1 [Holo] I know exactly where I am, it's everywhere else that's lost

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

No sooner had the TARDIS come to a stop than the Doctor was throwing open the doors and dashing outside with a cheerful shout of "Come along, Ponds!", eager to see where they’d arrived this time. That was one of the fun things about connecting up the old randomiser every so often. Enter a few basic guidelines to avoid places that might end up with them all collapsing from something unfortunately terminal the moment the stepped outside or into the middle of a war zone (he’d been shot exiting the TARDIS once before, thank you very much, and had no desire to repeat the experience), then let the TARDIS do the rest. Guaranteed mystery the moment they opened the doors.

It was a little unfortunate then that it looked like 'mystery' in this case was...

"A white room with a sort of... thing on a pedestal. Not really what I'd call exciting but maybe there's something more out there. Like a ship or a space station or a..."

He trailed off, alerted by the silence even before he turned around to find no sign of the TARDIS or his companions. Just himself on a raised platform in an empty room in a place he wasn't familiar with. There was also something strange hanging overhead, and the Doctor frowned at it, his mind racing to fill in the blanks in what he knew.

"Some sort of teleporter maybe... I’ve been kidnapped?" The idea wasn't impossible, he knew for certain, since it had happened a few times before. But it had been a while since anyone had tried. "I suppose whoever’s behind this must be feeling pretty satisfied with themselves right now?"

His wrist felt odd, he realised. Well, he’d realised it earlier, in a vague sort of way, but it was only now that it persisted in feeling odd that he scratched at it and found what seemed to be a metal bracelet fused to his skin. "Did you go and tag me?" he asked the room incredulously. "Who goes around fusing jewellery onto people? ‘Oh, I know, he’d look so much better with a silver bracelet grafted to his skin’?"

The room remained silent, so obviously whoever had brought him here didn't feel like turning up to do the gloating bit. Which left him with the thing on the pedestal, the thing in the ceiling, and a door that proved to be locked when he tried opening it.

"If that's how you want to play it," he muttered, his hand delving into his pocket to produce his sonic screwdriver. It warbled reassuringly as he waved it in quick, apparently random patterns over the walls and door, but quickly escalated to a high-pitched shriek not unlike something in pain the moment he ventured too close to that thing hanging from the ceiling. Whatever it was didn’t want to be scanned in a hurry.

"Let's see what we've got then," the Doctor commented, extending the end of the sonic screwdriver with a practised flick of his wrist. Unfortunately, the answer turned out to be ‘not much of anything’, which really only left the device sitting on the pedestal. Snapping the sonic closed again and returning it to his pocket, the Time Lord wandered over to it curiously, taking his time looking it over before reaching out and picking it up. Whatever it was, it was active and had been recording and uploading information to somewhere the entire time.

"Hello," the Doctor said, shifting his hands on the tablet to get a better look at it. "Been having a good look at me, have you? Let’s see... text, holo seems to be active... visual, voice... Oh, maps! Yes, let’s start with that then. Always a handy thing to have, a map." His finger hovered over the icon for a moment as he paused in thought, his brow furrowing. "Not that I normally use them. But I’ve heard they’re handy if you get lost easily and don’t like the fun of finding your way back on your own. Personally I always think that’s the best bit, seeing where getting lost takes you, but I suppose some people might—Oh?"

Cutting himself off suddenly, the Doctor’s eyebrows shot up as the map loaded, revealing this to be a decent sized city apparently named Taxon. But the really interesting and surprising part was how the map displayed people’s names next to some of the glowing dots on the map. Or, more accurately, the surprising part was what some of those names were. "Martha Jones? Charlotte Pollard? Fitz Kreiner? That’s... No. It can’t be. It’s just not possible..."

For a moment there was the barest flicker of uncertainty in his face, before it was quickly hidden again and the Doctor addressed whatever unseen audience he had. "I think I need some answers."

Comments

[ visual ]

[skort]

"Welcome to Taxon," Kara says as she flips on her visual feed. "Long story short, you've been kidnapped by aliens that everyone here fondly refers to as the hamsters, that thing you're holding is called a tablet, the bracelet is part of the currency system here, and we're trapped with no way out."

She looks rather calm for having said all that, thought her face is scrunched up a little as she thinks of what she's forgetting to say. "This place is an interdimensional nexus that, as far as I can tell, messes with temporal physics like you wouldn't believe. People here come from all different parts of time, even if they're originally from the same universe.

