CHAPTER FOUR
Rose mentally felt as though she was floating in space. Her mind felt light, empty…as though it was waiting to be filled with all sorts of information. She remembered her name, but little else. She could feel her arms reaching out for something…but it was as though she was a disembodied entity, like her arms weren't really there. What had happened, she wondered. Where was she? Had she died? Of course not, her mind told her. There was no such thing as the afterlife; there were only the vortex and the matrix, the nexus of all Time and Space. As she seized on the words "Time" and "Space", her mind wrapped around the sensations she felt, the connection to those concepts. To her, they were not mere words, but her whole existence.
Her eyes flew open. She became aware of several senses all at once…her sight not only saw the lights overhead, but myriads of colors dancing in the chamber she inhabited. Her sense of smell told her that she was in a medical facility, but it also told her about the scent of the computers, her own perfumed body, the cool dewiness of her skin…and something…no, someone else. The one she smelled was like her…she knew it. But he smelled like a male version of her. She could detect his pheromones as clear as she could see the orange skies of…Gallifrey in her memory. What was Gallifrey? Was it a person? Was it the name of the stranger who bent over her?
"Where am I?" She asked. Rose peered at the figure bending down to run a final check on her. She felt the stirrings of his mind; it reached to tickle her own as he released her from her bonds. The touch of strong, masculine hands was what she felt next. She grabbed them with her fingers and marveled at the excitement coursing in her veins. Rose could hear her hearts beating, or were they his? Was it hearts…or heart? But no, it couldn't be that she had ever had one heart. She sat up slowly, repeating her earlier question.
The man who'd bent over her asked her, "What do you remember?"
Rose concentrated for a moment, then replied, "I remember being in here, and being in a lot of pain…but it seems better now. Was I in an accident?"
"You were confused," the man responded, "and you were unconscious for quite some time, but now you are on your way to recovery."
"But, I don't understand…you know who I am?" Rose queried.
The man nodded. "Yes, dear Rose, I know exactly who you are…and what your purpose is," he said, a look of determination crossing his handsome face. He took her hand, tugging on her arm until she got down off of the table. "Come, I will show you many things."
Rose felt no fear as she let the man lead her to a chamber with a garden in it. Vines smothered the walls in the dark room. In the center lay a circle with markings on it. A smooth stone in the center of the circle, grey in its pearlescence, started glowing. Amidst the vines on the wall, Rose noticed a panel. The panel opened suddenly to reveal a gate with the same markings that were on the stone. Rose stepped forward, staring at the gate. She could see all of the stars, planets, and heavenly bodies in it. The tableau kept switching to other stars, other planets, visions of Space. She found herself hypnotized by the views she saw at first, but after a moment, ran to hide behind the man.
"What's wrong, my dear?" he asked in a mocking tone. "Can't face infinity?"
Rose shielded her eyes, shaking her head. The man pushed her forward without mercy, thrusting her eyes open with his fingers so that she stared at the endless parade of star systems. "Please…" she pleaded, "no more."
"But you must see what you are the ruler of…" the man half said, half commanded. Rose's eyes widened as she absorbed all realities…all places…all of history. She walked forward, growing bolder with each step she took.
"I rule all of this?" She asked, looking back at the man.
"We both are rulers," the Master said. "Do you recall your destiny now?"
Rose turned back to the gate and nodded finally, as clarity came to her. "I am a Goddess…a Ruler of Time, the Queen of all I survey," she said in a flat, emotionless voice.
"And what am I to you?" the man asked.
Rose looked to him, saying, "You are my Master, my King, my reason for living. There is no life for me without you." She gave him her hand. The Master smiled, kissing her fingers.
"And what is your purpose?" the Master asked.
Rose smiled…an evil reflection of his own, as she said, "To bend other lower subjects to my will, and to exact my vengeance on those who have wronged me!"
"Yes…yes…" the Master urged. "And…" he crossed over to a screen, turning off the switch to the gate and turning on a hologram of the Doctor. "What about this one?" the evil Time Lord asked.
"Who is he?" Rose questioned, staring at the Doctor's round face, brown eyes, and freckles.
"Why…he is the Doctor, my dear," Koschei replied. Rose's face twisted with hatred; her whole body shook with anger.
"He must be destroyed! He will be destroyed…for trying to usurp our rightful place as the Rulers of all!" Rose ground out bitterly.
