NEW GALACTIC SOLUTIONS
Chapter 11 'Back To the Bad lands' or 'Gammerick's Cruel Plot'
DISCLAIMER: It looks like I have been elected spokesperson this time around, my friends. I'm Kagome Higurashi from Terra but it's so confusing that I'm no longer certain whether I'm from the 20th, 21st, 14th or 15th Centuries! One thing I am sure of is that I'm in the 23rd now and I will never get to return to my home world ever again.
That's OK because all of my friends and relatives are here with me and soon we'll all be 'blazing a trail' to quote Ranger Walker who is also stuck here with us. What he refers to is that we'll be colonizing a new world called 'Victorine' but if you've been following our adventures, this you already know, right?
Anyway we wanna thank Mr Takachiho and all the other great creators whose works, characters, scenes, places, weapons, etc. we have used or may use in the future and we hope that they or anyone else who uses our own creations now or in the future will extend us the same courtesy. What I mean is you can use any of our stuff without fear of reprisals.
Huh? Me? You're sure, Shippou? OK, if she said so, I will. Seems that Commander Huntley has chosen me to be first up as narrator this time around so without further ado, here is Chapter 11.
Well, I'm really commander this time out, folks. Hi there. This is Romana Caldy, newly promoted Major Romana Caldy. Mr Garner had finished briefing us for 'Mission Gammerick' and left us some three hours ago. Now we were flitting along at a comfy cozy 35 Warp. Our destination was some obscure spot in the infamous Corallian 'Bad Lands' which almost always meant trouble!
Unlike our usual missions for the Federation and the 3WA, this time we had been charged with killing, you heard right, killing a rogue time lord named Lord Gammerick. Why? To prserve the Universes and prevent Uncreation. He was rumoured to be in league with the Lady Ranee, a rogue time lady. The Master, yet another rogue time lord was supposedly trying to link up with them.
We were armed with specially altered plasma rifles. The top secret formula that ahd been fitted to our rifles enabled th snuffing out of a time lord or lady's current regenerated form as well as all previous and future regenerated selves! In effect, this would make it as if the Gallifreyan had never existed at all!
Although I had a full complement of personnel aboard the 'Daedalus', only four of us were the 'executioner squad'. Myself, of course and I would be giving the 'kill' order. My three partners in crime so to speak were Janelle Huntley, Ascerbian (Ace) Johnston and Kome Sawaguchi, the latter being the only rifle team member who was an original Angel.
I must have been dozing because when the first Tachyion particle beam struck our shields, I was slammed forwards violently and only my seat straps kept me from hitting the deck! Not so for poor Peri Brown, my yeoman who was being assisted to her feet by Lord Alucard who was along because his Master, Captain van Helsing was aboard.
"Up you get, me girl! What the bloody Hell happened, Romana?" he demanded from me. Like I knew, right?
"Janey? What's going on? Report." I snapped, unstrapping myself and standing behind my pilot's chair.
"Damned if I know, Boss. Jonny?" replied Janelle Huntley but our resident Angel co-pilot/exec merely shook his head.
"Oh, for heaven's sake! Have none of you ever heard of a Tachyion storm? They are quite common when one enters an asteroid field, you know!" said a cross white doggie. Mr Peabody was standing in the bridge's doorway and pointing to our forward vidscreens with his pipe.
"Mein Gott! Das ist der 'Bison Fields', don't ya know! Der only pilots das can get us through it are Gene Starwind and Han Solo! Get one uf dem und quick, dammit!" howled the 'Green Baron', Fritz von Dekker and he was as white as a ghost!
"Holy crapola! Reverse thrust and now, Huntley! Yaw starboard! Lucky you ain't gone too far in yet! Trakken girl! Lay in a new course! North by Northwest bearing 278.889 and follow that course for the next two solar hours. I dunno where the Hell we're headed but that will take us around the 'Fields' and take us near 'Sontarra'. With your permission, Commander?" said Dynamo, my ever resourceful chief engineer.
"Do it! You heard the man, Janey so make it so immediately. Many thanks, Dy. Nyssa? You heard? Good. Make sure that your course takes us around to the dark side of 'Sontarra'. That's where CommFleet picked up Gammerick's last signal. Until further notice, better put this over the PA system, Indy.
"I say again that until further notice, all personnel on this vessel will be armed at all times! I mean that if you use the facilities, take your cannon with ya! The 'Bad Lands' are dangerous and 'Sontarra' is run by a war hungry mob of misfits who have been at war so long nobody remembers why! This is a direct order and there are no exceptions to it. Caldy out." I announced and the bridge suddenly went silent. The deadliness of our mission was being realized by all hands.
There were no further incidents and shortly after 1600 hours (4 PM), Hatter served tea. Nyssa announced that we were within touchdown range of 'Sontarra's dark side. I ordered Janey and Jonny to 'cloak' us and then to put us down in the 'Thetisian Forest' at the foot of Mt Yannusett.
"Down and safe, Commander. Might I suggest an away party? They may be able to locate Gammerick's TARDIS." said Janey.
