The Path to Absolution
I started working on this story months ago; it's been long enough that I can't recall when I began it. Time constraints and writer's block made this a very long process. I finally found time and motivation during George Washington's birthday, so I just started typing. Given that, this story probably doesn't compare well to my other efforts, but I wanted it finished, so here it is.
I like placing my stories in continuity even if the show has no bearing on it, so the flashbacks take place between Boom Town and Bad Wolf. The present story takes place between Blink and Utopia.
The flashbacks are told in reverse chronological order simply because they are more informative that way. Only the first chapter has flashbacks. I debated a lot about whether the second chapter should have flashbacks or if things are explained enough that the flashbacks would be redundant. If you read this and have an opinion about that (or anything else related to this story, feel free to share). Thanks for getting this far.
Chapter 1: Return to Aspen
-FLASHBACK-
"They told me that Zoby Leard will recover," the Doctor said.
"I know what you must think of us, Doctor. We dumb apes are so irresponsible," a woman told the Doctor.
"No, just some of you," the Doctor replied.
"Well, I'm thankful for you helping us contain the situation."
"If you ever need further help, contact me."
"I will, Doctor."
"This can't ever happen again. I want to help make sure it doesn't."
"Certainly."
"Take care, then, Director."
"You, too. Rose, nice to meet you. Elden, good to see you again."
"Likewise," Jack replied.
The Doctor, Rose, and Jack headed back to the TARDIS.
"So, are you going to explain this name of yours?" Rose asked.
"It's a long story," Jack replied.
"We probably have a long trip ahead of us."
-FLASHBACK-
"Oh!" the Doctor exclaimed in the TARDIS. He pulled out his psychic paper.
"What is it?" Martha asked.
"I got a message!"
"People can communicate with you with that?"
"Sure!" the Doctor replied as he set the TARDIS controls to the next destination.
The TARDIS landed with its typical noises.
"Where are we?" Martha asked. "And when?" She stepped out into a hallway and followed the Doctor into a room with monitors.
"This is a human colony, year 4,533. The planet is called Aspen. It has trees that look like aspens."
Nearly a dozen people suddenly burst in wearing uniforms and pointing guns at the Doctor and Martha.
Startled, Martha threw her hands up, as did the Doctor.
"Explain yourselves," a woman said. "Who are you and how did you get access here?"
"It's me, Director Raig. I'm the Doctor." He pointed to the TARDIS. "This is Martha Jones. Martha, this is Caffi Raig, the head of security here."
"You aren't the Doctor."
The Doctor held up his psychic paper. "I got your message. When we found out about the teleportation technology, you said that the story called 'Derby's Labyrinth' dissuaded you from ever wanting to try it."
"I only told one person that."
"You also told me that your daughter wanted to write a story one day about someone who would give up a life of crime for family."
"Doctor, it's you! But –"
"Yeah, don't worry about that," the Doctor replied. "Anyway, I got your message. You have a lead?"
"Yes, but that was almost three months ago."
"Oh! Sorry, complications with time travel."
"It's all right. During those three months, we were able to retrieve the teleportation technology," Caffi explained. "It's dismantled completely."
"Oh, good. Good. What about the fugitive?"
"We have not apprehended him yet," Caffi answered.
"Well, if there's nothing for me to do, I'll be off with Martha. We'll stick around and see the rest of the planet. If I happen to come across Ward, I'll be sure to alert you," the Doctor said, trying to make up for his tardiness.
"Whatever you wish, Doctor."
Later on another continent, the Doctor and Martha were walking through a dense forest of trees with white bark and light green leaves.
"What happened the last time you were here, Doctor?" Martha asked.
"Someone tried to experiment with teleportation. It ended badly."
The Doctor and Martha came across a lot that held several small flying vehicles.
"Hello, sir, ma'am," a man called to them. "I'm Mol Planubenes. Are you interested in a tour? You are completely unsupervised! Just take a levcraft and go!"
"No thanks," Martha answered. "We're just going for a walk."
"Ah, not from this area, are you? A visitor can't just walk through these woods, you must see them from above!"
Martha laughed at Mol's salesmanship. "I think we'll pass on that, thank you."
Mol approached the Doctor and Martha. "All right, I can fake the digital payments and I can fake the dry cell charge records, but I can't fake others seeing the levcrafts in action. You two can take a two-seat levcraft and fly around for free, all right? I'm close to a promotion but the branch director needs to see me put more people up."
"Well, how can you refuse that?" the Doctor said.
The Doctor and Martha flew just above the trees and saw bird-like animals nesting on the treetops.
"I'll admit," Martha said. "This would have been worth some money."
The Doctor felt his psychic paper activate again.
"It's Director Raig," the Doctor indicated.
The TARDIS reappeared near Caffi's office after the Doctor's and Martha's sightseeing trip.
"On time," the Doctor remarked to Caffi.
"Yes," she replied. "Doctor, our sensors indicated an energy discharge in Ywoklize. It was associated with the disappearance of a noticeable amount of mass."
"Teleportation," the Doctor concluded.
