a middle-aged woman wearing glasses and a cardigan. The woman, holding a letter in one hand, looked very distraught. The Sixth Doctor placed an arm around her. ‘OK, Evelyn, we shall go and see Sally. I’ll drop you off and give you a moment or two with her, ok?’

‘So, you see,’ the Boss was saying, quite certain that he still had the backing of the Elders, ‘an alliance with the Millennium People is the best thing that could happen to the Gallifreya.’

He surveyed the people in the room. The Elders sat around the table, muttering to each other. To his left sat Moulivia. Since entering the room she had said very little to him, instead talking only to the Goddess of Dreamers, who was now sitting to his right. At first the Boss was a little worried, wondering if the Goddess has spilled everything. But upon further reflection he wondered why he was getting so paranoid. After all, the Goddess of Dreamers was loyal to the Supreme Goddess, and therefore loyal to him. There had to be a good reason why she had been replaced, a reason he intended to learn when he had a moment alone with the Goddess of Dreamers. As for when he returned to Forum World… then the Fool would learn how foolish it was to delay the Forum Boss.

‘Think about it, the children of Gallifrey, powerful once more. More powerful than they have been for millennia. And this time, unlike how it was when the Time Lords ruled, getting involved. Policing time and space the way we were meant to. Ensuring that nothing like the Master incident can occur again.’

The Goddess clapped her hands and stood up. She looked to the Boss, who, playing out his role, bowed his head slightly and sat down. The Goddess rearranged her crown of daisies and addressed the Elders.

‘The President of the Gallifreya speaks well. It is with such great words of hope that he approached us. He told us of his plans for this universe, and they make sense to us. But…’ The Goddess of Dreamers looked down at the Boss, and smiled. ‘He is lying. He has no intention of creating a peace between our People and yours.’

The Boss’ mouth fell open. Beside him Moulivia rose to her feet.

‘The Goddess is correct. She has told me all about it.’ She pointed violently at the Boss. ‘He is, as the Doctor said, the Boss. The leader of the Millennium People. But he does not speak for the whole of his People, only for a minority. A minority corrupted by power.’ She looked at each of the Elders in turn. ‘And they wish to destroy the Gallifreya!’

The Boss jumped to his feet and struck out at the Goddess. The woman staggered backwards but did not fall over. Instead she stared at him, a smile on her face.

‘You see!’ Moulivia snapped.

The Boss turned on Moulivia and raised a hand, but he did not hit her. Instead he held his palm out, and a surge of light shot out and slammed into Moulivia’s face. She fell back, knocking her chair over, and hit the floor with a bump. The Boss looked down at her, surprise all over his face.

‘How? That should have vaporised you.’

The Goddess tutted. ‘You really have no idea, have you?’ The Boss turned on the Goddess, but she continued, unfazed by his glare. ‘Things are happening that are beyond your understanding.’

‘We shall see!’ the Boss spat, and charged out of the room.

Once he was gone, the Goddess walked over to Moulivia and helped her to her feet. Moulivia looked confused. ‘The evolution I spoke of,’ the Goddess said. ‘It has begun for your people, too.’

On the holo-screen, the Seventh Doctor, a small man in a brown jacket, and his companion walked away arm in arm. ‘Come on, Ace, we’ve got work to do,’ he said.

With that the hologram faded. Rewunderer turned to the Doctor, a smile on his face, feeling lifted up by seeing such a great success for his hero. But when he looked at the Doctor he did not see a happy face, rather the face of a man wearing the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Ruby patted a hand on the Doctor’s knee. ‘Cheer up, pet, it’s not everyday you see yourself save such a lovely part of London.’

The Doctor forced a smile. ‘I am not upset, Ruby, just a little… oh, I do not know. Seeing those glimpses into the universe that could have been. An Alf… no, Ace, who never had to be tortured by vampires…’ He sighed. ‘I cannot help but think that things would have been better. If only the universe had not been altered.’

Unseen by either the Doctor or Ruby, an odd glance passed between Rewunderer and Shinjiru, as if they were having an unspoken conversation.

‘Maybe so,’ Ruby said, ‘but a lot of good things have come of that alteration. You met me for one.’ She beamed at him, and the Doctor could not help but smile in return.