"Negative. Mr Smith, please launch a probe with a vidcam attached to it. Send it straight ahead of us, dead slow. Although our Type Forties and Mark Fives cannot 'cloak', we have no idea if Gammerick and the Ranee's can 'cloak' and I know for a fact that the Master's can. Remember too that with the chameleon circuitry they can make their machines look like whatever they choose. I will not risk anyone's lives unnecessarily, Colonel Huntley. Please remember that for this mission I am in command of this vessel. Anything from that probe yet, Jonny?" I said but he shook his head and looked quite glum.
"Not even a nibble, Boss Lady. If I might suggest, ma'am? (I nodded) We have Mark's Torino and Todd's Corvette. Both of them can 'cloak' so how about sending them out to scout around for our quarry?" replied Angel Jonathan Smith.
"Oboy! Can I go for a ride in one of the chariots, Auntie Romy?" squealed Starfire who had just popped up out of nowhere! She was supposed to be back at the Academy with the rest of the kids!
"Starfire? What the Dickens are you doing aboard, darn it? Somebody get her off my bridge! Confine her to quarters!" howled Janey, forgetting that she was not the commaning officer today. InuYasha had a secure hold on the pesky teen.
"You heard her, Dog Boy. Get her below to my quarters. If you try and leave there, young lady, you will be put into the brig. Is that clearly understood, Star? Answer me, dammit!" I snapped angrily. She cringed and started to cry.
"Yes'm. I'll be good, mum." she whined and the big hanyou hustled her off to the lifts. A drive-by might not be a bad idea at that.
"OK. Jonny and Mark in Mark's car. Take two others with you. Todd and Buzz in Todd's buggy. Take another person along with you. Everyone to be armed with laser rifles and ion cannons. Better take a few 'flash bolts' along for light. Keep in touch with the ship, guys. If you spot Gammerick's craft, sing out and wait for back-up. Do not try and take him on your own. He and the Ranee will not hesitate to kill you. Oh and stay 'cloaked' at all times. Kapish?" I ordered.
Of course, everybody wanted to go with Mark or Todd. Finally, Mark decided on Mr Holmes and Sergeant Joe Friday while Buzzy and Todd settled for the Mexican sidekick, Pancho Gonzales. Todd had wanted Cisco as well but the Corvette could only accommodate three persons.
"I would ride Diablo, my friends but a living animal cannot be made to disappear. Even if it could, I would never try it with poor Diablo! Vaya con Dios, Pancho and behave yourself. Hasta luego, mi amigo." said the Cisco Kid.
"What exactly are we looking for, Mrs Caldy?" asked the laconic LA cop, Joe Friday. I shrugged my shoulders.
"That's the 64 UniCreds question, Joey. A TARDIS with a working chameleon circuit board can be made to resemble anything the operator wants it to resemble on the outside. Just look for anything that looks like it does not belong on 'Sontarra' and watch out for roving bands of 'Rutans' which look like floor mops and 'Sontarran' warriors which look like King Arthur's knights in armour." I answered.
"Floor mops? Then why haven't the 'Sontarrans' defeated the blighters yet?" chuckled Mr Peabody.
"Perhaps because der 'floor mops' ist three metres tall und ist build like tanks?" suggested the 'Green Baron'. Mr Peabody's pipe dropped to the deck and shattered, scattering burning dottles of tobacco in all directions. So even our male Chauvinist pig doggie can be surprised!
"Jonathan, I'll never get used to driving an invisible car! Joe, Sherlock. Keep yer eyeballs peeled for oh I dunno, anything? Stop laughing, Jonathan! This is serious, man!" grumbled Mark Gordon.
"Hey Toddy, Buzzy! If your chariot wagony thing is covered up, how comes it that we can still see him?" asked a puzzled Pancho. Todd Stiles who was driving his 'cloaked' Corvette, launched into a long-winded explanation about refracted light beams which even he did not fully understand, thoroughly confusing poor Pancho!
Buzz Murdoch took a more direct approach-
"It's magic, Pancho." he said with a wink at Todd.
Both Terran land vehicles from ancient America had been 'transported' to the surface of 'Sontarra' some hours ago and they had not spotted as much as a strange looking stone, much less anything that could have been the elusive TARDIS. Not even Sherlock's eagle eyes nor Joe Friday's steady gaze had spotted anything weirder than an armadillasaurus marsupial animal which both vehicles had swerved to avoid hitting. Pancho kept asking what everything was they went past until Todd was disgusted and Buzz very amused.
"I still don't know why our superiors couldn't have asked Mrs Brief (Bulma) or Miss Rockabelle (Winry) to build us some kind of radar tracking devices attuned to this TARDIS of Lord Gammerick's. Poor planning's what I call it. No, Pancho. That's some kind of a flying reptile like a pterodactyl from Earth's Plynthonic Age several million years in our past." explained Todd.
"I don't know why you even bother, Todd. He doesn't understand half of what you say and neither do I, old buddy." chuckled the ever pleasant Buzz Murdoch.
"I say! What a noble castle up there on that mountain, chaps! First sign of civilization we've seen all day!" said Sherlock.
"Maybe someone there could give us some facts, boys. That's all I want. Just give me the facts and Sherlock and I can deduce the rest, guys." said Joe Friday the LA police detective.
"Sounds like a plan to me. Jonathan, tell Todd we're gonna check out that castle up yonder." said Mark.
"I don't want to pour water on your fire, Mark but isn't it just possible that castle up there IS our quarry? That if we go banging on their front door we might just get ourselves captured or worse? Discretion is the better part of valour is what my Boss has always told me, Mark. (There was a loud roll of thunder from above) That settles it! He confirms that is not a real castle! I think we've found it! I'll comm relay the ship." said Jonathan 'Angel' Smith.
