Heres something for you all amazing fans :) This was posted by David Dunaj Temporal Fission. Part I Sarah Jane Smith had been crying for the last two days. Normally she was a strong person. Strong and determined. She could dig in her heels and battle with the most dangerous threats to Earth. But Sarah Jane was also a caring person. The people she cared about meant the universe to her. Therefore there was no incongruity in the tears for her dear friend The Brigadier, Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. Sarah Jane had learned of his passing from her Zylok supercomputer Mr. Smith. It was part of Mr. Smith’s function to monitor all communications of importance on Earth. A UNIT message had alerted Mr. Smith to the news and he relayed it immediately to Sarah Jane. Mr. Smith had also learned that officers from UNIT were on their way to Bannerman Road to inform her of this sad news. Though much to her relief, Sarah Jane learned that it would be only two unarmed officers. Not the fiasco staged by the renegade Colonel Kareem who arrived with an armed squad that time the bogus death of The Doctor had been staged. It was then a composed Sarah Jane who eventually greeted the officers at the door. A Colonel Mace and Captain Price had been sent. They greated Sarah Jane respectfully, though Captain Price looked a bit awestruck at meeting THE Sarah Jane Smith. Sarah Jane could see the Captain’s arm twitch as though she wanted to salute. “Not good” thought Sarah Jane. She could feel Gita Chandra watching from over the road. Immediately she extended her arm and both officers shook hands with her. Sarah Jane had put on teas and invited the Colonel and Captain into her downstairs parlor. They sat and discussed the particulars of Sir Alistair’s passing. And it was a bit of a comfort to know that he’d gone peacefully in his sleep. Colonel Mace also offered to put a UNIT car at Sarah Jane’s disposal for the memorial service. Now that the cat was out of the bag about aliens, a full memorial service was to be held at Westminster Abbey before Sir Alistair was sent to Scotland where he’d be laid to rest with his ancestors. Sarah Jane thanked them and showed them out. Time to inform her family and begin preparing herself for tomorrow’s events. The Doctor was grieved. He tried to move on to more demanding events but his thoughts kept returning to the passing of his friend, The Brigadier. He felt numb with regret. Numb with all the friends who had died. And all those who’d died in his name. He’d learned of The Brigadier’s passing months after the event. There was nothing he could do. He could not cross his own timeline with respect to the causal nexus to visit The Brigadier before his passing or pay his respects and comfort the friends he knew would share that grief. The Doctor rested his hands on the console and forced himself by sheer willpower to put aside the futility and move on. But the TARDIS had other idea’s..... The TARDIS cared about The Doctor. She might be The Doctor’s TARDIS. But He was Her Doctor. And so because of this She often acted beyond The Doctor’s desires and was willing to send him where he was needed. TARDIS decided to act, for The Doctor’s own good. The recall signal was sent out. No good. None of The Doctor’s past selves were available for that moment in time/space. Still, TARDIS would not be denied. Then the association was made of the catastrophic events revolving around the destruction of Logopolis and the then impending entropy death of the universe. At the time of The Doctor’s 4th regeneration, the future had been bent backwards into the past. The Doctor’s future self had aided his present self. It had been done. It could be done again. But a shadow self of The Doctor would not suffice. TARDIS searched her memory and recalled that time on Gallifery when the first five Doctors had been recalled. They had all returned to their timelines via the temporal fission techniques that Rasillon had jealously hoarded to himself. But TARDIS had all the data and could reconstruct the temporal technology involved. Yes, there would be dangers. But TARDIS was confident in her Doctor. That He would be clever enough to circumvent any difficulties. And so the signal went out again... into The Doctor’s future. Meanwhile, The Doctor adjusted his bow tie and brooded. Suddenly he noticed a light on the console associated with the recall circuit. “No, it can’t be” he said. Madly, he scrambled around the console to determine just what had happened. Then he glanced at the time/space coordinates and came to an abrupt halt. He stared transfixed for a few moments at what he saw. Then he relaxed and gave an audible sigh. “Well, it’s done” he said. He stepped up to the console and lovingly stroked it. Sky Smith gazed at Westminster Abbey and everyone entering with them, she was amazed. “All these people knew Sir Alistair, Sarah Jane?” “Many of them Sky. And many of them simply knew