07.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[Somewhere on the Plane, a TARDIS is faintly singing: it's a pleasant, lilting song that borders on telepathic and is unmistakably alien. The machine herself is located on the Plane's 'floor', next to the Markarian Chain of galaxies. Despite her unusually rapid growth for a TTC, she is in a state that can kindly be described as "not quite finished".

The exterior dimensions and the interior architecture have not been formed yet, leaving the raised, hexagonal dais the most prominent feature -- and the most important, as the TARDIS's heart is located within it. Spread around the silvery column are the circuits and parts that still need to be integrated into the main console, enabling both flight and time travel.

Omega is currently ducked under the console, sorting out the wiring with deft (and surprisingly gentle) hands. He's forgone the usual Gallifreyan robes for a much more practical coverall, and seems rather calm, if intent on his work. He is an engineer, after all, and he has missed his work. And the sooner his TARDIS is time travel capable, the sooner he can leave that old fool Ertikus behind.]

Comments

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

Of course they are. Even those who do not wish to be.

[collector]

As indicated by the Doctor's Presidency. I try not to let him know I remember. I think he'd gloat about it.

[As he talks, he idly inspects what Omega made. Braxiatel is always curious.]

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

Undoubtedly. [with a sideways glance] As much as he does not care for the position, I have no trouble believing that he would hold the fact that he obtained it over you.

[Brax may recognise the machine as a temporal isolator, used in the growth of TARDIS capsules, modified to expand the range of the field. It is, in effect, a zero room for a TARDIS.]

[collector]

[ignoring that glance in favour of looking over some of the particulars of the device] The Doctor would hold anything over my head if he thought I'd jump to try to get it. In this case, he'd be wrong.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

Hm. Not even for the Presidency?

[collector]

The Presidency? It's a nice title, I'll give it that. President of the Supreme Council of Gallifrey and all of her Dominions. How noble. How grand.

But you've seen what history tells us is the greatest being to ever take the Presidency. Do you really think that I would be suited for the role?

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[with a touch of dry pedantry] Lord President.

If the Time Lords believe that the President must hold themselves to Rassilon's standard, I should think they've failed miserably. It is an unequal comparison from the start. As for whether you would be suited for the role...

[he looks at Brax, cocking his head]

Do you think you are?

[collector]

[smiling] Oh, I doubt it. I really am a collector above all else. And a Collector President isn't what our home needs.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

But you've entertained the idea, have you not?

[collector]

I've entertained the idea of walking into a High Council meeting wearing my best midnight blue morning suit just to see Coordinator Narvin go into apoplectic shock. It's tempting, but think of the cost. Narvin is bound to be even more irritable and egoistic in his next regeneration. I couldn't live with that.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[lets the deflection slide]

Who is the President in your time?

[collector]

Mine is the Madame President Romanadvoratrelundar of the House of Heartshaven. One much more suited to the job than I am. More suited to the job than most Presidents we've had, frankly, and not just because she has an incredible tolerance for both the idiots on the High Council and the fools in the CIA.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[neutrally] I imagine her travels with the Doctor would have broadened her horizons considerably.

[collector]

[That finally sparks something out of him] She was incredible long before he met her. I don't deny that she benefited from her experiences, but they were... unnecessary. She would have become great with or without him.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[notes this, raising an eyebrow] You seem quite certain of that.

[collector]

[Braxiatel doesn't respond to that eyebrow. This is something far more important than political ambitions to him.] I have a great deal of faith in my President.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[Omega turns his back on Braxiatel, running a hand along the developing console.]

I hope it is not misplaced.

[collector]

[a soft laugh] I try not to gamble stupidly, particularly not with politics.

[watching the movement of that hand] Though I'm sure some would think that Rassilon is the safest bet we could make.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[to the TARDIS] The Presidency has a habit of changing people. And they would be quite wrong.

[collector]

[Now Braxiatel watches Omega's body language closely]

'Power corrupts' is the obvious reply. But I suspect that the responsibility has something to do with it as well.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[there's a tenseness in his shoulders that has everything to do with the past he is speaking of. he claps his hands behind his back, his tone carefully blank.]

A President's duty to Gallifrey is second only to their duty to Time.

[except when it isn't, of course]

[collector]

And their third duty? It can't stop at just the two. Three is the magic number.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[Omega turns to face Brax.]

The third is the least remembered, of course. Only the most liberal Presidents would bother to burden themselves with a duty to the universe.

[collector]

[evenly] Some of those liberal Presidents take different interpretations of what the third responsibility means, then.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[a slight nod] It is a broad duty. The Doctor's interpretation differs from mine, which I am sure differs from yours. It is easier not to acknowledge it as a responsibility at all.