"Got any specific questions or is that good for answers-slash-intro?" It's asked with what she hopes is an encouraging smile. She's never really done the newbie welcome before, only with Conner and they had already known each other quite well, so that was a different situation entirely. But, she was bored and frankly she needed something to take her mind of her cousin's departure and playing twenty questions was a good distraction if she ever heard of one.

[Holo]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

"Hamsters?" the Doctor repeated, frowning at the information helpfully supplied by the young woman. "Why would you call them that?"

The fact that the bracelet was also part of a currency system - not that he really tended to bother with such things if he could avoid it, but it was something worth knowing - was interesting, but not so much as what she said after that.

"An interdimensional nexus with people from different places and times all brought here... Oh, that's not very good at all." He fell silent for a moment, mentally running through the different ways he knew of doing something like that and not liking the implications of any of them.

Her voice broke through his thoughts again, and the Doctor redirected his attention to the image on the screen. "Hmm? Oh! Yes, you've been very helpful so far. What's your name?"

[visual - locked to the Doctor]

[rereremembered.livejournal.com]

The rambling was a clue, the sonic screwdriver a dead giveaway, but Fitz didn't get his tablet set and locked until after the names were rattled off. He grimaced when his own was included but there was nothing for it, all he could do was hope the Master hadn't been listening.

"That's a switch, usually you like getting questions," he remarked, eyebrows arched. "It is you, isn't it? I'm starting to lose track."

[Holo/locked to Fitz]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

The settings on the tablet were easy enough to work out, and the Doctor had more than enough experience with a lot of different technology, so when Fitz's message came through, he could match the lock to the young man's device easily.

"Fitz! It really is you! Look at that! Here and-- Oh, this is brilliant." The Doctor couldn't help but grin in obvious delight at seeing his old companion again, though he also had to add; "Well, brilliant despite the kidnapping bit. Might be a bit better without that. And sort of knowing when everyone was from would be good. But! Can't complain about seeing an old face again!"

Even if he had to remind himself at the last moment to avoid adding 'alive and in one piece' at the end of that.

[holo]

[tailblade.livejournal.com]

Aximili is confused by this strange human who talks so strangely and seems almost to enjoy being kidnapped. Normally he'd leave it alone, but he's drawn in by the irresistible lure of unfamiliar and interesting technology - namely, the sonic screwdriver.

«What is that instrument you are using? Have you retrieved any readings? My current data on this prison are lacking,» he says, all four eyes alight with curiosity.

Then he seems to remember himself, and has the decency to look sheepish, as if the entire kidnapping-and-imprisonment thing is his personal responsibility. «I regret to inform you that you are imprisoned here on a semi-permanent basis. I am working to change that.»

[Holo]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

While the new person showing up on his tablet (or sort of floating in front of it in miniature form, if you wanted to get technical about it) was obviously interested in his sonic screwdriver, the Doctor was just as interested in him. He leaned in closer to inspect the little holographic representation with curiosity, fingers disrupting the image slightly as he traced some of the more obvious physical features.

"It doesn't seem to want me to get too close to it," he answered absently. "And I'd rather not risk damaging the sonic."

He drew back sharply and smiled at the figure. "Sorry, bit distracted. Never really seen a species like yours before. Amazing physiological features, and telepathic! ...which you'd sort of have to be, since you don't seem to have a mouth or anything, do you... I'm rambling."

[visual]

[whoneverwas.livejournal.com]

She can't believe it. She can't believe it. Just the manner of the man, it has to be the Doctor. Her hand is half-way to the button to activate her tablet when he says her name. He says her name -- but how could he possibly..?

Nothing for it but to ask. She activates her tablet's visual feed.

"Doctor? Is that really you?"

She's doesn't know how it's possible and she just has to be sure.

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

The Doctor had made it out of the room to one of the larger areas featuring a wall lined with windows giving something of a stunning view of the city. He was standing in front of them, his arms folded loosely behind his back and thoughts tumbling through his head when the tablet came to life again and a familiar voice, thought unlikely to be heard again, said his name.

"Charley!" His face lit up at seeing her and he couldn't have held back his grin even if he'd wanted to. "It really is you! Oh, this is wonderful!"

[ voice ]

[freezecharm.livejournal.com]

You seem to be handling things quite well. Better than most people, I should say.

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

The Doctor's face loomed in close to the screen as he tried to see if there was someone there or not, drawing back once he noticed the little icon that just stated 'voice'.

