Chapter 2: Pogres and Gradsden
The Doctor returned to the TARDIS with a thick book in his hands, though around half the pages were missing.
"How are our guests doing?" the Doctor asked Martha, who thought she was alone.
"We are fine and ready to proceed on our own," Brikenna answered from behind Martha, startling her. She was immediately joined by Eyanten.
"It's only been two days," Martha noted.
"Eyanten's injuries were minimal. I heal faster than other Oyrosians, as I've told you, and I want to complete my mission as soon as I can."
"Where are you planning to go next?" Martha asked.
"Pogres," Brikenna answered hesitantly.
"If that's the case . . . " the Doctor began.
"And I need to get to Eliz, now that I cannot return to Agazzina and my part in this adventure is finished. Where are we now?" Eyanten asked.
"Varanus IV," the Doctor answered, to the shock of Brikenna and Eyanten.
"How did we get this far in two days?"
"My ship can travel across great distances rather quickly. It can also travel in time, as I was about to say before. Brikenna, I can take you to Pogres two days ago to make up for your recuperation time; we wouldn't be crossing into your own personal timeline."
Eyanten looked at Brikenna. "You should allow him to help you. You know he could be of great benefit as you complete your mission for the emperor."
"And perhaps you can help me after I've helped you," the Doctor noted, sensing Brikenna's reluctance.
"Fine," she finally said.
…
After dropping off Eyanten in Eliz, the Doctor, Martha, and Brikenna arrived in Pogres, specifically the executive palace in the country Orship.
"The chancellor of Orship maintains a ruse of openness, trying to demonstrate care for the citizens of Orship," Brikenna indicated. "Public tours will be available soon."
"And what will you . . . we be looking for?" Martha asked. She gave the Doctor a look he didn't recognize.
"Eyanten's work uncovered the locations of a sword and a sculpted mineral that fits into the sword's handle. I am here for the latter."
"The Sword of Aple?" the Doctor questioned. "That means we're here for the Loien Pillaci."
"You know them both?"
"I know of them. I didn't have any information concerning their whereabouts, however."
"What's the significance of the two? Why are they worth all this trouble?" Martha asked.
"Together, it's a very powerful device, capable of folding space. Imagine moving star systems, Martha, disrupting orbits, the risk of collisions. They're dangerous, and they look like any other sword or rare gem; most wouldn't recognize them. And more don't believe they are real or know about them at all. That's why so few are looking for them."
"But it's real, and it can do that?" Martha asked.
"Oh, yeah." The Doctor looked sternly at Brikenna. "I have had my suspicions, but I need confirmation now. If you want our help, we need to know what your mission entails."
Brikenna paused. "Then perhaps it is time for us to separate."
"Yeah, we'll do that," Martha said. "And when the tour starts, we'll tell everyone what you're looking for."
Brikenna paused again before giving up. "Eyanten's mission was to locate the two pieces. He had to be careful enough so that those he talked to wouldn't be able to suspect his intent. My mission was to collect his findings and retrieve the sword and mineral."
"Is Emperor Byzlusse behind this?"
"Yes."
"This mission was only for you two, wasn't it?" the Doctor asked, already knowing the answer. "The mission had to be clandestine, with a minimal number involved."
"We couldn't have any support at all. Knowledge of the emperor's plans would legitimize the talk about the powers of the sword and the mineral so only Eyanten and I were involved. That, and the fact that the emperor was looking for them would have had disastrous consequences. We were never supposed to reveal our plans and never supposed to rely on others if something happened, such as my ship crashing."
The Doctor smiled. "All right. Shall we go in, then?"
…
While waiting for the tour to start, the Doctor explained to Brikenna how he suspected that she was on a dangerous mission from Byzlusse based on the disguise of Brikenna's crashed ship and Byzlusse's employment of an Oyrosian and a Sukennan mystic, a rare citizen of the Kian Empire on whom Byzlusse frequently relied.
Inside the palace, the trio pretended to be curious tourists. Midway through the tour, they entered a room full of historically themed displays, similar to a museum. They eventually came across a helmet and two gloves. In between the gloves was an opal gem the size of Martha's fist, approximately. A semi-spherical dome protected the display.
"This plaque says these were used in the unification war," Martha said. "It doesn't mention anything about the gem. It's just there."
"Part of the ruse of openness," Brikenna noted. "Many parts of these displays are fake, possibly stolen as well, like the mineral." Brikenna looked around. "We can return after nightfall to collect the mineral."
"You don't sound pleased about that," the Doctor commented.
"Well, no, it's fine. I just wish there was a better alternative."
The Doctor took out his sonic screwdriver. "I have a better alternative in mind," he said quietly. He pointed the screwdriver and the semi-spherical dome rotated slowly. Then he pointed the screwdriver up. "I'm going to shut off the electricity in this room. Get ready to run."
As soon as the Doctor shut off the lights and cameras, he opened the dome, grabbed the gem, and the three ran out of the room. Once outside the exhibits room, the three pretended to be lost and gradually made their way out of the palace before anyone realized that something was missing.
"Where to now?" the Doctor asked in the TARDIS.
"Gradsden," Brikenna replied. "The sword is in the possession of a man named Tekosi in the country Blisli. However, we will have to stop at a different planet first."
"All right."
"Tell me, Doctor, what other tricks are you capable of performing?"
…
"Oh, hello," Tekosi said to the three individuals at his door.
"Hello," the Doctor responded, while holding up his psychic paper. "We're from the Department of Commerce. Are you in possession of a sword with a transparent blade with two thin black lines, a black grip, and a hollow pommel?"