As soon as I received Jonathan's comm relay call, I ordered them to wait there for us and under no circumstances were they to approach any nearer the 'castle' than 300 metres. I assumed that Jonny's confirmation of my orders were understood by Todd, Buzz and Pancho as well but I was sadly mistaken!
"Meester Toddy? Eesn't that an hacienda up there? Maybe they have food for a hungry Pancho? Maybe they have some for you and Buzzy too? (Todd braked his Corvette to a halt and before either of the 'drifters' could stop him, Pancho had hotfooted it up the mountainside) Hurries up! Something she sure smells good to Pancho's empty belly!" yelled the Mexican and the boys from Route 66 followed their friend up the trail in the Corvette which was now visible! Opening the door had effectively 'decloaked' the automobile!
When Todd and buzzy joined Pancho, the Mexican's pounding on the front doors had elicited a response. A gorgeous raven-haired beauty wearing a daring Toreador pantsuit and black Sombrero was framed in the illuminated doorway to what looked like a spacious hacienda behind her!
"Senorita! You are muy guapa to old Pancho's eyes! I am so hungry, bonita senorita!" complimented the wily Mexican. He had called the lady very beautiful and a pretty miss! Todd and Buzz belatedly found their own manners and removed their helmets. Pancho had already swept off his own Sombrero and bowed low to the mistress of the house.
"Sorry, Jonny but nobody in the Vette's replying to my hails. You don't think-" said Joe just as Janey set us down gently beside the Torino.
"We see you on our scans, Mark but not Todd's Corvette. Problem of some sort?" I trilled. I listened for a few moments before I realized what must surely have happened!
"What a beeg housey, Senorita! She is beeger insides than she is outsides and-" said Pancho. Todd and Buzz had already drawn their cannons and were covering the bewildered Mexican and the 'senorita' who had swept off her dark wig releasing her fiery red tresses which fell to her shoulders- they were being entertained by none other than the Ranee!
"Put those toys away, boys. Only our own weapons will work inside my TARDIS! Lord Gammy! Lord Master! We have company for dinner tonight. A small server 'droid trundled into the dining room and the tall time lady handed him her blaster.
"Keep them covered. If they try anything, shoot to kill. I have got to get out of this ghastly outfit! Ah! My Lord Gammerick. May I present Mr Todd Stiles and Mr Buzz Murdoch of 20th Century Terran America and Senor Pancho Gonzales of 19th Century Terra's Western states. Gentlemen, this is Lord Gammerick. Like myself, he is a Gallifreyan time lord. I will see you at dinner, my dear friends. Adios and vaya con Dios." laughed the wily time lady, vanishing up the grand staircase.
"We may as well get comfortable, gentlemen. You won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Ah! Master! I believe you know everyone here? Sherry or port, gentlemen?" asked the rogue time lord.
"Sherry for me. Greetings, my old friends! Mr Stiles. Mr Murdoch. Senor Gonzales. May I recommend the sherry? A devilishly mellow Amontillado that tickles the taste buds. No? Perhaps some beer? Surely you won't say no to hot java? Well, to each his own I suppose. Sit down, please. Must I make that an order? Ah! The Lady Ranee graces us with her illustrious presence." said the Master and the lady in question descended the stairs, smiling graciously at us. Her green scaled frock left nothing to the imagination and Buzz swore that the only thing under that wrap was the lady herself! Down boy!
"Buenos Noches, Senors. Stuff it, you old gas bag and stop boring us all to death, dammit!" she replied, this last bit of her speech clearly aimed at the Master.
"Stiles, Theodore William. Civilian. 444-98-3337. Name, rank and serial number. That's all I'm required to tell you. Says so in the Geneva Convention." said Todd.
"Ya already seem to know our names so I'll skip the niceties. Let us outta here or I'll whomp the tar outta ya. That means you too, lovely lady." smirked Buzz.
"I am Pancho Franciso Juan Valdez Esteban de Montoya Gonzales. I am Seesco's partner and I gots no numbers for you." said a thoroughly flustered Mexican cowpoke.
"So that's the way you fools want to play it eh? Very well! Gort!" snapped Lord Gammerick and a hulking monstrous thing rumbled into the room and he was almost the height of the dining hall which was three full stories!
"You bellowed, sir?" it said in a guttural roar.
"Conduct our guests to their quarters in the wine cellars, Gort. I will have your supper sent down to you, gentlemen. Perhaps you will be in a more mellow frame of mind in the morning. Oh, one more thing. Your car keys, Mr Stiles, if you please, sir. I do not wish it to be stolen by some ruffian. Thank you so much. Take them below, Gort. Pleasant dreams, my friends." laughed our host. Hiya. It's me, Buzz. I'm your narrator for awhile, OK?
Our 'quarters' were none too pleasant and we shared them with the wines. That was fine with us. However, we also shared them with well I guess you'd call 'em rats although they were the size of puppy dogs and as fierce as cats! Tossing them tidbits of food seemed to appease 'em and we had full and plenty.
