How did it come to this?
These six words were all that was running through my head as I staggered to the controls of the small escape pod, and typed in co-ordinates with bloody fingers. I winced as I jostled my injured midriff on the edge of the jutting control panel.
How did it come to this?
The Doctor.
That's how.
But this time, I didn't hate him for it. It was for the best. Our once mighty race had fallen, not only fallen to war, but to the corruption that was eating it from the inside. No longer did I feel the need for revenge. I had given up that childish goal when the war started.
I couldn't let petty grudges get in the way of the war effort. Though being how it was a tough habit to break, I had managed to at least be civil, even in my current body, which seemed to be hot-headed and impulsive. Not that I would know very well; I had only regenerated a week ago.
This body was nice while I had it. It was a refreshing change to emitting a generally emotionless mask. It was the impulsive part that was a problem, though.
What had I gotten myself into?
I was discussing with the Doctor. He needed to open the eye of harmony, but there was a Dalek fleet in the way. He was going to go on it, blow it up. Then I would open the eye of harmony. I don't think he had any intention of coming out alive.
For once in his life, he was being selfish. He did not want to be to blame for destroying Galifrey. Or perhaps, he just didn't think he was strong enough. Whoever did the deed would be likely to survive. Live life as the last of the Time Lords. He is much more worthy of carrying on Galifrey's legacy than I am.
After all, I was cruel to him for near enough eight-hundred years before I grew up a bit. Funny how it took the Time war to bring me round. I guess I really was stubborn.
And so, I planned on blowing up the ship instead. He tried to talk me out of it, but I wouldn't let him. There was still a chance I would survive, get in an escape pod. If I got far away enough I might even escape the Genocide of my people.
He asked me why I insisted. As I said, it was the impulsive part of this body that was trouble. I kissed him. Pressed my lips to his. After, I ran straight off, not seeing the shocked and bewildered expression left on the Doctor's face. Not admitting, even to myself, that I had wanted to do that since we were fifty.
So I ran, onto a Dalek fleet. I blew it up, and here I was. In an escape pod, clutching the gaping wound where I had been clipped by a Dalek laser as I ran from the exploding controls. I would be regenerating soon. For the sixth time, into my seventh body. But I couldn't yet. I wasn't far enough away. I couldn't leave the Doctor alone. Not now, not when I had come to my senses.
It was then I realized I was not far away enough. The Time Lock had already been put in place; there was no going back. Though that was shielding me, I was still too close. I would be struck by the second wave of the explosion caused by the eye of Harmony under the citadel being open for too long.
I thought struck me. I still had the vortex manipulator, from all those years ago. When the war started, I kept it with me, just in case. You could never be too prepared. I fumbled in my pockets with the oversized jacket getting in my way. I had not even had time to change clothes after my last regeneration. I did not even know for sure what I looked like. I knew I was short, with tanned skin and short, deep purple hair, but other than that I had no idea. I would never know what I looked like.
I reached past the pendant I had kept after all these years, past the staser I had on me at all times, and finally found the vortex manipulator in my bigger on the inside pockets. I smirked slightly through the pain and, pulling it out, I carefully undid the back, taking in the mess of wires. I would have to be careful, especially as the pod started to shake ever more violently. The first wave had hit; I would need to be quick.
I swiftly stooped under the controls, pulling off a panel and fiddling with the wires, attaching them to the Manipulator. This would be difficult as the technologies were barely compatible, but adaptable.
After working for a few minutes, it was finally done. I put the vortex manipulator in the opened panel, so it would not fall and, not bothering to replace the panel, stood back up. The pain was blinding now. I adjusted the controls some more, further bloodstaining the metallic buttons.
With a vwarp, the manipulator teleported us away from Galifrey, the last glimpse on the view screen was the sight of my beloved planet burning, and a tear slip down my cheek as I Slid to the floor, barely conscious.
Just moments ago, I could hear the Time Lords screaming as flames consumed them. Now, there was nothing. For the first time in my nine-hundred years, I could hear nothing but silence, where before there had been the comforting embrace of the presence of thousands of Time Lords, though less comforting as of late.
I knew I was falling, but I couldn't bring myself to do anything about it. I was dying anyway, what was the point? I was falling…falling. The co-ordinates must have been off. Or I might not have connected the vortex manipulator properly. Most likely both; I was a little rushed.
Absently I wondered if the Doctor had survived. I already knew he had succeeded. I could feel the fruit of his success in my mind. And the grief was crushing me.
The pod continued to shake ever more violently, and I knew I was nearing impact. Closing my eyes, I clutched at a piece of metal jutting out from the wall. With a jolt, the pod collided with the ground, and I could feel it skidding, leaving a trail. I was shoved forward by the force of the crash, banging my head on the controls. I was now desperately resisting unconsciousness.
I could not regenerate in this enclosed space; who knew what would happen? Clutching my blood soaked jacket to my injury, I staggered drunkenly to my feet. Fortunately, the door had not jammed shut; otherwise I would never get out. Giving it a weak shove, the door to the pod fell off, landing with a thud on the scorched earth.
Losing the little strength I had, I fell forward, landing on my face.