He reached out and tweaked her nose. ‘Yes, and that I would never wish to change.’

Their musings were interrupted by the door crashing inwards. The Doctor jumped to his feet in time to witness the Boss storm into the room. The Doctor glared at the man wearing his old body.

‘It was you!’ the Boss snapped. ‘You have interfered in my plans!’

‘Alas no, I wish I could take credit for that,’ the Doctor replied evenly. ‘But as I was saying to my friend here, it is not a plan of my making. Did I not say that, Ruby?’

Ruby stood up next to the Doctor. ‘You certainly did.’

‘You see? And Ruby never lies.’

The Boss looked down at his borrowed body. ‘I have no use for this thing anymore.’ Like a coat too small, the skin and clothes of the previous Doctor slid off the Boss and squelched onto the floor. Ruby grimaced, suddenly feeling nauseous. The Doctor looked at the remains of his old body, then at the Boss.

The Boss now stood, clothed in his own body. As when the Doctor had first met him, the Boss appeared to man in his late twenties, wearing a black outfit and a sharp dark brown goatee beard. The Boss regarded the Doctor with his green eyes.

‘Whoever’s plan it is, Doctor, they have not won. Maybe I can’t destroy Outpost Gallifrey with the Millennium People, but this place will be destroyed.’

‘I do not see how,’ the Doctor stated.

‘I have a backup plan, Doctor. Even now on the planet Yahanis, the Jester is using a Time Lord by the name of Ooblitan to ensnare the Tiger’s Eyes. And once he has…’

The Doctor shook his head, causing the Boss to trail off. ‘Unfortunately that will not happen. The Jester fused with, ah, Ooblitan, creating a man called Jeret Seth. You see I know this because I have all ready dealt with things on Yahanis. So, the Tiger’s Eyes will be of no use to you.’

The Boss eyed the Doctor, weighing up the veracity of his words. ‘Hmm. Well then, it looks like my victory will have to be a personal one, then.’ He clicked his fingers and the ball of energy appeared beside him. Nick was still stuck inside. ‘Remember him, do you? I know how much you care for him, Doctor. If I cannot destroy the Gallifreya, I can at least cause their greatest hero the worst pain possible. By killing one of his most beloved friends!’

The Doctor’s only response to this threat was one that the Boss had not expected. He began to laugh. Ruby looked at him in shock.

‘Doctor…’ she began, but stopped when Nick opened his eyes and joined the Doctor in laughing.

‘Well done, Doctor,’ Nick said. ‘Fooled him, eh?’

As if the trap were nothing, Nick stood up and walked out of it, showing no sign of pain whatsoever. The Boss looked at Nick with unbelieving eyes. Nick winked at him and stood beside the Doctor.

‘You know what? Coming to Outpost Gallifrey was your best idea in millennia,’ Nick said to the Boss. ‘Shame it was for the wrong reason.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, this was a trap for you, not for me or the Doctor, or indeed the Gallifreya. What you didn’t know is that the Millennium People and the Gallifreya share the same destiny – to become one people. See, since the Doctor visited Forum World recently the change has begun there, and that same change has begun here too, thanks to the presence of the Goddess of Dreamers. Oh, and me, of course. They shall all fuse together to become one race – the one species with the ultimate power over Time.’

As if on cue, Static appeared in the room, with the Goddess of Dreamers and Moulivia beside him. Static looked at the Doctor, and as he did his form reverted to that of Brad. The Doctor smiled at seeing Brad and Nick in the same room, together for this first time in years.

‘Nick’s spot on,’ Brad told the Boss, and everyone else in the room. ‘Since the Dommervoy were born, with the creation of this reality, we have known. So we guided both the Millennium People and the Time Lords to this point. Mostly through Nick and the Doctor. Nick’s known for a while now, ever since I removed him from Forum World.’

The Boss thought back to when Nick had been attacked by the vampire Bradley, and how the Millennium People had returned Nick to him. How Nick had became the Bloke again, and how a Dommervoy Loci had appeared and removed the Bloke from his People.

‘That was you?’