I kicked back with Pancho and enjoyed the bountiful fare while Todd searched for secret passages, hidden doors, loose floor stones, false fronts on wine barrels and casks and everything else they do in those old horror movies. He berated me for not helping him but I pointed out that even if we did manage to escape, we were aboard a TARDIS which could change rooms as easily as we changed our socks and we'd no idea where in the worlds we were! That did it. Todd was soon as soused as Pancho and I were!
OK, I'm back, gang. Romana again. Janey landed us the other side of the mountain where the 'castle' was situated. Ari 'transported' Mark, Jonny, Sherlock and Joe back aboard along with Mark's huge 'boat' Torino chariot.
"Where the Dickens are Pancho, Todd and Buzzy?" I asked my exec but he shrugged his shoulders.
"Got me, Boss. I thought the Vette was right beside us on that mountain trail. We looked around some before you showed up but there was no sign of it. Just two deep tracks in the soft dirt which suddenly ended a hundred metres from the 'castle'. We were about to get a closer look at the place when you showed up and whisked us back aboard." explained the Angel.
"I deduced that all three gentlemen are visiting the 'castle'. I found three sets of tracks and two of them seemed to be following the first set. As the first set were made by hob-nailed boots and the others by flat soled deck boots, our mexican friend must have run to the front door followed by Mr Stiles and Mr Murdoch, my dear Major. I fear that they may have been taken by force. Drat! I must have dropped my matches in that puddle of water. Do you have your lighter, Watson?" said the long-winded Mr Holmes.
"Here. Right you are, Holmes. That settles it. The 'castle' we saw must be a TARDIS! Well, a Mark XXV long barrell cannon will soon blast open that irom studded oak door! Miss Roberts, go and get one from the armoury and be quick about it, girl!" replied Dr John H Watson excitedly. The fireworks were not long in coming!
"Who the Hell do ya think ya are, Tubby? Get it yerself and I ain't yer girl neither, dammit!" snapped Revy angrily.
"Belay that last order. Sorry Doctor John but it won't work. The TARDISes are indestructible. What may appear to be an ordinary door to an ordinary castle is nothing of the sort! Not even the 'God Gun' itself could put so much as a dent in the paintwork." I explained.
"Agreed, my dear child. However, we cannot simply leave those three bubble-brained Terrans in Gamma's clutches, can we? May I suggest a reconaissance patrol mission led by Suba Roberts? Lts Olson and Sawaguchi will accompany her backed up by the two Saiyaan goofballs (Goku and Vegeta) with the big hanyou boy (InuYasha) and the stupid wolf thing (Kouga) in reserve commanded by the Baron (Fritz von Dekker). Of course, I will strategize from the 'Grant', my dear child." said the haughty and obnoxious male Chauvinist pig doggie, Mr Peabody, correction, Colonel Peabody! I know when I'm licked so I merely sighed and told him to make it so.
"Just ascertain that what Jonny said is true, Revy. Don't take any unnecessary risks and don't get too close. I think I know how to handle this matter. Now listen to me. That means all of you, Colonel Peabody. None of you have ever seen what Lord Gammerick is capable of and he's ten times more deadly if the Ranee's with him. Make that a hundred times if the Master's along for the ride. Now, here's the plan.
"First, find those tire tracks of Todd's motor carriage. Then I want the rest of you to lay low. You'll all be wearing 'cloaking armour' but the Ranee may have a way of seeing through the invisibility light beams. One of you, still 'cloaked' will work his or her way to that front door while another of you will find the back door to the 'castle'. At a given signal, both of them will rap on the doors and high-tail it back to cover.
"They'll have their guard up now for certain sure but I still think that they cannot afford to not appear normal so they will probably send someone to the door. If they do, try and jam the 'door' before it closes completely. Then you will comm relay me that this has been accomplished and you will return to the shuttle and fly back here as quickly as you can. Kapish?" I ordered and Revy growled an affirmative.
"Then what happens, Fraulein Kommandant? What ist your plan of action?" asked Fritz, the 'Green Baron' and I grinned.
"That's why I need the TARDIS 'door' ajar, Fritzy. I intend to materialize my TARDIS around theirs. That way they will be aboard the 'Daedalus' and at our mercy because their weapons will not function owing to our 'energy dampener shields'. Yes, you are quite correct, Janey. If at all possible, I want to take our three pigeons without bloodshed." I replied coolly.
"Madam! Must I remind you that your orders are to kill these fools, not capture them!" howled Mr Peabody, smashing his cane down on the arm of my command chair! That was absolutely the last straw as far as I was concerned! Who did this jackanapes think was in charge here?
"Peabody! I don't need you to remind me what my orders are, sir! Whether or not I choose to disobey them is no concern of yours! Need I remind you that I am a Gallifreyan as well? As a matter of fact, Lord Gammerick, the Lady Ranee and even the Lord Master were once honoured and honourable members of the High Council. Every one of them taught me many things in my youth and yes, I even counted all of them as friends at one time. I believe that there is still a spark of decency in every one of them and I will, therefore, make every effort to take them all alive. Is that clearly understood? Good! Then carry on, Colonel, and for now you still hold that rank, sir but things can change in a heartbeat! Now, get cracking, the hot of ya! That's an order, dammit!" I yelled and for once, Mr Peabody was speechless!
I motioned for my new yeoman Peri to follow me and I quickly took the lift down to see Lt Ari, my transport officer.