"Don't worry yourself my pet," the Master said, coming to her and rubbing her back. His hands reached up and massaged her ears. "He will pay for his insolence…but for now, there are some loose ends which need taking care of." He stared at her attire suddenly, commenting, "I think you need more suitable clothes for a Goddess of Time, don't you?"
Rose looked down at her skirt and top, saying, "Yes, I do."
"Then come with me…I'll show you where the wardrobe room is," the Master instructed. He took her hand in his, and the pair walked out of the medical area.
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Rose emerged from the wardrobe room an hour later, adjusting the hat perched on her head. The former waitress was dressed in a fuchsia colored ensemble, which included a form-fitting vest with matching buttons going down its center; pants resembling culottes with brown fur on the end, and high heeled boots in a dark brown hue. Her hair was expertly coiffed. It was in a stylish upsweep. More than her clothes, there was an arrogant air about her. It matched the Master's perfectly.
She came into the console room, complete with the last part of her attire…a pink parasol with fur on the end of it. "Where are we headed?" She asked as she peered at the rotor going up and down.
"Earth," the Master replied. "I thought you'd want to pay your sire a visit. I've set the coordinates for one month hence."
Rose frowned, saying, "Yes…I do. I think he needs to be taught who is his superior!" She grinned evilly as she looked at the TARDIS database. Presently, the ship landed in Powell Estates. Rose stepped out first, almost gagging at the London smog.
"Oh!" She cried, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Will these Terran primitives ever learn? How can they live like this?"
The Master followed her, looking for all the world like he was going to a dinner party. "They never learn; they're stupid primates…that's why we must teach them, or kill them if they don't obey us," he said. Rose's only response was to pull down her vest.
She sighed, muttering, "Then let's get this over with. I grow bored with these insolents!"
"Patience, my pet," the Master said. "You'll deal with the humans of this world soon enough." He caressed her cheek, adding, "You'll be my special messenger…a harbinger of what is to come. But first…." They continued walking toward Powell Estates, and Pete Tyler's flat.
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Pete Tyler sat quietly in his kitchen, drinking his beer and reading a paper. He hadn't seen nor heard from his daughter in as much as thirty days, and this was not like her. She always returned, no matter how much he beat her. She knew that his home was hers, and that no life existed for her without his. Damn her! He thought. He decided that he might have to look for her after all…he couldn't risk getting rid of his gravy train. Rose's pay gave him the money he needed for booze…and besides, where else was he gonna get a free blow job from?
Pete could go to his friend Tripper's house. Unlike him, his friend had connections. Maybe he could fix Pete up with some jobs for Tripper's superiors. If Pete could get in good with the bosses, he could bring home big bucks. It was no consequence to Pete how he earned his keep…he didn't mind killing someone, or raping someone's girl, as long as he got paid, and as long as the booze and the belles kept flowing. The only thing that stank about all this was his erstwhile daughter. If the chit found a sympathetic ear to spout her big mouth to…he was finished. He knew how many decades proven rapists could rot in a British prison. He grabbed the letter opener she'd stabbed him with a month ago. He was determined to return the favor, watching the blood flow out of her traitorous body.
Outside of Pete's flat, Rose glanced at the place she'd existed in for most of her life. "I can't believe I was here for nineteen years of my pathetic life as one of them," she muttered, asking the Master, "what was I thinking?!"
"What matters is that you have embraced your true nature," the malevolent Time Lord told her. "Don't take too long, pet…I'm going back to the TARDIS, unless you request that I stay…" he said.
Rose shook her head, saying, "I can deal with this myself." She watched the Master's retreating form, then looked at the perimeters of the front door. Putting her perfectly manicured fingers against its frame, she used her newly acquired strength to push it down.
Pete Tyler heard the crash and ran into his living room. What he saw caused him to smirk. His daughter was there in a souped up garment which must have cost a fortune. He wanted in on whoever gave her the togs she wore; she wouldn't be the only one to get some money out of this.
"Kid," he greeted.
Rose's response was to raise a brow. "Hardly," she bounced back. Rose walked closer to him, but made no other moves.
"Came back to your old man, eh? I'm glad to see you," Pete said. He took another swig of his beer and broke the glass against the wall.
"Wish I could say the same, but I'd be lying," Rose observed. She caught a whiff of his drunkenness and tried not to puke at the pungent odor Pete gave off.