"Do I look like most people to you?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. He didn't wait long for an answer before continuing. "Never really seen much point standing around complaining or worrying about things. Much better at jumping in and seeing how I go..."

He smiled faintly at what he could see of the city via the windows he was standing in front of, then his gaze dropped back to the device. "Do you have a name? I'm the Doctor."

[visual]

[lionofolympus.livejournal.com]

"Welcome to Taxon!" Hercules greets, giving the Doctor a thumbs-up. "I am Hercules, local do-gooder and general hero to mortals."

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

The man's way of introducing himself was a little... odd, and the Doctor's brow creased as he silently mouthed the word 'mortals' to himself, filing it away for later.

"Hello, Hercules," he said, sloppily mimicking the thumbs-up. "I'm the Doctor, intergalactic fixer-of-things and general... doctor..."

He trailed off and frowned. "That didn't work too well, did it? Maybe I should try again?"

[Visual]

[a-pretty-fire.livejournal.com]

He had an unfamiliar face, but the names that rolled off his tongue - the medicine woman that had befriended the Angel Beast's little gang and the boy that she watched but cover never taste - were ones that she knew well.

It was him, wasn't it? Their captors had returned the Master and now they were reuniting him with his Doctor.

... a new Doctor. All new and exciting and fresh. His eyes were old but his face was young.

"The universe sings beneath your skin," she purred.

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

Well. That was a little unusual.

"Right..." the Doctor said slowly, drawing the word out. "That's nice to hear, isn't it?"

He smiled encouragingly and waited a moment to see if she felt like introducing herself before giving in and asking; "And... who are you?"

[Visual]

[allthatlife.livejournal.com]

"Doctor?"

It wasn't really a question. She'd have recognised him even if he hadn't brandished the sonic screwdriver and mentioned her name. His immediate curiosity. The way he spoke at 100 miles an hour without pausing for breath. And his eyes. His face had changed but something in his eyes - age and intelligence and an attempt to brush aside the terrible things he'd had to fight through - had remained the same.

It could only be the Doctor.

He must have regenerated. The knowledge of that - and the knowledge of what caused a regeneration in a Time Lord - took the edge off Martha’s delight, but she still smiled at the tablet.

"It's so good to see you." A pause. "Welcome to Taxon."

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

"Martha!"

The Doctor's face filled the screen for a moment as he peered at her image, grinning in delight, then he drew back again. "It is you! Look at you! Oh, it's been a while, hasn't it? How have you been?"

While the Doctor was eager to hear about how Martha had been doing since he'd last seen her on Earth and in this new city, the question would also hopefully let him know exactly when Martha was from, just in case there was anything he should have to keep to himself around her.

[visual : locked]

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Well. This is fairly... new. But the Doctor's not exactly going to go around mistaking herself, and that's definitely a self. She takes a moment to compose herself, calm down the little flutters of ridiculous nerves - she is confronting her future, after all, her very male future. Rassilon only knew how that happened (though the Doctor had a few suspicions she'd rather not voice).

"Doctor? This is the Doctor speaking."

[Visual/locked]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

He'd assumed - hoped really - that there was some sort of mistake when Kara had mentioned there being another Doctor here who was a woman. Maybe someone claiming to be him, though it wouldn't have explained the TARDIS she'd mentioned unless that someone was another Time Lord, and he couldn't imagine why they'd claim to be him. Worse case scenario was that it was a future regeneration of himself who had, for some reason, regenerated into a woman.

Either way, he hadn't been expecting to answer the tablet and find himself talking with someone whom he knew instinctively was not only himself but far, far younger than he'd expected.

"Oh. Hello," he said. There was a silence that was slightly too long before he continued. "Hello, Doctor, that is. Because you're sort of me and you're..."

He made a loose hand gesture at the screen, attempting to indicate everything at once about her before trying again. "Young. And also a girl. How is that possible? I can't be that young and a girl; I'd remember being you."

[visual: Locked to Wesley and the Doctor]

[demonologist]

Wesley's curiosity is piqued, of course. He also has a warning for the newcomer.

"I expect everyone's explained the situation to you now. Taxon. Inter-dimensional nexus slash menagerie run by alien hamsters and so on. Judging by your manner and that device you have in your hand, you're most assuredly another version of The Doctor. My name is Wesley Wyndam-Pryce and if you're a good friend of Doctor Jones' then it's an honour to meet you.

I feel I ought to inform you that The Master is here. Harold Saxon."