"Hiya Major and congratulations on the promotion, ma'am. Need something from me? Hi Peri. Secretary, huh?" laughed the Elf Huntress. I smiled and Peri began tapping out something on my PDO unit.
"Smoke, Ari? Try one of mine. Buzzy gave them to me. He got them in Canada on ancient Terra. Jalousies by Kapperallen. They're good but a mite strong. Want one, Peri? No? Just take notes, kiddo. Ari? I am about to attempt something that would make my Uncle Doctors lose their luncheons. I am going to materialize my modified Type 40 machine around Lord Gammerick's TARDIS. (Ari had a coughing fit!) This has been done before but never by a novice like me. The problem is that I cannot control where his machine will show up on the ship.
"I want you to locate him as soon as his toy is aboard and I want a Level 9 'force beam barrier field' immediately erected around it. Do not try and transport him or any of his companions anywhere should they leave the machine. Got it? (She nodded and sat down) Great! My intention is to take him back to Alderaan to stand trial. It will be up to them to end his lives, not me. I just do not believe that I could kill him, Ari. I was ever so close to him and I still think of him as a friend and mentor." I explained and I was close to tears.
"Consider it done, Boss. I'll confine his gadget thing and then he's all yours. May I ask you a question, ma'am?" said Ari.
"Of course. What is it, Ari?" I replied.
"Heard anything about my 'railroad tracks'? I really want that promotion, ma'am. Sorry if I've spoken out of turn. I realize that I should go through the chain of command but-" she asked and I smiled at the poor kid. I put a hand on her shoulder.
"Consider it done. I happen to know that you'll have those bars by Christmas. As of now, you are an acting captain. Sorry but I simply must dash. Keep a sharp eye open for that TARDIS. Let's go, Peri. I want to brief Mr P once more before Revy's team splits." I said and we bid adieu to Ari and returned to the docking bays where we wished good luck to Mr P and Revy and her team. We watched the 'Grant' lift off and 'cloak' itself and wing its way towards the West.
Good evening, my friends. Mr Peabody here. I'm the biographer for the sub-mission we are now on. Mr Brief (Vegeta) the big Saiyaan prince is an excellent pilot and soon we will reach our destination. Suba Roberts and her team are checking their weapons belowdecks while I am trying to find a way for us to sneak up on the 'castle'. Aha!
A mountain pass draw is half a kilometre away and will provide us with excellent cover. Our two fastest runners are the demons, InuYasha and Kouga so I've detailed them to knock on the doors and then try and jam the TARDIS's 'doors'. If all goes well, our commander will somehow materialize the 'castle' aboard the 'Daedalus'. I just hope that Mr Garner won't blame me when he finds out that Mrs Caldy has disobeyed his orders. Yes? What's that, Mr Vegeta? We are landing? Excellent!
"Suck in that gut, Dog Boy! I'm trying to get this invisibility shield buckled around your middle! How's the wolf coming along, Roddy?" growled Revy Roberts.
"Fine, Rebecca. At least my guy doesn't need to go on a diet! There! All set, Kouga. Wait on the 'transporter pads'. Hurry up, slowpokes! Ari's going to try and transport Dog Boy to the rear of the 'castle' and Wolfie to the front door." yelled Rodan, my best friend time lady. She and Revy were kitting out the two demons for their mission which was to jam one or both of the TARDIS's doors without Lord Gammerick finding out about the subterfuge.
All went well enough until Mr Peabody called Revy a 'boorish streetwalker'! She took umbrage at the insult and it took Neko and Kome to stop the hired killer from shooting the white doggie!
Both InuYasha and Kouga were soon able to announce that the front and back doors had both opened when they had knocked on them but nobody was there! Before the doors could completely close again, they were able to jam pieces of wood into the recess behind each TARDIS 'door'. They assured me that their handiwork could not be noticed.
I wasn't so sure. All anyone aboard had to do was to check the console and find that winking blue light that meant 'Do not materialize. Portal is ajar.' and the proverbial 'jig' would be up! I wasted no time on further speculations.
"Commander Caldy calling Lt Ari. Proceed as ordered. Advise me when TARDIS is aboard 'Daedalus'. Do you confirm? Over." I trilled into my comm badge.
"Roger willco, ma'am. I'll let ya know what happens. Ari out." replied the transport officer belowdecks.
A few minutes passed and I was about to hail the Elf Huntres again.
"Ari calling bridge. You there, Major Caldy? Over." crackled Ari's voice over the squawkboxes. I answered her in the affirmative.
"TARDIS is aboard and protected by Level Nine barriers. It materialized in the brig so I have also activated the brig's barriers and advised our guards to stay well away from that brig cell. Over." said Ari.
"Well done, Lt. You heard that, Mr Peabody, Suba Roberts? Good. Reclaim our two demons and return the 'Grant' to the 'Dae'. A hearty well done to all hands. Caldy calling Nyssa. Lay in a new course. Our new destination is 'Alderaan'. The Senate can decide the fates of Gammerick, Ranee and whoever else he's got aboard that tub. Dammit all! Ari!" I almost screamed into my comm badge, deafening everyone.
"Sorry but can you locate Pancho, Todd and Buzz aboard that TARDIS? They'll be all together in a secure place like a vault or a cellar since it must appear as part of the 'castle' to anyone from the outside. Over." I said in a softer tone.