It was dark, night time then. Immediately, I noticed a faintly familiar voice speaking, and rolling me over to my back. I could barely think, the pain was so great. I could already feel the regeneration energy washing over me. It was a wonder I had held off for so long. I pushed the woman away as I got to my feet, my imminent regeneration giving me strength.
She tried to go towards me again, but I stopped her.
"Don't come any closer," I said, wincing, "it's too dangerous,"
"But you're hurt," she protested, once again walking forward.
I pushed her away, just in time as Golden light covered me and I could feel my body changing. My hair grew longer, and my eyes changed colour. I was half aware that I was screaming, but didn't really pay attention. I was concentrating on a certain hair colour.
With a gasp, the regeneration cut off. I looked down at my hands, and noticed that they were smaller, more delicate than my last bodies. Those were rough and callused due to my constant handling of weapons. Leaning my head forward, long hair swung into view. I was concentrating on black, but the woman must have been more of a distraction that I thought.
Looking up, expecting her to have run off, I was surprised to see her standing there looking confused. Not shocked, or scared, but confused. That was surprising. Maybe she was one of the Doctors strays. Wait... There was a name, but what was it? Yes I had definitely met her before.
Before I could stop myself, I said, "You distracted me!"
"I-I'm sorry?" Oh now she was definitely confused.
"I wanted to have black hair, this is blond," I complained, holding up of the long and thick hair to the dim starlight. Looking down at myself, I continued, "Now what have I got this time... Legs, that's good. They're rather long, aren't they? Ok, I'm rather tall. No, make that average. I'm only tall compared to how I was," hopping on one foot, I lifted the other up and clutched, examining it.
"Well the feet are rather small. Never-mind. Oh, what's that?" I exclaimed, my gaze now concentrating on a tattoo of my favourite Gallifreyan flower, Karu, "ohh, a tattoo. I haven't had one of them since...my third incarnation...I think,"
A memory struck me, and I looked up at the bewildered ape. Yes, I remembered! Sarah-Jane!
"Who are you, how do you know me?"
"Oh, did I say that out loud?" I didn't give her chance to finish, as I continued, "I'm... I'm... I can't remember. Oh, wait a moment; it isn't that I can't remember. I just don't know yet. You don't happen to have a mirror do you?"
"No I- look, if you don't know who you are could you at least tell me your name?"
I blinked, "names are funny things aren't they? I could tell you my name. I'm not sure if I will. After all, what's a name but a label? And what's a label but a stereotype. I have been called many things. Scholar, bookworm, even President once!" She was looking very confused now. But my, this body could definitely talk!
"I suppose you would know me as Secarina,"
"Secarina?"
"Yes, is that not what I said! Hello!" I exclaimed, waving and taking a step forward.
The moment I moved, my legs gave out under me and I collapsed on the floor, the events of the last few days coming back to me. The last thing I heard before the world dissolved into blackness was Sarah-Jane's panicked cries.
Sarah-Jane stared in shock at the unconscious Time Lady in front of her. When Mr Smith had informed her of a small pod entering the atmosphere, this was not what she had expected. She especially didn't expect Secarina, and looking as injured and bloody as she was. She had no idea how she had got that way, and didn't think she even wanted to know.
Perhaps just as surprising was the massive change that regeneration had brought about. While she knew that it changed personality as well, it was like Secarina was a completely different person, though Sarah-Jane supposed she had been through several since she had last seen the Woman. While before she had been closed off, rarely talking unless to answer a question, this one never stopped. It was like she spoke her entire thought process out loud. She didn't even realize it at first!
Shaking herself out of her stupor, Sarah-Jane walked forward, crouching at the side of Secarina. After checking her pulse, she wondered how she was going to go about this. She couldn't hide the pod, and it was likely that the authorities were on their way. She had to get the Time Lady out before that though, that was certain. Thanking that it was night so there wasn't that many people around, Sarah-Jane half-carried half-dragged Secarina away from the crash site and through the sparse grove of trees that the pod had landed in.
After five minutes of struggling under the weight of the new blond, she finally reached her little car, and laid her across the back seat. Unfortunately, there was not much she could do to strap Secarina in. She would just have to drive carefully.
Hopping into the driver's seat, Sarah-Jane started the car and drove off of the large park and drove towards home. She made sure to drive slowly, and not turn any sharp corners.
Eventually, she pulled up at Bannerman road, entering the driveway to the house where she lived alone. Getting out, she first opened the front door, then went back and one more half-carried Secarina inside. She was getting too old for this. Once in, she put her down on the sofa; there was no way she was carrying her upstairs!
After locking her car and shutting the front door, she returned to the Time Lady, who seemed to be in a deep sleep. Sarah-Jane made sure Secarina was in a comfortable position on the sofa. She then grabbed a blanket and draped it over her. Sarah-Jane didn't think she could manage changing her out of the slightly oversized blood-stained clothing.
Sighing, she went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, so she could wait for Secarina to wake; she had so many questions! It would be a long night…
A/N: ONe more chapter and we'll be getting into the season 2 episodes! Also, this will be the last chapter for at least a week, as I am going on holiday. I hope you liked it, please like and favourite and leave a review. Constructive criticism is welcome - I'm always looking to improve. :)