| "But....." she protests as the evil Time Lord falls to the ground,
shudders and is still.
It is at this time that Kirk, who'd gone down with the away party to
investigate the source of the signal that preliminary analysis of sensor
readings that Spock says is somehow linked with the reason why the Enterprise
was drawn here (instead of being torn to shreds).
The landing party was still materializing and facing the wrong direction
as the scuffle between the adventurers and the Master was taking place,
so all they see is a group of people (some oddly dressed and looking like....and
in actually being....elves).
Kirk pauses for a brief second, noting while what he's about to say
next will not add anything initially useful to this chaotic looking situation,
that in situations like this introductions rarely are looked upon favorably.
Then again, Kirk's past experience tells him that quick introductions
at the beginning are easier than waiting......
The Doctor looks over at the just recently materialized people and notes
that while they appear to be dressed in the same manner as their counterparts
from the TV show Star Trek, he notes that McCoy and Kirk look a
bit older (like something like a decade) than what's been seen in the 1960's
show......
The adventurers pause as the group approaches, and Gilmuriel looks between
them and B'ellana....who seems to recognize these people.
They are dressed in black leggings with strange devices at their belts.
Two wore blue shirts, while one had a gold shirt. One with a blue shirt
had pointed ears like an elf!
"We come in peace." Kirk said, calmly but forcefully, to calm this situation
(hopefully).
"Peace?" Gilmuriel asks brightly, suddenly recalling a dream that
one of his brothers told him of that involved these very people
within them! (see episode 936)
"Yes. We mean you no harm. I am Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation
vessel Enterprise." Kirk continues, addressing everyone. "Can we....offer
assistance? It looks like one of your men is....injured."
That was an vast understatement....
The others have noted the prone figure at their feet, and McCoy is muttering
as he looks down at his tricorder.
"That's nice and well, Kirk or whatever," E'eysha interrupts, looking
nervously down at the prone Master, "And I do happen to think we could
just use a bit of help....since I seemed to have killed the man accidently!"
There is a trace of disgust in her voice. Not that the mad Time Lord
coiuld possibly be dead. Rather, it's aimed at herself. She'd been a warrior
for years, and this accident didn't speak well of her skills!
That and there was the fact that she'd rather wanted the Master to face
trial, rather than take justice into her own hands (even accidentally).
"What?!" The cry went out from all the others present. In the Betty's
and Ragan's case, it was one of extreme shock.
They don't know it yet, but they are mirroring events that are happening
in another timeline/reality.
McCoy rushes forward to attempt to revive the Master.....
"But that's ridiculous!" exclaimed Ragan. "You can't kill a Time
Lord with a piddly blow to the head like that!"
"'Time and the Rani,'" muttered Betty.
Ragan turned and gave her an annoyed look. "But that was... That was
just... That was bad scriptwriting!"
Kirk and Spock exchange glances.
"I believe we are witnessing a similar situation where Stacy Jones said
that in her universe our lives were mirrored in a popular science fiction
television show," Spock says softly in his calm, matter of fact voice.
"I believe you are correct," Kirk says softly back, turning back to
the scene before them.
If anyone can help this.....Master?....then it's old Bones! Kirk
thinks to himself. But no matter what, after this fracis is over, we'll
straighten this out and get to the bottom of this mess!
The Doctor begins to speak, looking a bit taken back by recent events
that have come to light (he'd thought that E'eysha had only managed to
knock the Master out!) He turns and speaks to Ragan.
"Yes, well," said the Doctor, "I agree that it is improbable,
but nonetheless..."
The Doctor then remembers that Betty and Ragan told him that the Master
was in his last Regeneration...... But then just why does he look different
now? Could he have....stolen this body?!
McCoy mutters an oath and looks up at the chattering people. He's
tosses Spock a device, that the Vulcan jerks slightly in surprise and then
quickly deactivates.
"He'd gone," he says simply, "Readings indicate that the signal generator
that he used to bring forth the Enterprise seemed to have weakened the
integrity of his bones! Frankly, I'm surprised that he hadn't noticed his
deteriorating health....nor can I figure out just why he'd carry such a
dangerous device instead of staying well away after activation. It's only
harmful, from what I can tell, when one's practically touching it! That
and VERY long term exposure!"
The others look aghast (except Nyssa, who Inquirer is prying her armband
off).
That's when voices and images out of thin air appear. They mirror what
is happening in Episode 11443.
The Doctor put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's all
right," he said. "He's a Time Lord. He will regenerate." He paused. "It
would be easier on him if we had his TARDIS, poor chap. He'd be best off
in a Zero Room..."
"Uh, Doctor," Betty-1 put in. "I, uh, well, that is..."
"Yes?" The Doctor did a good job of not looking annoyed at her.
Betty's voice was a whisper. "It's just that, well, this was his
last regeneration. Wasn't it?"
"Oh, yeah," her counterpart replied. "it was." The Doctor looked
shocked. "You didn't know that?" Betty-2 said in surprise.
"No," the Doctor whispered.
"But I don't understand!" cried Betty-1. "He held on so tenaciously
in the show! Long after he should have been dead! I just can't see him
going out like this!"
They all stared down at the body for a moment longer.
But the Master's features began to blur and change...
-
 Eyes grow
wide as the Master that E'eysha accidentally killed also begins to do the
same!
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