who he was and how much he did to protect the Earth. He was a good friend of The Doctor’s and a good friend to me” said Sarah Jane with a small smile. “It’s right and proper that Sir Alistair should be honored like this. In the old days when everything about aliens was hushed up, this wouldn’t have been a public affair. But now.... Her Majesty insisted and nobody will gainsay her on this, nor should they. Come, let’s find out where they’re going to seat us.” He knew himself to be The Doctor. And yet, he could not remember his regeneration or how he came to be here at this instant in his own physiotime. He was not like that young professor with the bow tie. He was almost as tall but a bit more heavily built. And he was well dressed in navy colored suit, waistcoat with chain and a dress shirt with an enormous collar. . Not a dandy like his 3rd self but more like someone who’d just stepped out of The House of Lords. And the TARDIS control room was decidedly different. It was very posh and richly appointed. The six sided control console was not a slapdash of improvised controls but a glistening array of multibank keyboards and relays. And the room itself was much larger with room for divans, tables and a grand piano. The Doctor pondered this and then the purpose of it all came back to him He remembered his visit with the Eleventh Doctor and what they had agreed to do with his console. “Yes, I must go to Earth. And do what must be done”. With that he confidently strode over to the console and engaged the time rotor. Mr. Smith came to the alert immediately. TEMPORAL FLUX DETECTED, THE TARDIS IS ABOUT TO LAND. But it didn’t happen. The TARDIS seemed to linger for some moments in that state of flux and then departed. But a small message capsule remained behind. Mr. Smith scanned it and read the contents. He then called Sarah Jane’s mobile. “No good” thought The Doctor as he aborted full materialization. He had consulted a new set of controls and monitors not previously seen before on the TARDIS. Those controls dealt with temporal fission. From the data, The Doctor was able to evaluate the situation. Obviously revealing himself in this future aspect to his Sarah Jane would endanger the timeline and cause unexpected and perhaps dangerous consequences. He regretted this. He’d have liked to seen Sarah and comforted her as a friend should. So he pondered this and quickly came up with an improvised solution. But then, that was one of The Doctor’s best talents. Sarah Jane felt some alarm when she looked at the mobile and saw it was Mr. Smith calling. ‘Aliens? Not now!’ thought Sarah Jane. But She composed herself and took the call. “SARAH JANE, THE TARDIS JUST ATTEMPTED TO MATERIALIZE IN THE ATTIC. FULL MATERIALIZATION DID NOT TAKE PLACE BUT A MESSAGE CAPSULE WAS LEFT WHICH I SCANNED. SHALL I READ THE MESSAGE FOR YOU?”. ‘Yes, please do Mr. Smith” said Sarah Jane. “IT READS; MY SARAH JANE, I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE BRIGADIER BUT CANNOT CROSS MY TIMELINE TO BE PRESENT. RECALL SIGNAL NOT VIABLE OPTION AS NONE OF MY PAST SELVES ARE AVAILABLE. WILL ATTEMPT MESSAGE TO WESTMINSTER THROUGH UNIT. D.” “Thank you Mr. Smith, I’ll keep a lookout” said Sarah Jane as she rang off. ‘Well, I really didn’t expect to hear from The Doctor.’ thought Sarah Jane. After all, he could have been anywhere/anytime. Still, it warmed her heart that even if he couldn’t make it, he was trying to contact her. She’d just have to wait and see what happened next. UNIT Captain Erisa Magambo was in her best dress uniform. She felt honored and proud to be part of the ceremony to honor Sir Alistair. But Captain Magambo was a very dutiful officer. She always took her job seriously and all the responsibility that went with it. And though her role was ceremonial this time, she still felt the call of duty and decided to make the rounds at Westminster Abbey and check on security. As she did so, she pondered with pride the one occasion she’d met Sir Alistair. He’d taken a liking to her when she’d related the story of her dealing with The Doctor and the rogue wormhole in a London traffic tunnel. Sir Alistair had in turn regaled her with a compelling account of a conflict alongside The Doctor with the renegade Timelord, The Master. Suddenly, she heard a familiar shuffing and wheezing sound. Captain Magambo opened the door to the side room and sure enough saw the TARDIS materialize. “Doctor..” she said but could not finish the sentence as the man who stepped out looked about 30 years older than the man she’d met and was dressed much more to the occasion. “Hello Erisa, I need to ask you for a personal favor” said this Doctor. For a moment, Erisa Magambo was at a loss for words. But then she realized, The Doctor regenerates!. “I have to take this onboard” she said to herself. Then to The Doctor, “I’m pleased to see you again Doctor. You’ve regenerated?” “No, not yet” said The Doctor. “I don’t understand” said