"Perhaps the technology has been duplicated," Caffi remarked. "Alternatively, someone else has devised a method. I think it's the former. Unfortunately, the sensors could not be more specific."
"I'll have a look."
"Please take two of my managers with you," Caffi said as she signaled two colleagues. "Rown Tu and Ash Renner."
"Certainly," the Doctor responded. "I remember Rown well from my last visit here."
"We'll maintain regular contact," Caffi added before the Doctor set off.
Soon, the TARDIS appeared in the country Ywoklize. Using the TARDIS' systems, the Doctor located the specific location of the energy signature and at Rown's request, parked near it.
"It would just be a short walk," the Doctor informed as he emerged from the TARDIS with Martha, Rown, and Ash.
"Good," Rown remarked.
The group soon came across two large machines being worked on by several people.
"This quarry was originally used to mine phalter rocks," Ash informed the Doctor and Martha.
"That machine on the right," the Doctor began. "That's for teleportation."
"What about the left? Are they both for the same purpose?" Martha asked.
"I don't know. I have a portable scanner in the TARDIS that can measure energy outputs."
"Take this," Rown instructed the Doctor, giving him a communication device. "Setting 3BA. Open communication."
Later, the Doctor was searching through the TARDIS when he heard commotion from the communication device.
"Who are you?" an unfamiliar voice asked.
"We're just travelers," Martha tried to explain. "Our levcraft had some trouble and we had to land."
"I know you," the voice said. "I've seen your picture before. You're a part of the Ekinnes security force."
"You're mistaken," Ash said.
"Don't lie. Shum, take them to see Zoby."
"Yes, Dave," the Doctor heard.
"Look," Martha began.
"Be quiet, or I'll kill you now."
"Doctor Jones," Ash said. "I knew you should have waited with the ship."
The Doctor realized that Ash was sending a message to him, and the Doctor prepared to call Caffi until he heard a shot.
"You killed him!" Martha cried.
"And you're next if you aren't quiet. I gave warning."
Panicked, the Doctor grabbed a monocular and ran back to the quarry. Along the way, he continued to hear what was happening through his communication device. It seemed that Martha and Rown had met Zoby.
"What are your names?" Zoby asked.
The Doctor could sense the silent tension from his distance.
"I know you are security officers from Ekinnes. There's no point in hiding your identities."
"I'm Rown Tu."
"I'm Martha Jones."
"I didn't realize people still named their children Martha," Zoby replied. "What are you doing here?"
"We're trying to isolate a pattern of energy fluctuations that could be dangerous."
"You're in the wrong place," Zoby said.
"So we'll just be on our way, then?" Rown asked sarcastically.
"Not after what we witnessed," Martha commented quietly.
"We're just building large-scale energy plaques," Zoby said. "It's experimental and proprietary, hence the security. We need confidentiality; otherwise, there's nothing to witness."
A few guards nearby shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah, let's all forget about the murder, then," Rown replied.
Martha glanced at Dave.
"What?" Zoby asked. He noticed Martha's look and addressed Dave. "Did you kill someone?"
"Another Ekinnean security officer. He was uncooperative," Dave answered.
"What's wrong with you? "
"Pyver's orders were to keep the area secure. I have my orders, just as you do."
"Pyver . . ." Rown remarked quietly.
Zoby sighed. "Confine them somewhere."
"Where?" Dave asked.
"Storage room for the space point casings."
The Doctor heard Martha and Rown being locked in a room and the communication was cut.
"Shielding," the Doctor commented. He had arrived in the quarry undetected and investigated the general area. Watching the activities going on, his eyes widened as he noticed Ward Mazarin, the fugitive that Caffi was trying to find.
The Doctor finally approached a group of guards and as expected, was met with guns.
"Who are you?" a guard asked.
The Doctor held out his psychic paper. "John Smith. I'm one of Director Pyver's assistants at MicaRepublic."
The guards lowered their guns.
"I need to see Zoby Leard."
"Mr. Smith," Zoby welcomed the Doctor. "I'm Zoby Leard."
"I'm here about your prisoners."
The Doctor's statement shocked Zoby. "I don't understand."
"The winds sing to Mr. Pyver. I was in the area and he asked me to determine your prisoners' intentions."
"I fear it's about Ward."
"You're working with Ward after what he took from you. Mr. Pyver told me much, but not about that."
"He is my best friend. I am willing to do and forgive much for him, and I think he is willing to do the same."
The Doctor took a closer look at Zoby's neck. "Your scars are barely noticeable."
"Director Pyver hired the planet's best doctors to guide my healing."
Zoby and the Doctor arrived in the storage unit that held Martha and Rown. Martha knew not to speak to avoid exposing whatever plan the Doctor had and Rown followed suit.
"A moment alone, please," the Doctor requested.
Zoby left and the Doctor closed the door.
"Not bad," Martha commented quietly. "What did you tell them?"
"That I work for Director Yuli Pyver of MicaRepublic."
"What's that?" Martha asked.
"It's a global technology corporation," the Doctor answered.
"They are allegedly behind the teleportation experiments," Rown added. "Why is Zoby working for him?"
