John Carter's Grudge . . .

Fertal

"Take us to your leader, Martian!" B’Elanna says in a somewhat bombastic voice before smiling slightly and adding: "Please?"

"Uh, it’s okay," I reassure the now staring green Martian. "She’s . . . with us."

. . . .

Hm, quit...

Anyway, it IS nice to see that our old green friend is still around and kicking, as it were. As if yet he has not received the treatment to boost his body to withstand Earth normal gravity (Mars IS rather lighter than back where we just came from) so that explains why he and his friends are still camped out here, but that's by the by.

Sigh.

Now, as nice as it is meeting old friends and such from exotic locals can be I fear that I and my love, Arizza, would rather we NOT have had to make this trip. In the end during planning our next move we WOULD have loudly insisted on this trip even IF the Doctor had not already decided.

See, in a REAL way we are somewhat . . . responsible for this mess. See, my earlier group made it POSSIBLE for the natives of Mars to escape their dying planet and get to Earth. Oh, at the time we didn't know about anything about alien invaders and only God knows how they managed to obtain the plans for those "impulse engine" thingamabobs. Still . . . if nothing else I wanted to find out just HOW. . .

. . . .

Well, later while talking with a surprised (but busy) John Carter we find out that emphasis had been put more on production (breakneck speed production) of evacuation craft and the like than any real thought of security. In the end, I guess the fault could be said to lay at the feet of the Martians, but . . .

Nevermind.

As for the reasons and desires for the OTHERS who came along here, I'll go over most of them here and now. We DO confirm that this is the place (and people) I and Artizza had visited earlier, thank YOU. Quiets any naysayers after THAT, okay. Glad to see that

Honestly, this trip had been more for the Englanders benefit than anything else. What with the TARDIS being the only game in town able to pull this stunt off it fell to us to "play taxi" (if I remember the correct phrase that the Military folks use). While only the Doctor is needed to fly the TARDIS, it isn't like us Companions are going to stay behind and miss out!!

Besides, the Doctor and Inquirer wanted to make Carters' acquaintance as well, if only to . . .

. . .

Well, it goes back to whether or not this Carter isn't an evil twin or whatnot. They wanted to see as well (and to back us up) just in case this was a treacherous version of the man we'd met who might be as bad as the invaders. Who might invade after we finish off (IF we finish off) the first batch.

. . .

Hm, let us put this in a more concise format for easier digestion, eh?

As you may recall, we are on Barsoom to talk to John Carter. I am sure you'd like me to clarify just what we hope to learn from him?

Hm, well here are *some* answers to that.

What is hoped to be learned by the delegation from England's government (represented by Sherlock Holmes) is just how "friendly" this soon to be neighbor (if you can call a guy who's moving to Africa here soon) will be. There are some English interests (colonies and such) that Carter might be interested so it was figured that a face to face might be in order in order to establish the groundwork for diplomacy (to head off any such problems before they happen, perhaps).

Also, it is hoped by the English Government (expressed through Mycroft Holmes at this time but he's sure the Queen shall agree) that some kind of help of MORE substance than just weapons tech data. Perhaps something in the way of material aid (like a ray cannon or three) can be borrowed and brought back by the TARDIS, ala the "Lend Lease Program" like "World War II" (I use terms that Inquirer suggested since MY homeworld's terms and events wouldn't make much sense to most "modern" audiences out there). Maybe on the outside chance of possibility a small (already modified for Earth) contingent of Martian fighters can be transported, to act as on the spot advisors and such (being that they have prior experience this would be a good thing I believe), such like what the "American Green Berets" were supposed (will not speculate on what they actually were over there for, though my old knowledge from my time as human when I had to deal with court politics gives me . . . nevermind) to do for the "Vietnam Republic" Army prior to the "Gulf of Tonken Resolution" getting America into that war over there....

That all makes sense, I hope? Good. I'm not going to repeat myself.

As for the League themselves, they just want to get a measure of John Carter themselves (though Artizza kept telling . . .ah forget it). For the most part they believe Artizza's assessment but they wanted to make sure that this chap IS who Artizza believe he is (i.e. not some kind of evil doppelganger version from another reality).

Well, I guess that makes sense though this doppelganger business (the real deal with all my brothers and sisters back on Terra Prime) IS still new, confusing but exciting for me!!

As for the Champions (US), the more technology minded wanted to know the ins and outs of the invader's technology (and psychology) like radio frequency ranges normally used ("To be better able to jam or spoof them, dearie." Inquirer said whilst mimicking Diane Walker). How encrypted is it (if at all). What motivates these things (in order to better be able to psyche them out or force them to surrender). Do they always go around in their tripods buttoned up (i.e. closed atmosphere to keep out the black smoke when/if they use it).

Issues like that for all concerned.

But there was ONE problem that the Doctor anticipated (and I and Artizza had HOPED wouldn't arise) which . . . needs MY and Artizza's personal touch.

1. See, John Carter as it turns out fought for the "South" in this reality's American Civil War . . . and he remembers (and didn't forgive) England not lending more aid...

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