"Got 'em or I think I got 'em, ma'am. They're in some sort of wine storage area below the 'castle'. Now what? Over." said Ari.
"Are they close enough to each other that you can transport them off the TARDIS without any difficulties? Over." I replied.
"That's a big ten-four, good buddy. I'll have to transport some of the junk around them as well. That OK with you? Over." responded Ari.
"That's a roger willco, Ari. Put them down in the rec room. Let me know when they're safe. Caldy out." I said. I did not have a very long wait.
"Ari to Caldy. Todd, Buzzy and Pancho are having drinks at the bar. They even brought a few casks and barrels of wine along with them, ma'am. Just a sec while I open an airlock for the dumb doggie. There! Ma'am? The 'Grant' is docked belowdecks. I'm picking up a small group of raider cruisers to the South. May I suggest that we get our keesters outta here and fast? Over." said Ari and I gave the necessary orders to strap in and await an immediate liftoff.
"ETA to 'Alderaan's Senate Forum, Nyssa?" I called next door to the nav room.
"Four solar days, Cap. Darned old 'Adonis Arch'! If it was fixed, we could have been there before dinner! Hey! Send Kome or Neko in here to spell Seras Vickie! She's beat! Poor kid's been on duty for 72 solar hours straight! I'll need a breather too! Think I can hold out until midnight. Oh yeah- Janey, this time stay the Hell outta 'Bison Fields' please! Somebody bring us some more java and Vickie needs more fresh blood! I could use a burger and a shake. Later." called the Trakken girl navvy.
Four more days! Four days with at least one and possibly more baddies aboard! Thank goodness that Pancho, Buzzy and Todd were all safe and sound. I decided it was high time that I found out whom we had aboard in that 'castle' TARDIS. I had a thought and I trilled Ari to increase the barrier around our guests to a level twelve. She grumbled but complied. I felt a hand on my arm and I glanced around and into the serious eyes of the Hatter.
"A level nine won't hold Gammerick, the Ranee or the Master, Poppet. I brought you some tea." he said quietly and I nodded.
"I know that, Uncle. That's why I just had it increased to twelve. Whoa! That's enough rea for one cup, sir! Two sugars and a wedge of lemon, please. Ooh! Scones are my favourite! Oh well, maybe just one. I don't want to spoil my dinner. Jonny? Please get a security team together. Have them meet me at the brig. Better arm them with those nodified plasma rifles. I am going to have a pow-wow with our guests. Coming, Uncle Hatter?" I said and he set down teapot and tea service, platters of goodies and several empty cups, saucers and dessert plates. Then he tilted his hat and announced that he was ready.
He followed me to the lifts and tapped his umbrella tip against the decks all the way down to our brigs which were on the very lowest deck of the ship. It seemed weird to be staring at a Medieval castle gate and drawbridge complete with moat behind the colourfully lighted barrier beams which surrounded the building.
"How gauche! Old Gammy never did possess a sense of style. Look at that silly looking drawbridge! I'd be willing to wager that there is not a single crockodile or serpent in that scummy moat! What? Oh, I do beg your pardons. It's just that Gammy always seems to get under my skin, the old fuddy duddy! Hullo there, Goku, Vegeta, Kouga, Dog Boy. Better keep those rifles trained on that portcullis behind the drawbridge, boyos." said the Hatter, appointing himself as my temporary exec.
I was about to hail our guests through the bullhorn that Ari had handed to me when the drawbridge was slowly lowered until it finally crashed onto the opposite side of the moat. Uncle Hatter was wrong! Three greyish green serpents and two brown crockodiles leaped a full metre clear of the water in the moat, causing Ari to scurry back to her transporter room. I didn'tblame her one little bit. If I wasn't in command, I'd have gladly joined her!
The portcullis gate was raised and three figures emerged from the darkness of the keep's hallway, two men and a slender woman. The short fellow with the trim Van Dyke beard was, of course, the Master while the svelte brunette woman must be the Ranee. That meant that the tall, beefy guy must be Lord Gammerick! He didn't look a thing like he had when he had given me a hundred lines whenever Rodan and I were caught talking in his classroom.
"Well, Miss Mandlikova! As I live and breathe, I never thought you would even graduate let alone be on your second regeneration, my child. I say! Hail fellow, well met, old boy! You seem to have regenned as well, my dear Doctor of Prydonia. A pity you had to venture so close to Ranee's TARDIS though. Now I am afraid I must destroy you and your friends, my dear." said his lordship. Apparently this chap did not realize where he was!
"Hullo there, my dear Romana. Ugh! What a vulgar colour! You really must speak to the 3WA about properly co-ordinating your uniform colours. Mauve and purple are so drab! What have you done with the other brat, the crybaby?" demanded the haughty and very nasty Ranee.
"Now, now! No more of those insults the pair of you! Please allow me to apologize for my two colleagues, my dear Lady Caldy. Their remarks were quite uncalled for especially when given the situation we have here. Correct me if I am in error, Mrs Caldy but are we not anoard the 'Daedalus' which is ably commanded by Captain Janelle Huntley?" asked a very polite Master and he stroked his beard.
"Very good, Master. However, Janey's now a full bird colonel while I am a major, my dear sir. For this mission, I am in command of both our mission and this starship." I replied coolly.
"And just what is your mission, Major?" snapped the Ranee.