"I'm not sure. He said he forgave Ward, but something else is going on," the Doctor replied. "Ward's here," he added after a beat.
Soon, the Doctor emerged and asked guards to bind Martha's and Rown's hands. "Not what you feared, but I have to take them to Director Pyver. Also, Director Pyver requested a live update on your progress. Do you mind if I take Ward Mazarin?"
"No, not at all," Zoby hesitantly replied.
-FLASHBACK-
The Doctor entered the laboratory. Emergency medical personnel followed and tended to the many people who lied injured. He noticed that because there weren't enough personnel, two unconscious people who were laying side by side on their backs were not being treated. The Doctor approached them, a man and a woman, and put a hand on the woman's head.
The woman gasped awake.
"What's your name?" the Doctor asked.
"I'm Ramar Cassabi," she replied, shakily.
The Doctor scanned Ramar with his sonic screwdriver, and then scanned the man. He let out a deep breath.
"Zoby?"
"He'll be fine, I promise. His injuries are superficial."
"The blood . . ."
"I'm afraid that's all yours."
"You . . . you'll take care of him?"
"I'll take care of him. I promise. He'll be fine."
"Okay."
"You can rest now, Ramar. You can let go."
Ramar turned to Zoby and put a hand on Zoby's head. She stroked his cheeks.
"I love you so much," Ramar uttered while crying. "I love you. I love you."
The Doctor noticed Ramar's ring and that she had died. He stood up and called for someone to help Zoby.
-FLASHBACK-
"It's bigger on the inside!" Ward exclaimed when he entered the TARDIS.
Martha looked at the Doctor, who didn't respond. He pulled out his sonic screwdriver after setting the controls to take everyone back to Ekinnes.
"How quickly will this take us to Qiron?" Ward asked.
"We're not going to Qiron, we're going to Ekinnes," the Doctor replied while using his screwdriver to undo Martha's and Rown's bindings. He approached Ward with a stern look on his face. Rown stood behind him.
"You've tricked me," Ward realized.
"Four people died last year because of you," the Doctor stated coldly.
"It wasn't me . . ."
"So you keep saying," Rown interjected.
"And it was three," Ward finished.
"What difference does that make?" Rown asked, almost angrily.
"Because you people are working with incorrect facts. If you can't get a simple number of casualties correctly, how can anything else be correct?"
"If it wasn't you, then who was responsible?" the Doctor asked.
"How should I know?"
The TARDIS stopped.
"We've landed," Martha pointed out.
Rown took the ropes that bound him and restrained Ward with them. The Doctor opened the TARDIS doors and Rown left with Ward. The Doctor and Martha followed.
"Thank you, Doctor," Caffi said later.
"It was my pleasure," the Doctor responded.
"While you all were in Ywoklize, did you determine what MicaRepublic was doing there?"
"No. He's being uncooperative?"
"Correct," Caffi replied.
"Perhaps some of Ward's personal effects might give you some clues," the Doctor offered.
"I'm about to go through them now, if you'd like to join me. Rown and Chara are interrogating Ward now."
The Doctor and Martha followed Caffi to a room in which they could see Ward being interrogated. Ward was wearing a white shirt and white pants. All three could hear the interrogation.
"All the belongings are here," Caffi soon said. "There's nothing remarkable, nothing informative."
The Doctor picked up a ring and stared at it.
Martha noticed the Doctor's look. "Doctor, what is it?"
"There's a symbol on this ring. I've seen it before. Director, these effects are all Ward's?"
"Yes."
"Are you positive?"
"Of course. I saw Rown remove that ring himself. What is it?"
"One of the victims, Ramar Cassabi . . ."
"I remember her file," Caffi said. "She was from Qiron, so our records on her are sparse."
"She wore a ring with this symbol."
"What does that mean, Doctor?" Martha asked.
"That's enough!" Rown yelled in the interrogation room, drawing the Doctor's, Martha's, and Caffi's attentions. "Shulon Yaramar, Ennis Kurklen, Ramar Cassabi, and Mary Lund are dead!"
"My wife isn't dead!" Ward countered.
"What?" Caffi asked quietly.
Rown raised an eyebrow.
"She's waiting in Qiron for me to finish this contract."
"What?" the Doctor said.
-FLASHBACK-
Ward let out a noise as a heavy briefcase suddenly appeared right next to him and nearly landed on his right foot.
"Zoby!" Ward cried.
Zoby ran to Ward. "Get out, now!"
"How long is this going to last?" Ward asked.
"I don't know. All of the calculations are wrong now. They missed something. Go!"
Nearby, someone screamed right before disappearing. Zoby and Ward both looked shocked as that person suddenly appeared meters away, with part of an arm embedded in a rail.
"Go!" Zoby yelled.
"Where's Ramar?"
"I'll look for her and get her to safety."
"I can help," Ward said.
"No, this is my mess. This is my responsibility. Please, go."
"You'll find Ramar?"
"Of course I will."
Ward then ran out. As he opened the door, he ran into security guards. A computer then appeared and dropped nearby. The security guards stood agape at what they were witnessing while Ward continued to run and Zoby looked for Ramar.
-FLASHBACK-