"Yes," Tekosi answered cautiously.
"You acquired it at an auction, is that right?" Martha asked.
"Right."
"Well, an investigation within our department revealed that many items in that auction were actually fake, including your sword. Luckily, we tracked down the real items and brought you the sword you should have," Martha said while pointing to Brikenna holding a sword she purchased on another planet. Martha wore a smile as she talked, hoping that it would lighten the mood.
Tekosi ushered the trio in and looked at the sword Briknenna was holding.
"I am completely shocked by this revelation," Tekosi indicated. He then left to get the Sword of Aple.
"When is Byzlusse expecting everything?" the Doctor asked Brikenna quietly while waiting.
"He gave me a lot of time. I will exceed expectations by completing this mission today."
"So did you know Eyanten before this started?" Martha asked.
"I attended school in my youth in Sukenna and met Eyanten in a class."
Brikenna stopped talking as she was the first to notice that Tekosi had returned and was pointing a gun at her, the Doctor, and Martha.
"What's so special about my sword?" Tekosi asked.
"It's a fake," Brikenna answered.
"The one you brought me is a fake. I can tell something is going on."
Brikenna approached Tekosi slowly. "Please," she said calmly, "we're just here to sort out a problem our department found."
Instantly, Brikenna knocked the gun out of Tekosi's hands with one of her arms and slammed the other into his throat, leaving him on the ground gasping.
The Doctor was prepared to intercede to prevent permanent harm to Tekosi, but Brikenna relaxed his concerns.
"I am sorry for that, Tekosi, but pointing a dangerous weapon at government officials deserves such a response. We will leave now. Please, enjoy your genuine sword."
Brikenna took the Sword of Aple from Tekosi and looked at the Doctor and Martha. The three then proceeded back to the TARDIS. It didn't take long for the TARDIS to arrive on the planet Hygert, home of the Kian throne.
"We've arrived," the Doctor said.
Brikenna exhaled sharply and closed her eyes.
"Are you all right?" Martha asked.
"I'm very good. I wanted to decline this mission, but I couldn't refuse the empire. I had very strong doubts about my ability to conduct this mission. I've taken so many missteps, but I'm finally done. It's an incredible relief."
"You supplemented your strength to compensate for your concerns," the Doctor offered. "That's how you have been able to heal quickly."
"Yes, I was afraid."
"Well, you're all done now. The only thing left is for you to present the sword and gem to Byzlusse," Martha remarked.
"The emperor will not care any longer about the solitary nature of the mission. The two of you must come with me and share the credit."
…
Brikenna presented the Sword of Aple and the Loien Pillaci to Byzlusse with the Doctor and Martha standing behind her. She also briefed him on everything that happened along the way.
"You have done very well, Brikenna," Byzlusse lauded. "The empire is indebted to both you and Eyanten."
"I merely did my patriotic duty, emperor," Brikenna answered.
Byzlusse looked at the Doctor and Martha. "The empire is indebted to you two as well. Thank you for your assistance."
"Brikenna is responsible for her success, not us," the Doctor said.
"Brikenna, I think you will find your future and Eyanten's future to be full of new possibilities now."
"I understand you might be interested in working with us one day," a voice nearby said.
Brikenna widened her eyes.
"I look forward to it," the man finished.
"Lyle, meet Brikenna, the Doctor, and Martha Jones," Byzlusse said. "This is Lyle Perrin, the supreme galactic judge."
"That sounds like a human name," Martha said as she shook Lyle's hand.
"I'm originally from New York. My father's family originally came from France and my mother's from Australia. And you? I'm presuming you're human, too? You sound British."
"I'm from London."
"Nice city. I've been there before, a very long time ago."
"Doctor, Martha," Byzlusse said. "Is there anything I can do for you two to express the empire's gratitude?"
Martha had no answer, but noticed that the Doctor did before he actually said anything.
"Actually," the Doctor said, "there is."
Later, Martha was in the TARDIS when the Doctor returned with a packet of papers.
"What is that?" Martha asked.
"These are papers that were a part of a display in Zabartia, which happens to be a part of the Kian Empire and under Byzlusse's control. That made the retrieval process quick and easy." The Doctor took out the book that he had acquired earlier and opened it. "Along with the four pages from Agazzina, this book is now complete again."
"What is it?"
"A brief history of Gallifrey."
"You all had books? I thought you'd be more advanced than that."
"This book is very old, Martha; very, very old. It's probably the oldest artifact from Gallifrey in existence now. Actually, it's one of the few left overall."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Keep it here, as a memento. It belongs in the TARDIS with me."
"So you had your own mission for home while helping Brikenna with hers?"
"It was time for me to collect the book. I remember reading an advanced and updated version of it when I was at the academy." The Doctor stared at the book for a few seconds before reverting back to his usual self.
Martha picked up on the difference. She smiled and changed the subject for the Doctor's benefit. "So what now? Are you really going to trust Byzlusse with such a powerful thing?"
"Yeah, like I said, he's a good man. He's ruled the empire for close to 600 years now. I trust him to keep it safe out of dangerous hands."
"So what was that sword made of anyway? It's so beautiful."
"The blade is all diamond, except for the two thin strings of black platinum."
Martha's mouth dropped. "I wish I had a little more time to gawk at it."
The Doctor smiled. "While we're in the area, would you like to visit Chebott, see how things are on that planet now?"
"I'd love to. Let's go."
With that response, the Doctor took control of the TARDIS, and they left Hygert.
END
Thank you very much for reading this story. If you leave a review, thanks a lot for that, too.
