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

And his crazy ideas are awesome, too.

[collector]

Some, for example, are the greatest of all engineers.

Yes, yes they are.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[mildly] I was never President.

Best crazy species ever.

[collector]

But you were a President's... 'friend.'

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

I believe the term was 'rival', at the time.

[collector]

And in my time, there is no agreed upon term for it. Did Rassilon build a monument to Omega for political reasons, or was it far more like Alexander's tributes to Hephaestion? It may never be clear.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

No, it will not.

[collector]

A shame they don't let me take my archaeologists to Gallifrey. I'd quite enjoy hearing their indubitably inaccurate but brilliantly researched and argued guesses about our past.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

As opposed to the inaccurate speculations of the Gallifreyan people themselves?

[collector]

You must admit, they're bound to have a fresh perspective.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

From wild conjecture and a lack of understanding of Gallifreyan culture? Yes, I am sure they would.

[collector]

Morbius: The Man, the Myth, The Legend, or, "My, Vice President Saran, what great crises you have!" by Professor Beverly Tarrant. I'd love to see reviews from the other temporal powers.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

The High Council would undoubtedly be furious.

[collector]

Please, don't give me a reason to do it.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

Your archaeologists may find themselves trapped in a temporal loop should you go through with it.

[collector]

Now that I couldn't allow to happen.

[But from the quiet of his voice, it isn't clear if he would refrain from provoking the Council or if he'd take them all on himself to protect his people.]

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

Could not or would not?

[collector]

Cannot and won't.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[merely nods]

[collector]

[Braxiatel smiles] We all have something we will fight for. I should thank you again for your assistance with my Dalek problem.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[he waves a hand, but his tone is hard] Make sure you destroy them, Braxiatel. They will not bother with human pawns the next time they seek your TARDIS.

[collector]

I promise, Omega, that I won't leave a single Dalek alive. I won't let this happen again.

[cosmic-engineer.livejournal.com]

[because Brax is not the Doctor, Omega actually believes this]

Good.