Left to his own devices (and thoughts) the Doctor roamed the halls of UNIT HQ at something of a loss, until his dietary needs led him to the canteen. He entered and came to an abrupt stop, a look of surprise etched across his face.

Ruby was kneeling before the TARDIS, a bowl of milk between her and the blue box. The Doctor noticed the door was slightly ajar, and realised what had happened. Ruby was making odd noises with her mouth, clicking her fingers all the while.

‘Missy! Missy!’ she called.

‘Lost something?’ the Doctor asked.

Ruby jumped and turned around sharply. For a moment she looked unsure where to put herself, then she climbed to her feet and dusted her apron down. She smiled widely. ‘Hello again, Doctor. I’m afraid Missy has decided to go into your TARDIS. I didn’t want to be rude and stroll on in, so I’m trying to get her out.’ She bit her bottom lip. ‘Hmm. You must have something nice in there for Missy not to come out to the smell of her favourite milk.’

‘Oh, I have lots of nice somethings inside the TARDIS.’ The Doctor walked over to the TARDIS and went to enter, but then he stopped and turned to face Ruby. ‘You know, I think it is safe to say that Missy will fine in the TARDIS for a while, and I know I need some food.’

Ruby considered this. ‘Fair enough. Just don’t go whizzing off with her. She isn’t going anywhere without me, got it?’ The Doctor nodded. Ruby eyed him suspiciously, and saw the way his face fell. ‘Oh, okay then, I believe you. Go and grab yourself a seat and I’ll get you some food.’

The Doctor did as he was told with a big sigh. He was still sighing when Ruby returned with a plate of tortellini. She placed it before him and he just looked at it. ‘Lost your appetite?’

The Doctor shook his head. ‘No no. It’s not that.’

‘No, I wouldn’t have believed you if you had said yes.’

The Doctor smiled at this, and went on to tell her about his meeting with Lethbridge-Stewart. He had no idea why he was telling her, but for some reason it seemed the right thing to do. Ruby listened intently, nodding at the right times, asking probing questions when needed. Finally the Doctor slumped back in his chair.

‘So, you see, it’s a mess. Lethbridge-Stewart and I were meant for great things. Not this.’

‘Well, dear, you’ve got to look at it from his point of view, too, you know. Nineteen years ago you just upped and left when the Earth really needed you – when Lethbridge-Stewart needed you! UNIT had to struggle for two longs year before the Nestene were defeated. Since then Earth has been invaded many times, and each and every time UNIT was the first line of defence.’

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. ‘I know exactly what you are saying. I was told once that I was meant to stay and help defeat the Nestene, and from there serve as UNIT’s scientific advisor for several years. I was supposed to help the Earth against many an invasion. But I changed that by leaving Earth in 1972.’

‘Then why did you do it?’

‘At the time? I don’t know. Hard to say. In my own mind I had convinced myself that I needed to track down the source of the time anomalies. Find out why things had changed. If I had stayed I suppose things would not be half as bad as they turned out. Regeneration does things to the mind. But one thing I do know for sure; without me here UNIT has become a lot stronger. The Earth has become a lot stronger. Surely that cannot be a bad thing?’

Ruby smiled and patted the Doctor’s hand. ‘No, pet, it’s not a bad thing. Still, now you are here. Guess you can work with the Lieutenant General once again.’

The Doctor heaped a generous amount of Parmesan cheese on to his tortellini, ground the pepper grinder over it, and lifted his fork. ‘I certainly hope so, Ruby, I certainly hope so. ’Cause I really need his help on this one.’ He dug his fork into the tortellini and took a mouthful.

Nicholaus entered the old church, his wet clothes hanging on him like lead, and was surprised by the disarray of the Kuang-Shi within. He walked through the worship hall and up onto the stage, all the while clenching and unclenching his fingers, enjoying the feel of the body he wore. Getting a body for his mind had been a long time in coming, and he intended to enjoy it to the full. On the stage, beside the altar, lay the sword that Bradley had used to cut open Daniel’s body. Nicholaus picked the sword up, and with great force he slammed it onto the top of the altar. The noise echoed throughout the hall and all heads turned to look at him.

‘Behold! I am the Emissary of Ashgotoroth – your God!’ he exclaimed, holding the sword aloft. ‘From this time forth until our God returns you shall obey me as you would obey him.’ Nicholaus lowered the sword and pointed it towards the windows, revelling in the theatrics of his gestures. ‘Now go! Make new followers – prepare the way for Ashgotoroth!’

As one, the Kuang-Shi dutifully obeyed and left the church for the city outside. Once he was satisfied that he was alone, Nicholaus lowered the sword and placed it in its sheath. He turned and walked across the stage and opened the door that would take him into Bradley’s sanctum.