001 [Shadows and Silence]

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

... I do not trust Arkadian or his information. If something is coming, we must face it without his help.

[Leela had been forced to share her views on Gallifrey’s current political situation with K-9, as Romana and the rest of her friends among the Time Lords were busy in some meeting or another. He was not the most satisfactory conversation partner, and he was not her K-9, but she was still affronted when he did not reply.]

K-9? K-9?

[Something was wrong. The floor beneath her feet did not feel like any floor in the Capitol. When she reached out, her hands failed to find the cool stone wall that they should have encountered.

And it was too quiet. The sounds of the Citadel – sounds that she had learned to take for granted in the years since she had left the TARDIS – had dwindled away. Leela had been trapped in a world of darkness for months, but she was not used to being trapped in a world of silence as well.

Instinctively, she drew her knife. The familiar weight in her hand was something of a comfort.]

This is not Gallifrey. What is this place? Why have you brought me here? Speak, unless you wish me to loosen your tongue. What machine?

I may be blind, but I am still a warrior and I can still drive my knife into your throat!

Comments

[collector]

I'm sure we'll manage, as ever. Hell has no fury like a demat gun and all that.

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

We are good at that.

[collector]

I like to think so. Have we got to the bit about time not passing at home while you're here?

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

No, only that I can return home.

[collector]

One of the more curious features of the Plane that I've yet to work out is to do with the passage of time back home. While you're at home, any amount of time can pass on the Plane, regardless of how long you stay there. While you're on the Plane, however, no time will pass at home. You can stay here as long as you like.

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

[If Braxiatel couldn't understand, she wouldn't be able to. As she listened, Leela decided that it would be easier to simply accept these facts without questioning them too intently.]

A sanctuary as well as a prison, then.

[collector]

Yes. It can be quite a relief at times.

[Whatever else has happened here, this place saved the Collection. He is grateful for that.]

But it can be very dangerous. The people themselves, of course, but there is a lot of power here. And power has a habit of being fought over and used for untoward purposes.

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

I shall learn quickly. [For herself and for the people she needs to look after.] Are there names I should remember?

[collector]

Omega, to start. And I suppose the Master. Both of those are Time Lords. There's a woman, though, Barbara Gordon, who said she was considering trying to make a database of dangerous individuals on the Plane. She might know more.

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

Omega? [She recognised that name. Andred had often told her tales from Gallifrey's history.]

I will speak to her.

[collector]

Good, good.

[He is quiet for a moment.] Leela. Your eyes. I know Romana would spare no expense, but outside of Gallifrey, I have more resources. Would you like me to look into possible solutions for you?

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

I ... the healers said - Romana said - that the damage could not be repaired. It is not like the first time I was blinded. Their colour did not change.

[But is clear from her tone that she would dearly like to see again.]

[collector]

If you have those doctors' reports on the problem, I can get it looked into. I can't promise anything, but...

[But he can't not try.]

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

That would be ... [She's both touched and a little ashamed to admit that she needs help. In the end, she settles for a soft:] Thank you.