In diesen heil'gen Hallen

[collector]

[Braxiatel appears, immaculate as ever, with a table of food – a fish dinner (Hulzarrian carp, for those in the know) of multiple courses, complete with Angel Delight for dessert. His expression is vacant for a moment, lingering on the main course, but then he remembers himself and puts lids over the dishes.]

[When Braxiatel speaks, he speaks with the clear calmness of ringing bells or water still enough to reflect the sky.]

I have a... general inquiry to make to anyone with a knowledge of history. History of the Gamatra sector, very early 27th century. Specifically, I'd like information on the history of the Fifth Axis expansion through the Vega System... and on its occupation of the planetoid designated KS-159, formerly Cappa Nine Seven under the Earth Empire, originally Delfus-Orestes.

[Through a supreme effort of will, he does not let his voice waver as he says the last words. He even conjures up a smile now, the sort of smile that is laughing at someone else's cosmic joke.]

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[invisobillity.livejournal.com]

...the twenty-seventh century?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

What is it that troubles you, Braxiatel? I cannot offer such knowledge, as you know, but I worry for you as my Master.

[collector]

[his smile becomes pleasant and half-amused] That's right. The year 2602, to be precise. I take it you're from far earlier in Earth's history?

[collector]

[he pauses for a moment, then comes to a decision] Could we sit down? [a vague gesture at a couple of chairs by the table] I have a question for you, and also a favour to ask.

[invisobillity.livejournal.com]

[giiiive him a few minutes to digest...yeah, okay, now he's stopped looking like a deer in the headlights.] Uh, yeah. I'm from 2006. You must be from way later, if 2600 is history for you, right?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

{She walks to take a seat}

What is it that you wish to know?

[collector]

[like a patient tutor whose student has made a good but ultimately wrong guess] 2006. A good year, though not for whales in the Thames. But I'm afraid you're not quite right; I'm living in 2602.

[collector]

[he sits across from her] If I die, will you have enough magic left to you to find a new Master here?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[glances at the carp for a moment, before crossing his arms] I've got the feeling you're not really asking for a history lesson.

[collector]

[his ironic smile broadens; one hand presses down on the table] No. Why would I? I know the history of this sector. I know that KS-159 was never invaded. I know that the Fifth Axis never even made it as far as Ytaxia.

[And now his fingers grip the table, hard, and his voice drops to conceal the madness that was rising in it] So how have they taken over my Collection?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[he frowns, and places a gentle hand on Brax's shoulder] Maybe the question you ought to be focusing on is how you can get it back.

[collector]

[Braxiatel draws away from the touch, recovering himself] I have some ideas. But I thought that there might be a chance that someone here might know who was responsible. And it occurred to me that I should ask in the simple way before I try more complicated methods.

[invisobillity.livejournal.com]

Uh...okay?

So...2602, huh? Anything cool happen in 600 years? [like...outer-space cool, perhaps?]

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

...I shall. For a short while, at least. But we are matched well--It would be unbecoming for me to allow you to die without defending you first. What has caused you such a concern?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[darkly] I know who's responsible. Didn't find out until after the fact, but maybe I can help you now. [pauses] Hope you're not planning on eating that carp.

[collector]

[a laugh] I would need more than a day to tell you all the interesting things that have happened in those six hundred years, but yes, very much. The rise and fall of the Earth Empire and its colonies, Earth's first official contact with alien species, the Draconian-Earth wars, Earthlink, the Knights of Geneve, the Dalek Invasions, APE development... Very busy years. Humanity has expanded at a remarkable rate.

[collector]

[Braxiatel's full attention sets on the Doctor. He is quiet] I might not have to. Depending on who changed history.

[collector]

[a breath of laughter] I don't think you can do very much to help me with them.

[His eyes settle on the bright centre of one of the galaxies in the sky. He is thinking of the black hole inside it.] I could kill them all now myself, really. Eliminate them out completely without breaking a sweat. I could make it so that they never existed. But my hands are tied until I know who has done this.

[He looks back to her and smiles] It's good to know that you'll survive. There's one thing you can do for me, though.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[he's avoiding Brax's gaze, and attempting to say this calmly. His skills at this, however, are nowhere as good as Brax's] Daleks. The Daleks are behind it, and I can't...we haven't merged yet. Least I don't think so. But if we had...

[collector]

[Braxiatel is silent--

And then he lets out a breath of relief] The Daleks. Those stupid tinpots. Of course. The Fifth Axis are practically human Daleks. I'd thought it might be them, but I could never be sure, and the other, most likely possibility---[he smiles, talking to himself more than the Doctor now, so very relieved to know who has done it and that he can finally act against them] Now I only need to find their point of contact with the Axis to stop this from ever having happened. I can stop them from taking all those planets, I can correct history. No one has to suffer. No one has to remember.

[No one except Braxiatel. Releasing another long breath, he sits] Thank you, Doctor. That's all I really need. No dinner for Marshal Anson, I'm afraid. But then, he soon won't know that I ever made the offer. He might know know anything at all.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

I will do all that I can, Braxiatel. But...What is it that you wish of me?

[collector]

[He pours wine for himself and, out of courtesy, for Caster, then holds the wine glass without drinking from it.]

You remember what I said about the thing I've sealed away. In my head. Forgive me if I wander from the subject; thinking about it---it's... a bad idea for me to do so. Let's leave it at that.

[He shakes off the frown that was overcoming him]

My recent guests haven't given me the opportunity to go through the practices I use to maintain the locks, the room I use to help me is not inaccessible, and the methods of inquiry they've used to find out about my time equipment---it's all very inconvenient, really. Quite boring and quite troublesome. The upshot of it all is that my shields aren't what they need to be if I'm to keep the thing contained. You said some time ago that you might be able to help? If you can do anything, I'd appreciate it now.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[quietly] Be careful, Brax. If you need any more help, you know where to find me.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

I...should be able to. It may not be a good idea to think about it, but can you describe to me what it is again? I would need to perform a very specific enchantment for such a thing, so the more I know, the better it can be sealed.

[collector]

[Braxiatel gives a deceptively light smile] I haven't killed a Dalek in a very long time. Any interesting ways to you'd like me to try out for you? I have this terribly disappointing feeling that I'll end up going with a clean explosion to take them out.