paradisalogs | Delayed exploration

Who: The Master, Open
What: Exploring the castle properly
When: A day or so after being released from the Valentine's Day event
Where: Starting with the kitchen
Rating: G-PG

The Master knew the importance of being familiar with his surroundings. Normally, he would do extensive research on any planet that he intended to visit. Before landing, he would know where the safest shelters were, who was currently in power, who was seeking to take power, and who could be either bribed or coerced most easily. The Master always made sure to place his TARDIS somewhere that he could get to easily, for a quick escape.

Now, however, his TARDIS was completely out of reach and the Doctor himself had assured the Master that escape was impossible. No one seemed to be in power and few people seemed willing to change that fact. Bribery and coercion were still useful tools, should he need them, but only once he got to know the residents better. Likewise, his knowledge of the Castle, outside his bedroom, was almost nil! Other than lacking his TARDIS, this lack was the most unacceptable situation and, fortunately, the easiest to fix.

On his arrival, the Master had been told more than once that the kitchen was on the first floor. That seemed a reasonable place to begin his explorations. The Master wasn't particularly hungry, but decided he might as well examine things closely. This was a Castle with deep secrets and the Master intended to dig them out, one by one.

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"Indeed. A typical oversight for the Doctor...he simply couldn't be bothered. Tell me, though, simply out of curiosity, why are you having so much difficulty with a mere virus? I know our people are indolent, even negligent, but they are excellent scientists."

Romana sighed. She's disappointed, Master, she thought you knew better, "It's not a typical virus. It turns us into... zombie like creatures, incapable of normal thought or action. That we can tell, there is no cure, other than to stop it before it starts."

"You might have corrected me, when I mentioned viruses evolving, my dear," the Master reproached, shrugging. "A vaccine, then. Tell me, have you discovered the origin of the virus? Who was the first victim?"

"I might have, but didn't.... As for a vaccine, it would be easier if we understood more about the virus. Which is part of the reason why I was traveling to alternate Gallifreys... to try to discover what causes it."

She doesn't sound upset by the Master's reproach, though.

"Yes, that would help," the Master agreed, sardonically. "You received no aid from the Rani? Surely you have samples that can give you information."

"We can't risk infection to get close enough, now can we?" Her opinion of the 'intelligent Master' is quickly falling.

"Tch, typical Time Lord cowardice and indolence!" the Master growled in disgust. "Yes, Madame President, it is likely, even probable, that some of the scientists would become infected. That's always a risk, when studying disease. Isolation and disinfection protocols would minimize the risks, sufficiently. Ah, but no, you can't risk even a single life. Far better to scarper through alternate realities, hoping someone else has done the work for you!"

"It had to be this way." Never mind that she was ousted and this was part of her 'punishment.' She would have gladly left, just for the adventure.

"Did it? You've provided, so far, no reason why it should," the Master countered, skeptically. "You've said only that there is a virus of unknown origin, that turns Time Lords into zombie-like creatures. You've implied that no real study has been done of the disease, for fear of infection. Do you have proof that this disease could not be conquered in a laboratory?"

She sighs, "We are not even sure what the virus is... other than it seems to attack those who are time sensitive. And yet, the threat is incredibly real."

"Of course, you are unsure. You have no facts to rely on," the Master agreed, casually. "I don't doubt the threat is severe, my dear, that is why you must be willing to take great risks."

"Hence why we are exploring other realities. We need to know the extent of the damage the virus can do..."

"Information which could more easily be obtained in a lab, by examining infected specimens and tissues," the Master insisted, wryly. "What you need is a vaccine, cure, or both."

Romana looked the Master up and down, "I always believed that you were smarter than this. I don't expect you to listen, but I thought you had a vast amount of intelligence."

How sad that she was so wrong.

"Oh, I do, my dear, I do indeed," he chuckled. "I'm intelligent enough to know you are being mendacious and obstructive in this conversation. I know the High Council would never send a reigning President on such a mission. Why, there are so many brave, competent Time Lords available," the Master mocked sarcastically, "it would be beneath the dignity of the office to dirty your hands in such a way!"

He glared at her in contempt, shaking his head.

"Tell me, my dear, intelligent young lady, how many of our people are dying, why you'll thrashing through all of reality, looking for answers? You've doled out information drop by drop, so I've no means of knowing."

"And I thought you didn't care... I thought you said it had no baring on a renegade, such as yourself."

She's being evasive now, mostly because there is so much she left out and will not share with anyone.

The Master sighed.

"I said they had no right to claim to be my people, given their own attitudes towards me. That doesn't mean I actively wish them extinct."

"You understand my need to clarify given your past transgressions against the Doctor..."

"Transgressions?" the Master laughed. He shrugged lightly. "Yes, I suppose so, if you want to consider them such. I always applaud caution, at least when it doesn't interfere with practicalities."

"Of course not." Romana was not convinced, though.

"So skeptical," the Master praised, chuckling. "Have you told the Doctor about the virus?"

Romana sighs. Really, Master? Are you that dense? "Which one?," she replied calmly, "I would think the one from my future is already well aware of what happened... the one from my past, what is the point of worrying him?"

The Master shook his head, barely keeping back a sigh of his own.

"You really are a silly, naive child," he scolded. "The older Doctor may be from your future, but not necessarily from your reality. If you're wise, you'll tell every version of the Doctor you can find. Think about it, my dear. The younger Doctor has been here for years and this Castle, apparently, can accomplish wonders. He may be able to use it to find knowledge of this virus and, from there, a vaccine. In any case, it is better to try, than to do nothing."

Romana huffed. "I shall not risk the timelines for your entertainment, Lord Master."

"The risk is minor compared to the reality of watching our people become extinct, if nothing is done. You are too timid, Lady President."

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romana2 - 2012-03-06 23:12 (UTC) - Expand

traken_master - 2012-03-07 05:18 (UTC) - Expand

romana2 - 2012-03-07 19:56 (UTC) - Expand

traken_master - 2012-03-08 00:52 (UTC) - Expand