Brad nodded. ‘Yep. Nick’s human journey was not finished, nor his influence on the clone that the Doctor had become.’ He looked at Nick, who nodded. ‘But the journey is finished now, for Nick and for the combined Millennium People and Gallifreya.’ He turned to Moulivia and the Goddess. ‘It is time for the first fusion.’ He glanced at the Boss. ‘Alas, you will not be here to witness it. Like the Dommervoy, those paradox eaters who were keeping things in check while Nick completed his journey, you have served your purpose. Time for you to go.’

Brad winked at the Boss, and a moment later the Boss was gone, along with the discarded body of the previous Doctor.

‘What’s happened to him?’ Ruby asked.

‘He does not exist,’ the Doctor said, ‘and neither do the corrupt Millennium People and Dommervoy. And, I assume, my body has been returned to its grave?’

Brad grinned. ‘You always were the smartest Time Lord I’ve ever met, Doctor. You’re right. They’ve all gone, never to be seen again. Of course me and my kind, the Dommervoy Loci will stick around for a while, keeping an eye on things while the Gallifreyan and Millennium People become one. Which reminds me. It is time.’

A golden aura appeared around both Moulivia and the Goddess of Dreamers. That aura began to dance, as the two women were pulled inexorably together. As their bodies touched, it was as if they were bleeding into each other. Within moments only one woman stood there. She was short and thin, with delicately defined features. She looked at Nick and bowed. ‘Lord President, I am Drelivia.’

‘It is time for us to go and bring Forum World here.’ Brad looked at the Doctor and held out his hand. The Doctor took it in his. ‘Bye, Doc, nice catching up with you. Doubt we’ll meet again.’ He turned to Ruby. ‘Take care of him.’

Ruby smiled. ‘Gladly.’

With that Brad and Drelivia vanished.

The Doctor placed his hands on Ruby’s shoulders and gave them a little squeeze. ‘Time we were going, too.’ Ruby nodded. The Doctor turned to Nick. ‘Well, Nick, you have made something of your life. I am sure Alf will be very proud. But not as proud as I am.’

Nick reached forward and grabbed the Doctor in a hug. ‘Thanks, means a hell of a lot to me.’ He released the Doctor. ‘Guess this brave future is not for you.’

‘Well, I would hate to be tied down to one planet. Still, with you leading the way, I am sure the new Gallifreya will do great things.’ The Doctor glanced over at Rewunderer and Shinjiru. ‘You two keep an eyes on things for me, eh?’

The two young Gallifreya nodded.

‘Super!’ The Doctor clasped his hands together. ‘Time to go, then.’ He turned to Ruby and began to usher her out of the room. ‘Bye.’

‘Bye!’ Ruby called, just as they disappeared into the corridor.

Once they had gone Nick turned to face Rewunderer and Shinjiru. As he did the room around them started to warp, the walls began to grow leaves.

‘What’s happening?’ Rewunderer wanted to know.

‘Forum World and Outpost Gallifrey are becoming one,’ Nick said. ‘Which means I’ve got things to do. But before I go, I’d like to ask you to do me a favour.’

‘Sure.’

‘Thank your friend for allowing me the use of his body.’

Neither Rewunderer nor Shinjiru knew what he meant until Nick vanished, to be replaced by a very confused looking Zelante.

‘What the hell’s been going on?’ he asked.

‘Where to begin?’ Rewunderer said. ‘Tell you what, though, Shinjiru and I have had this amazing idea…’

Ruby glanced around her as the corridor started to change. One minute it was a silver corridor, the next it was a forest grove. She turned to the Doctor who was opening the TARDIS door.

‘Do not ask,’ he said with a smile. ‘I will explain later. But for now, I do believe by your calendar it is almost New Year.’ Ruby’s face lit up. ‘Fancy a trip home?’ the Doctor asked.

‘Oooh,’ Ruby said, pushing the Doctor into the TARDIS. ‘Just in time for Bobby’s annual party.’ She stopped on the threshold of the police box and looked back at the changing corridor. 'Are you sure you don't want to stay here, Doctor? You don't have to head off with just one woman to accompany you.'

As the TARDIS door closed, the Doctor could be heard saying; ‘Why not, after all, that is how it all started. And besides which, I could do with a good old fashioned shindig!’