[visual: Locked to Wesley and the Doctor]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

"Hello there!" the Doctor greeted cheerfully when the tablet came to life yet again. "Getting attention from all over, aren't I? How many of there are you? Maybe I should set up a message bank?"

His quick smile implied that was supposed to be something of a joke, and he nodded at a few of the points Wesley listed. "Still not sure why they're called hamsters, but they've been mentioned, yes. I've spoken with Martha too - wonderful to see her again! - and... the other Doctor. If there's only one?" He hoped there was only one, or that if there were others, they were ones he recognised. The Time Lady here already was disconcerting enough.

He had other questions for the man, naturally, but his warning stopped the Doctor cold. "The Master?" he said, and his earlier good humour was gone, replaced with a oddly strange and tired expression. "...no, he can't be here. Unless... Wesley, this is important, so please listen; what did he look like?"

[visual]

[aworldenchanted]

"Is that, um, a sonic screwdriver, by any chance?"

Tara's not sure whether she hopes it's the Doctor or not; the other Doctor who came to Taxon was too different to feel like her friend, and if this one was more like her friend, with the Master on the loose... Still. Wait and see and go from there.

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

"Hello!" the Doctor greeted when the tablet came to life again with another new face. A new face that knew a thing or two, though maybe not from him. The other, younger, female Doctor?

"Sonic screwdriver? Might be, have you seen one before?"

[visual | locked to the Doctor]

[supercompacted.livejournal.com]

She waits for a short while, sort of assessing the situation. He's certain to have lots of people contacting him, after all. But considering his reaction to the situation, the people he calls for- she has no doubt in her mind that it's the Doctor. Nice to know about the regenerating thing this time around.

She does eventually switch on the tablet, though, locking it nearly automatically. "I'm sure you've been getting some answers, but I can help if you've got any more questions. Somehow I'm betting there'll always be more questions. I'm Fred Burkle, and I'm going to guess you don't know me, but if you do...well, I guess you do, then." She smiles, a little sheepishly.

[Visual/locked to Fred]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

"Fred Burkle?" he repeated, trying the name out. It was a bit weird, and not really what anyone might expect looking at the name's owner. Good kind of weird, though. Taking people by surprise.

"Fred... Sorry, not really ringing any bells," he said apologetically. The face wasn't triggering anything either. "How do you know me?"

[visual]

[timedaughter]

When Jenny had first arrived in Taxon, she'd been very pleased to see Martha Jones, both because she was a friend and because Jenny felt that Martha's presence somehow heralded the arrival of her father. When the Doctor had come, it had been a female Doctor who hadn't known her. She was from a time before Jenny's birth, and from another reality entirely. It was that, and not the issue of gender, that had upset Jenny, and it's because of that that Jenny is a bit subdued when she addresses the man she knows to be her father. His appearance is altered, but she has no way of knowing whether that means he's a future incarnation or a past one.

"There's plenty of getting lost around here, but not nearly enough running, if you ask me. Hullo, Dad." She hopes so much that he knows her.

[Visual]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

When the image popped up on his tablet, the Doctor stared at it for a long moment. It was a face he hadn't ever expected to see again, someone else carefully locked away with other memories of people he'd lost over the years.

"Hello," he said eventually, his voice a little rougher than it had been before. "Jenny."

He fumbled awkwardly for something else to say, finally settling on; "...how have you been?"

voice; private

[syncopath]

[He's watched and waited for as long as he could stand, but that's never been terribly long with the Doctor. A Doctor who knows him, and yet he still doesn't recognize the body. Whatever this City is after, it's proven little more than frustrating thus far. Still can't send him the proper one.

The Master does have the presence of mind to make absolutely sure his location is still hidden on the map, the transmission hopefully just as untraceable. For good measure, he decides not to use the visual option. No point in making this any easier for him.]

Well, well. You're turning out to be quite the disappointment, aren't you?

[Visual/locked]

[ialwayscomeback.livejournal.com]

He'd been told that the Master was here from a few sources, learned enough to even narrow it down to a good idea of what he looked like and when he was from.

But it was different entirely when the anonymous, untraceable message arrived on his tablet.

The Doctor stared at the device, knowing full well the other Time Lord could see him, the brief clenching of his jaw one of the few signs of exactly how much hearing that voice, that familiar voice, affected him.

"Master," he acknowledged. He made himself smile, a grim, bitter sort of smile but still a smile, and continued. "Or should I say Saxon? I've been told that's what you're telling people to call you here. But I thought you'd given up on that name."