"None o' yer beeswax, sister! Shaddup unless ya wanna feel this plasma bolt up yer keester!" growled InuYasha. She glanced over at Dog Boy and the others, took one look at their rifles and went white to the roots of her black hair.
"Master! Gammy! Did either of you idiots notice what they have on those damned rifles? They have been modified and unless I miss my guess, they can end all of a Gallifreyan's regenerated lives! They can make it like we were never even born!" the Ranee shouted and there was fear in her voice.
"I want you to know that I am deliberately disobeying my orders to try and save your hides. The Ranee is quite correct in her assumptions and I was ordered to hunt you down, milord and use them on you and whoever else is in on whatever nefarious mischief you are up to with these two pests. Instead, I am taking you back to stand trial for your crimes." I said and both Gammerick and the Ranee began to laugh. The Master saw this as no laughing matter and he frowned.
"The High Council will never order us totally destroyed! It's against their principles of never taking life, any life!" said Lord Gammerick.
"They are far too squeamish to order our executions, foolish child!" agreed the Ranee.
"They are, to be sure but somehow I don't think we are going home to Gallifrey, are we, Major Caldy?" asked the Master and his two companions were suddenly very afraid.
"Quite correct, sir. I am taking you to stand trial before the Federation Senate on Alderaan. No doubt you remember the Senate's newly elected Supreme Commander, Mrs Leia Skywalker Organa Solo. You should remember her since it was you who tried to kill her back on 'Gysymeo', Master." I replied.
"In case you get the bright idea of trying to escape, your TARDIS is surrounded by a level twelve energy beam barrier. Trying to walk through it will cost you one regeneration per try for each of you that make the attempt. There is another energy dampener that surrounds this starship. That means you cannot dematerialize or even move a few centimetres. Relax, sit back and enjoy the voyage. In a few days, I will be rid of you and you will all be the Senate's problem , not mine." I said.
I gave orders for a replicating unit to be delivered for our guests and Vegeta went to fetch one. He was almost at the end of the hallway when his lordship cleared his throat and spoke.
"Never mind that, Saiyaan Prince. This TARDIS is well equipped and the Ranee still has several replicators she 'borrowed' from the Boss Lady's ship. Might I ask our arrival time, my dear Romana?" he asked.
"An exact time I cannot give to you, sir. However, four solar days is a fair estimate, milord. Should you have need of anything, just ask one of the guards. Welcome to the 'Daedalus', my friends." I answered.
"Under no circumstances are you to open those barriers. If they ask for something, tell them you will have to check first. Have Ari call me or someone on the bridge and we'll handle the request. Got that, boyos? Kapish?" I ordered and both Saiyaans and demons replied that they understood. I thanked them, told the demons not to fall asleep and returned to the bridge with Peri. My standing orders to my new yeoman was that she was to follow me everywhere like a faithful little doggie. The 'beach bunny' girl thought that reference to her as a doggie was cute.
"Excuse me, mum but can we take a breather for awhile? My fingers are numb from punching these darn old keys. Ain't it just about dinnertime?" begged Peri and I relented. Didn't want the kid to think I was the Simon Legree type after all, right?
"Of course we can, Peri. I apologize for keeping you on the go for so long but this mission is- well- it's sort of special to me. I am jeopardizing my career at the 3WA by disobeying a direct order from Mr Garner and all. I know Lord Gammerick is mean but I cannot really see him as a true evildoer like Ranee and Master and Zorin Oakenshield and Lord Khan. This man was my mentor and my friend as well as being my 'sensei' (teacher) like Nr Kakashi is to Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Sai. I think he, at least, deserves a second chance. It seems like such a waste to deny him his remaining lives, orders from the big cheeses notwithstanding. Oh Hell, let's get some grub!" I replied with a grin. I am spending too much time around those Saiyaans and demons!
Peri brightened right up and stowed away her PDO Unit in her rucksack.
"Uh, mum? I, um, have to use the, um, you know, the facilities?" said Peri and I pointed a gloved forefinger towards the nearest Ladies' Room and she took off like a shot from my stasis gun! Guess she really had to go. I strolled down to the lift banks which were right next to the 'facilities' as Peri called them. She rejoined me about ten minutes later and she had changed into shorts, halter and flip flops. Apparently she'd forgotten that where we were headed was having a blizzard. Nyssa had advised me that there was humongous solar storm of Magnitude Six on the Vickers Scale headed right for us. My comm badge trilled and I spoke into it.
"Caldy speaking. What? Yes, of course I remember that big storm, Nyssa. What about it? Huh? You're sure? OK, tell Jonny and Janey to do the best they can with it. I'll try and find Han or Gene to take over after chow. Keep me posted, kiddo. Caldy out." I said and then Peri and I took the lift down to the dining room.
Gene and han were just finishing dinner when Peri and I entered. I hustled them up to the bridge to take over the piloting and co-piloting duties from Janey and Angel Jonny. Soon we heard the tired drawl of Han Solo over the squawkboxes.
"Yer attention please. Han here. Gene and I are gonna try and ride out this here solar storm but things are gonna get rocky for a bit. We're gonna hide in as nold asteroid field which should cut down on the wind shears. Hanf onto yer keesters. Solo out."
As soon as our new co-pilot had finished his speech, Mr Peabody dropped his tray onto the deck, spilling his dinner and expensive cognac all over me, Rio, Fllaysie and Peri!