Erisa. “Let me explain then” He glanced at the radio attached to her belt and remarked: “See if you can get a hold of Kate Stewart and get her to come here discreetly”. Sarah Jane still felt the pain of Sir Alistair’s loss sharply. And yet, out of her journalistic habits she almost unconsciously took in her surroundings. ‘Quite an array of mourners’ she thought. The Royal Family was there along with many prominent politicians, foreign ambassadors and plenty of military brass. Sarah Jane took special note of the arrival of Sir John Sudbury, former head of Department C-19. Sir John was leaning heavily on his walking stick. But she could tell from his determination that he wouldn’t be kept away from honoring Sir Alistair. ‘Good for you Sir John!’ thought Sarah Jane. She also noted Kate Stewart, the Brigadier’s daughter, now promoted from Director of the Science Division to Director of UNIT itself. Kate was talking with the Prince of Wales. Then she noticed an efficient looking UNIT captain walking toward her with a large somber man. “Is this it Mum?” asked her son Luke. “Possibly Luke, let’s hear what they have to say” said Sarah Jane. She looked up and saw Kate Stewart glance directly at her and nod her assent. The officer spoke to Sarah Jane, “Please excuse us for imposing on you at this time Miss Smith”. The UNIT Captain presented herself. “ I’m Captain Magambo and this is Doctor Smith, a retiree from our Science Division. We need to speak with you privately” then leaning close she added, “It concerns The Doctor”. Straightaway Sarah Jane rose to go adding “All of you stay here, I won’t be but a moment”. At that the large somber man pulled a fob watch out of his waste coat and consulted it briefly, “Yes, we should have time before the service begins”. But at that angle Clyde Langer noticed the details on the watch lid, the strange circles and flowing patterns. Half to himself Clyde said aloud, “Never seen a design like that....that’s really amazing”. The somber man immediately pocketed the watch in his waistcoat. “Ah yes, a family heirloom, Shall we go Miss Smith?” And with that they left for a side chapel. Rani Chandra looked after Sarah Jane with concern as she walked off to deal with this UNIT buisness. She turned to Clyde and said, “I hope this won’t keep Sarah Jane from the service”. But Clyde looked distracted with an inward look of concentration. “Clyde? What’s the matter?”said Rani.. “I don’t know” said Clyde slowly and then “That watch was so strange, the design on the cover, it was...I don’t know. I feel like I should draw it before I forget”. Rani was tempted to chide him that this was hardly the place or occasion to sit drawing but stopped herself even before she said it. She knew Clyde well. Moreover, she knew that his intuition and instincts, his Clydie Sense if you will, was a better indicator of trouble than most people’s logic. Rani had seen that a number of times, especially when they’d fought The Trickster. So she rumaged thru the purse she’d brought for the occasion and turned up with a scap of paper and an eyeliner pencil. “Here Clyde” she said “draw it, it might be important”. ‘Idiot!’ thought The Doctor. ‘I’m an ignorant old Doctor and I’ve made a serious mistake.’ He recalled how he’d recovered the watch. That watch which had once contained his essence as a Timelord. How before the First World War he’d met young Timothy Latimer and given him the watch after it had served it’s purpose. He’d seen Timothy almost a century later at a Remembrance Ceremony. What he hadn’t counted on was stopping in London a little over a year later when he’d been traveling alone and meeting Timothy’s grandson. The Doctor had learned by chance (if there was such a thing in the strange paths of his life) that Timothy had passed on. It wasn’t his habit to attend funerals or visit graves. Instead, The Doctor had stopped to look at the memorial marker from that last time he saw Timothy. He was indeed shocked when an almost middle aged man looking very much like Timothy approached him. The fellow had introduced himself as Andrew Harding, the grandson of Timothy Latimer. He said he’d recognized The Doctor from his grandfather’s description and thought he should give him something back. It was the watch. The fellow was so earnest that The Doctor could not refuse. So now he had it back, useless really as anything but a keepsake. And there it was till now. He hadn’t considered it at all in the improvised plan he’d worked out. The Doctor knew how clever Sarah Jane was. She wasn’t the premier investigative journalist in Britain for nothing. And she knew far too much about him and his ways. Still, he tried to keep his composure as he walked over to a side chapel with Sarah Jane and Captain Magambo. But why did he have to bring that watch? ‘You sentimental fool! This puts everything in danger!’ Captain Magambo turned to Sarah Jane and said, “Miss Smith, we’ve had contact with The Doctor thru Dr. Smith here, he’ll fill you in while I keep watch and make sure you’re not disturbed”. With that Captain Magambo went outside and closed the door behind her. Sarah Jane turned to this Doctor Smith and awaited what he had to say. So he proceeded, “Miss Smith, The Doctor managed to send a brief message to me and these two envelopes via a technique he called molecular streaming, he said you’d be familiar with that process.” Sarah Jane nodded, she’d remembered how The Doctor and Clyde had changed places with each other over a distance of 10,000 light years that time at Mt. Snowden. She also noticed the rich vellum envelopes sealed with wax featuring an unusual design. Dr. Smith handed one to Sarah Jane. She recognized the strange calligraphy from that time she’d been in The Tomb of Rasillon. Old High Gallifreyian, the written language of The Time Lords. On the face of the envelope was written in English, “To SJ” But before she opened her’s, she enquired about the envelope that Doctor Smith held. “The Doctor instructed me to open this during the eulogies and read it aloud. Captain Magambo will see that I’m included with the other speakers.” He said. But Sarah Jane never took anything at face value and though it might be overdoing it she decided to inquire further. “Doctor Smith, did you know Sir Alistair?”. He paused for a moment and said, “Yes, I met The Brigadier back when he was Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, before UNIT was founded.”. Still, there was something odd about this man that didn’t sit right with Sarah Jane. So without trying to be impertinent she asked him, “Did you also meet The Doctor”. He nodded an affirmative and said, “Back then, The Doctor was a smaller man with a mop of dark hair, used to be fond of playing the flute as I recall”. Sarah Jane recalled seeing that man when she witnessed the recall on Gallifrey. But before she could inquire further Dr. Smith added, “Perhaps you’d like to read your letter, I can wait outside..” “That won’t be necessary Doctor, if you ‘ll give me a minute I’ll read it and we can get back to the service.” said Sarah Jane. So she broke the seal and read: My Sarah Jane, I am sorry that I cannot be here for you and our friend. Please put your trust in Doctor Smith. He is acting in accord with my wishes. Certain things need to be said on behalf of The Brigadier. You will understand when you hear my words. D. “Well, this all seems in order Doctor Smith. Perhaps we should go back to our places before the service begins.”said Sarah Jane. And with that they returned to the service. The memorial service went well. The organ and choir performed ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’ and everyone was moved. Then came time for the eulogies. Sarah Jane expected to hear from Kate Stewart but was quite surprised at the first speaker. It was none other than Sergeant John Benton from the old days. Benton was older but still spritely. A good man with a touch of cheek. Sarah Jane had always gotten on well with him. Nowadays he was up north selling cars. ‘I’ll bet he’s rather good at it too’, thought Sarah Jane. ‘I’ll have to go over and say hello afterwards’. Sgt. Benton talked on how he and his mates felt about The Brigadier when he’d served with him. “ It meant a lot to us that an officer and a gentleman would lead from the front and risk his life instead of sitting on his duff in the rear.” And he talked of how a man like Sir Alistair was fit to command men. “I’ve met a lot of good soldiers but not every soldier can command. You have to be a man of decision, you’ve got to make the tough choices and not agonize over them. The Brigadier, he did that and he always took responsibility for what he did.. Never served under a better man.” Benton got a round of applause for his kind words and candor. Then followed Kate Stewart and her thoughts on her Father. She highlighted many of his accomplishments within the restrictions of level one security. And she added much about how he inspired her. “My Father always believed in the accountability of soldiers to civilian authority.. And though a magnificent soldier, he always advised me to look to the future thru science .One of the last things he ever told me was ‘Don’t get lost in too many directives and buzz words. Use your common sense.” After everything is said about my Father to me he was simply Dad.”