"Where'd you run off to?" Pete asked in a menacing voice. "An' where'd you get them fancy rags?"
"Come an' find out," Rose purred, her voice deceptively sweet. Pete came closer, determined to take her until she gave in. His arm snaked around her waist, but Rose grabbed his other arm, pinning it behind his back. Pete cried out in pain, as Rose mocked, "Ooohhh, so sorry. Does it hurt? Did I do a boo-boo?"
"You'll pay for that, you bitch!" Pete shouted. Rose spun him around with lightning speed, pinning him against the wall with her arm.
"'Don't think so," she ground out. She backhanded her sire all of a sudden, the force of her assault slamming him on the floor. She bounced on top of him, taking in his shocked expression. "Extremely bored now…" Rose said, hefting Pete up with one hand.
Pete looked at her with utter disbelief. Was she on cocaine, or something? How did she get so strong all of a sudden? He tried to defend himself, but Rose kept knocking him around until he slumped against the living room wall. She grabbed his face between her hands, saying, "I think it's time you realized who is your better…"
Pete saw the lights in Rose's eyes. He had never seen such depth…such colors shining out from them. It was almost like she wasn't human, but some…he couldn't find the right word. He tried to look away, but he couldn't take his eyes off of his daughter's. The elder Tyler felt a burning sensation in his mind, as though it were being stripped away.
"Funny…" he heard Rose say from a distance, "the Master never told me about this ability!" Pete heard her screaming…or was it him? She forced him to look even deeper into her eyes. He screamed louder; so intense was his daughter's mental rape of his mind. Rose's eyes lit with pure lust…and pure hunger as she cried, "Yes…yes…give me more! More of your mind…your very essence!" Pete's dreams, thoughts and memories swam before her…she could hear voices from his past. Rose laughed, savoring the sensations she felt. She let Pete go as she sensed him losing consciousness. He fell to the floor in a heap, breathing heavily. Rose released him, licking her fingers as though she had just finished a succulent meal.
She returned to the Master's TARDIS presently, watching him make some calculations. "So," he said, "You have returned."
Rose ran her gloved finger along a wall in the Master's console room, saying in a child like voice, "I took him…but I feel so empty. I need more." She came closer to the Master, tugging him away from the computer he stood by. "Show me your mind…" the young Time Lady said. "I know it's not like Pete Tyler's. It's stronger…not weak, like his!"
The Master chuckled, saying, "I will, but you realize you won't be able to subdue me the way you did him, right?"
Rose pouted, saying in a mock hurt voice, "Really?"
The Master's mind reached out to hers. Rose felt the colors of his thoughts at first, and then some brief impressions. She could hear the drums in his mind…their siren song drifting into her conscious thoughts as her mind and the Master's became one. She saw the Master as a little boy, gazing at infinity through the Gate to Time. She witnessed his defeat several times at the hands of the infidel the Doctor, her hatred matching his. She felt the burning of the idiotic Time Lords, now her people, and their anguished screams as they were engulfed by flames.
She heard the voices of the Master, or was it the Doctor, or was it the High Council? Rose had such trouble discerning which was speaking in her mind's eye. The young Time Lady giggled as the grip of madness seized her. She craved…she drank…she feasted on the Master's superior mind, as a newly created vampire drinks the blood of its sire and then lusts for more.
"Ooohhh!" Rose exclaimed, savoring her connection with her monarch, a desirous look in her insane eyes. She hummed a wordless tune, caught up in the buzz she got from the Master's mind.
The Master released her suddenly, not wanting his pupil to get too much power from him. Better, he knew, to feed an addiction…create a need so powerful she'd do anything to satisfy it.
"More!" Rose insisted. "Must have more!"
"Not yet, my insatiable one," the Master said softly. He walked over to her, stroking her, satisfied that now she was like him in every way. Every one else, including the Doctor, was crazy, but not his Rose. His Rose…he was totally enthralled with his possession…a junkie for mental energy that would topple worlds for him just to get her next fix.
"But the voices…they call me, begging for me to take them…" Rose said in a sing song voice. "I must. I need more…."
"And you shall have it," the Master said, "as soon as I have programmed the exact Earth coordinates I am seeking."
"And I'll be able to drain all the minds I want?" Rose eagerly asked, giggling again.
"You have my sincerest promise, my dear," the Master said. Rose smiled a manic smile. Her ruler was so good to her.