"Tell me that I did not hear that fool say what I think he said! Are he and Starwind both idiots?" shouted the small white dog.
"Huh? He said we're hiding out in an asteroid field to avoid the damned winds. Look what you've done to my new dinner gown! It's ruined! It'll take me hours to reprogram my repper to make a new one, dammit!" yelled a furious Margo Lane.
I had to admit that duck l'orange, mashed potatoes with country gravy, creamed peas, blackberry brickle, java, milk and cognac stains did make her look a fright! Poor Margo! In all the commotion, she had completely forgotten that our reppers auto memorize all orders fed into them so a replacement frock was only a matter of a minute or two at most!
"My apologies, my dear child. However, it does not alter the fact that those two buffoons upstairs have placed us in serious peril! (We looked at him like he was insane) Oh, for Kami's sake! In this part of the quadrant, the only asteroid field is-" he tried to explain before Jon Harlock leaped up, almost overturning our table!
"Ye gods! The perishin' poochie's right! 'Bison's the only field in these here parts! That means goin' through 'Smugglers' Ravine' again! (The space pirate captain grabbed my arm) Mum! Yer place now is on the bridge! Bring the wee gossoon (Peri?) with ye, Love! Attention security teams! Battle stations! (Nobody moved) Now ye fools, not tomorry! C'mon, dash it all!" howled the master of the 'Botany Bay II' angrily and half of the room emptied out.
"Grab your tray and follow me, Peri." I said and picked up my own tray and tried to walk rapidly without spilling anything. I succeeded but just barely. Peri was used to carrying trays from her waitressing days in college. We dashed onto the bridge where Angel Jonny took our trays and set them on the tables while I assumed my commander's chair with Peri in a spare gunner's chair. Nobody had to tell us to strap in. The 'Daedalus' was bucking like one of Ranger Walker's wild broncos!
"Sorry, Romy. I got no choice now. It's the 'Ravine' again, I'm afraid. Keep yer eyes peeled, Han, old buddy." said Gene Starwind.
"If we have to use it, we have to use it, Captain. Steady as she goes, boyos." I ordered and I quickly wolfed down my dinner and java. Peri did likewise and then a server 'droid materialized from its cubby hole and collected our trays and dishes. Peri and I held onto our mugs and another 'droid chugged over to refill them for us. Then they both vanished as quickly and as silently as they had first appeared.
"Todd, old bean, did you ever have that feeling that you were doing something that you had already done before?" asked Buzz Murdoch, blasting another asteroid with a disruptor bolt.
"Buzz, my old son, that is called 'Deja Vu'. Besides, we have done this crap before- the last time we used 'Smugglers' Ravine' to get our tails through 'Bison Fields' in one piece but you already knew that. Didn't you, me old boyo?" answered a very serious Todd Stiles who was trying to aim a photon torpedo at an asteroid chunk the size of Terra's New Jersey.
"Four hundred and ninety! How many you done so far, pal? (Buzz glanced over at the 'hits counter' in front of his partner) Two Seventy point two five? You got a way's to go to catch up to me, boyo! Tally ho!" said Buzz.
"You two idiots in there know that this isn't really a game, don't ya? If so much as a sliver of that crapola hits us, it could be curtains for this ship! Toddy! Get that one! Quick! Good! Keep yer eyes open, boyos. How much longer, General?" yelled our current 'navvy', Nami Richardson.
"I thought I told ya to stop callin' me that, Nami. Another hour or two and we'll be home free, Honey." drawled Han Solo who had taken over the controls from Janey Huntley for the run through the Ravine. Janelle would resume piloting in a few more hours for the final leg of our voyage to Alderaan.
There being nothing I could do on the bridge, I nudged Peri and we went up to the 'star room' and the 'light show'. I thought that it would be a nice quiet place to relax and unwind while I dictated my reports to Peri. Unfortunately, everyone not on duty had the same idea! The place was packed with stargazers. When 'Whitey' hopped up onto my lap and tried to grab my comm badge, Peri and I went back down to our quarters. She fed 'Whitey', 'Luna' and 'Artemis' while I 'repped' up warm cocoa for her and hot java for me. As an afterthought, I 'repped' up some sweet rolls and Danish pastries.
The dictating and transcribing went very quickly and before the chromo chimed 2100 (9 PM) we had finished. I went to the sofa with a new holovid novel. Peri decided to visit Todd and Buzz and Nami for a chat session. We had cleared 'Bison' hours ago. Han and Gene were telling war stories at the bar and both Janey and Jonny had reclaimed their piloting and co-piloting duties on the bridge.
That was when the explosion rocked the ship!
END of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 'Judgment at Alderaan' or 'His Last Bow?' coming soon. Story Teller Guy apologizes for taking so long to finish this chapter and he swears the next one won't take nearly as long. Remember to Read/Review/Suggest, folks and be advised that Story Teller Guy's looking for new ideas for his next fanficcy. Ooh! Gotta go! Last chance to see 'Bison's light show from behind before we leave this sector! Stop pushin', dammit! Sorry! I didn't realize it was you, mum! Hey everybody, our new Brigadier's back aboard! Have a great summer, guys and ladies! Rio loves ya! Y'all come back and see us again real real soon!- Your Friendship Team!
