9/19/14: This story takes place sometime after The War of The Doctor. I wanted to try something different with an old familiar enemy. Let me know what you think.
"If anyone is there, help us. This war has taken its toll and it's not over."
A single distress call from a lone scientist in a wheelchair. Distraught, he reaches across the void of time and space with a feverent hope. He doesn't know what will happen.
Inside the TARDIS, the newly-married Doctor watches this message with rapt attention. He recognizes the person crying for help. He remembers fighting against him and his soldiers.
The person calling out for help is Davros.
But why? Asks the Doctor to himself. Why would he be calling for help? Why would I be the one to receive this message?
The Doctor calls up his wife, Clara Oswald, who is doing a mission for the Doctor at an orphanage. Because her unique skills as a teacher coupled with her new Time Lady abilities, her breath of knowledge is much greater. She knows what to say at the right exact moment. No one gets left behind, she promises.
"Hello sweetie," says the Doctor to the Governess. "I see that you are wrapping up things where you are."
"Yes, I am. This culture seems to just now learned about irrigation. I didn't tell them directly of course, but I did point them in the right direction."
"That's my Clara. I need for you to see something."
Inside the TARDIS, Clara snaps her fingers and the door opens. She chuckles as she closes the door behind her with a snap. The Doctor & Clara share a kiss and the Doctor leads her over to a console.
"You remember him?" as the Doctor replays the message.
"Vaguely. I did jump into your timestream remember. Some memories I have aren't as clear as they should be."
"Well, this is Davros. The chief scientist of the Daleks. Judging by the date of the message – this is when he was just starting out. Before he presented to the Kaled Scientific Elite his proposal for the creation of the Daleks."
"Wow, so his final solution," says Clara, alluding to a figure in history and his barbaric ways.
"Exactly," says the Doctor.
"What makes him change his mind? Why would he call for help?"
The Doctor walks around his console. "That, I do not know. I was sent to Skaro once to stop Davros' demonstration of the Daleks. I tried to persuade him, but I failed. This may be my second chance, Clara."
The Doctor sets the coordinates as he pulls the lever.
"Where are we going, Doctor?"
"Into darkness."
On the planet Skaro, a young Davros sits in his office looking over his plans on a tablet like screen. Cup of coffee at his side, Davros then sees the various pictures at his desk that he accumulated over the years. The picture of his mother. Pictures of Davros and his friends at the military academy he attended. A junior officer enters his office.
"Yes," he asks.
"You have a visitor here, sir," the younger officer.
"Splendid," says Davros. "Lead him this way."
The officer nods and departs.
The Doctor and Clara walk through the city of Skaro after departing their TARDIS.
"Will the TARDIS be safe?" asks Clara.
"Yes, normally I would be concerned but this is different. This is before they" – referring to the Daleks – "took over. I'm not their enemy. At least not yet."
The Kaleds civilians look at the Doctor & Clara cautiously, but not out of anger or fear.
"Obviously we are seen as strangers, not enemies, Clara."
The Doctor looks above him.
"And the dome is still intact. So where are in the right place and the right time."
Children play hopscotch and the Doctor joins in. The Doctor & Clara smile at each other as they pass through the Kaled Dome. They reach a marketplace and continue on.
"I have never seen Skaro like this. I came here when the city was dead. I arrived here with Susan, Barbara and Ian. That was when I first encountered them, Clara."
"And that's where it all started for you with this enemy."
"Yes, I can't believe I'm here. These people have no idea what their future will look. It's a horrendous and frightening future. In about 10 years, very few of them will be alive."
The Doctor and Clara reach a bunker entrance that says "Kaled Scientific Elite." Clara looks at the Doctor timidly but as always the Doctor knows what to say and do.
"Hi, there was a message I received from Davros. Is he here today?"
The officer guarding the entrance nods. "We'll let him know you are here. If you would, come inside."
The Doctor & Clara reach the bunker inside and look around. Along the long trenches, various Kaleds are moving to various rooms. The Doctor and Clara walk along and see a door marked "Davros, Scientist First Class – Kaled Scientific Elite." The junior officer opens the door and salutes Davros.
"Come in, I've been expecting you," says Davros as he motions to the chairs in front of him.
"I got your message," says the Doctor grimly.
"Yes, I see that you have. As I said – this war is costly. Every day I get reports about Kaleds dying out there –" pointing to the wall – "against the Thals. We never asked for a war. We never wanted a war. I asked my supervising officer 'Why are we fighting?' He could never tell me. He doesn't even remember. All I know is what I am planning on doing is to save the Kaleds. It's the only way. The problem is, no one in high command wants to do this. It would be risky, they said. May result in an eradication of the Kaleds as a sentient way of life. Look at this."
Davros shows the Doctor some blueprints and graphs. It looks like a Dalek.
"This is to be the first prototype. I've run tests on several candidates to make sure they are psychologically fit to undergo the change. I've used a book that I've hidden away – it's a book of prophecy."
The Doctor shudders a bit when Davros mentions the book.
"What's the matter? You know about this book? Anyway, this book tells us that the Kaleds will become like gods. This –" pointing to the blueprint – "is the only way."
The Doctor glances at Clara then at Davros. This Davros is a young idealistic man….before the changes that the Doctor would see later. Davros looks like you or I except for his condition and confidement to a wheelchair.
"I haven't told many people this – but do you know how I got to be this way?" asks Davros.
The Doctor shakes his head no.
"I was seeing a girl in a park. It turned out to be a Thal girl. She was really quite beautiful. She told me how her father didn't want to be associated with a Kaled. "
Shows a young, walking Davros with this girl in a park. Both sit and talk on swing sets.
"Why?" mouths the younger Davros as the current Davros asks. "Because all you want is our land," says the girl. "We had our land for generations and we can't just let you take it. At least that's what my father says." The girl giggles and looks longingly into Davros' eyes. "But I know you are different – you long for something much greater than yourself," Davros narrates.
"So then what happened?"
"I kiss this Thals girl – her name is Shalan – and out of the corner of my eye, I see some Thals officers walking by. They don't notice me obviously. Shalan then sees them and a look of panic hits her face. Without a word, she gets up and says this, 'I can never see you again' and left without saying goodbye."
Clara is shocked at this – one of the Doctor's greatest enemies was just like everyone else? He had dreams, fears, loves, and regrets?
"The next day, I went back to the park. Shalan was gone. I discreetly went to her house and there were police officers standing near the entrance. Shalan was murdered. One of the young Thals officers I spotted from earlier saw me. 'He did it!' pointing at me. A crowd of people surrounded me and began to beat me mercilessly. Thinking I was dead, they leave. I begin to crawl and I couldn't feel like legs. I radioed for help from Kaled security. And this is why I do what I do," pointing to his wheelchair.
"The Thals are capable of violence and of cruelty. They know no other way. We Dals do – we didn't ask for war, but it is here. Every generation of Kaleds has known war. Like I said earlier, I have plans to stop this. But I need your help – I need for you to speak to my volunteer. Convince him to follow through with his conscription. He has to become what he was destined to become."
The Doctor sits back and thinks about this for a long time before responding…..