. Kate paused for a moment of thought. Then, “ Now, we have one more speaker.. One of our staff will read the words of My Father’s Friend, The Doctor” At that, there was an audible gasp from the audience. Anyone associated with UNIT knew of the Doctor. He was legendary. Even for those without level one clearance. And so many of the public had seen the emergency broadcast from then Prime Minister Harriet Jones the time a huge alien spaceship had hovered over London. Then Sarah Jane saw the Archbishop nod to Captain Magambo and she in turn spoke briefly to Doctor Smith. He would deliver the final eulogy. “Your Majesty , honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve come here today to read the words of Sir Alistair’s friend, The Doctor. Then there was a sudden stillness as Doctor Smith broke the seal and began to read the letter therein. “Good morning to you all. I’m sure many of you have spoken the praises of my friend, The Brigadier. And well you should. But my purpose here today is to reveal the truth concerning a rumor that had circulated about my friend after his retirement from active duty in UNIT.”. And Sarah Jane thought, ‘Yes! Of course!’ She’d heard about that stupid, ugly rumor. That Sir Alistair had suffered a breakdown, a nervous collapse. She didn’t believe it. Not the Brigadier! He probably would have told her if she’d asked but she never had. Sarah Jane was a private person and respected the privacy of her friend. But this! Now she needed to hear what The Doctor had to say. Doctor Smith continued, “As many of you will know, The Brigadier took up teaching for a time at a boy’s academy after his retirement from active duty. It was during this time that he reportedly suffered a breakdown. A breakdown that he eventually got over. I must tell you now that there was no breakdown. The Brigadier was in fact wounded in an unofficial action with myself.” Here there was a stir from the entire audience.. Sarah Jane though, just nodded to herself and awaited the rest. So Doctor Smith continued, “Many of you know the sorts of things I’ve been involved with. So I won’t go into specific facts and upset those concerned about Level One security. But I will say that my traveling companions and myself were in mortal peril. And that it was thanks to the Brigadier that the situation was resolved. Still, my own stupidity and lack of foresight allowed the Brigadier to be exposed to a massive discharge of energy. One that did not harm him physically. Rather, it put an inhibition on his memory of me and those friends connected with me. Six years after that incident, I was able to restore Sir Alistair’s memory by talking to him and mentioning the names of dear friends, friends whom we both had known. “ At that he turned and looked directly at Sarah Jane. She felt a thrill and a shiver at the stare. But he broke off and continued. This is what I’d wanted to tell you. So that you’d know the truth. I thank you for your time and attention.” Then he hesitated for a brief moment and added, “Good night, sweet Prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”. With that he stepped down and handed the letter to the Archbishop with a brief word and went to his seat. ‘Yes.’ thought Sarah Jane, ‘The Doctor was always fond of Shakespeare;’. The Archbishop then walked over and presented the letter to the Queen with a bow. But as she looked back at Doctor Smith, she saw a tear roll down his face. ‘The poor man!’ she thought, ‘He was being modest. He knew the Brigadier more than he let on. I must have a word with him if he’ll abide it.’ The service concluded and the honor guard from UNIT wheeled Sir Alistair’s coffin down the long isle while the bagpipes took up the traditional ‘Going Home’ of Scotland. “Goodbye My Friend!” said Sarah Jane to herself. Then she looked around for Doctor Smith. But he was gone. Instead, she spotted Captain Magambo and decided to ask her of his whereabouts. Sarah Jane hurried over. Captain Magambo told her that Doctor Smith had pressing business and had to leave right away. Sarah Jane felt she should talk to him and so asked after his full name so that she could contact him eventually. The Captain said, “I believe he told me it was John, yes, John Smith. If you’ll excuse me Miss Smith I have to run along and confer with my commander about Sir Alistair’s transport to Scotland”. As she left, Sarah Jane just stared ahead and thought ‘John Smith?......No!......It’s can’t be....He wouldnt!......Yes, he could and he just might....but why?....it has to be a coincidence....if he regenerated he wouldnt have to hide from me....’ It was then that her reverie was interrupted by her family and friends walking up. “Sorry” she said, “Didnt mean to run off like that. I......Clyde what are you holding?” She had noticed him looking intently at a scrap of paper. Normally she wouldnt have asked but after the revelation of Doctor John Smith, she wasnt in the mood to take anything for granted. Clyde said, “Sorry Sarah Jane, I was taken with Doctor Smith’s watch cover design, so I drew it. Didnt mean no harm.” Instead of telling Clyde it was no bother, she surprised them all by saying, “Here, let me see it!” Sarah Jane took one look and all the pieces fell into place. Then she looked up and cried out loud enough to turn the heads of many standing around them, “Doctor! Enjoy :) :) -Rabia-
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 15:35:45 +0000
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