The two fleets lined up. Though they had incurred troubles in their campaigns and dominations, the Virmok fleet was confident of victory. The Jempewol fleet was lifting from the planet, while the Irdmush and Malphan forces were moving into position.
Towards the middle of the fleet sat Sleru he Denklu, the Blade to Stars in the Uvpoys tongue, the only language allowed to be spoken in Virmok's Capitol. It was a huge ship, with the best weaponry in the fleet. The Symbol of the Virmokian Empire, three blades pointing outwards at three stars, was displayed on the side.
In the main command room sat General Rudelmok Nidotre, wearing his finest armour. On his helmet were the two spikes of a battalion commander, and the single spike of a captain, to signify he was commander of the battalions. The War Queen sat there as well. Apparently her name came from the planet Earth, translating into Cruk Obtumr, though she preferred War Queen. She wore her claws, and her two spikes. Finally there was the flagship's Captain, Arma Faber, Governor of Slonerto, the most trusted adviser of the General, even if his helmet only had one spike. There were some who called him the true ruler.
"When should we attack?" asked Rudelmok, looking around the room.
"Nidotre..." began a commander, Betsut, but the General interrupted.
"General Nidotre!" snarled the General. "Call me by my rank!"
"My apologies General. There have been significant losses on other worlds... including on Slonerto, the world held by Governor Faber."
"I am aware of which world I hold" said Faber. "And it was a mere setback."
"Captain Faber" said another Commander, with a smug look, "why should we listen to you? Are you even of our great race, with your complexion..."
"Can we really hope to hold this world?" asked Betsut. "Some estimate that though we take Jempewol, we will not have sufficient forces to attack Malpha, and that a treaty between us may be better."
"Move now, before they have time to get into position!" said the War Queen decisively. Her forces were some of the most brutal and well-equipped in the Virmokian Empire, and were close to the Towurl-2 forces, along with other troops from planets Nidotre had conquered. As Faber had told Nidotre, his troops should be more frightened of their commanders then their enemy.
"Attack!" ordered General Nidotre. He was personally leading the capture of Jempewol, the Governor of Slonerto had told him this would be a strategic step to defeating the Malphan Empire, especially as he could destroy many of their best troops in the battle.
A shot was fired from the Virmokians, crashing into the Jempewol fleet as they surged forward. On the left wing sat the Irdmush, who moved forward with the rest, to meet the Towurl-2 forces. The two armies crashed together and began a desperate fight, the Jempewol forces eager for battle and moving amongst their enemies, firing with delight, each Captain wanting to win glory.
Dominus observed the fight. He had been wary of beginning it without forces from Lirot, but he had heard they were occupied and the forces of Malpha and Jempewol would have to give battle soon, before Virmok brought additional troops. There had been a spate of rebellions around their Empire from what his Information-gatherers had told him, but he feared they would soon be suppressed, freeing more of Virmok's troops. That was the problem with an Empire. Most of your troops were spread out and unable to aid you with a big threat. There were times Dominus wondered if the Empire had expanded too quickly, or if he should have worked on consolidating their power rather then interfering in the affairs of other Galaxies, such as when he had tried to harvest minerals from the mines of Ruwilen and then his interference with border regions of the Milky Way, which ended after the murder on Rand 2 led to its expose. Both of these schemes the Doctor had foiled. Yet now, he and the Doctor were allies. He thought back to just before the battle, remembering his correspondence with the Irdmush Officers after they informed him of the formation of the troops.
"Dominus, we should talk about the battle plan" had come the message from Irdmush.
"If we can just break through the Towurl ships we should be able to encircle the main flank of the Virmoks" Dominus had relayed, after some quick consultation with the other leading officers.
"Should we concentrate or scatter our fire once we do so?" asked Gilzesh.
"Use scattered fire to break up their troops" said Funos. "Then concentrate your fire once you get into the main part of their fleet. Hit their command ships but be sure not to move forward too quickly and be cut off, or your ships will be the ones encircled."
Currently this was what was occurring, the Irdmush battalion breaking through the Towurl forces. Then, Dominus received a message from elsewhere.
"The left flank is collapsing!" cried a Jempewol Commander. "We're breaking through!"
The ships under his command began to crash through the ships of the Virmokian.
"Don't move too quickly!" ordered Gilzesh.
"It is an orderly retreat, try and pick them off at a distance, then move into the holes" affirmed Dominus.
"What do you know? We're the ones in the battle!" shouted Egiqunius.
"Do not get caught up in a chaotic struggle..." Dominus continued.
"They've fought in more battles then you" replied Egiqunius smugly. "Why should you command us? This is our territory! We don't need help from your grand power, with all these peoples. We can sort out our own affairs fine!"
"Nationalists" groaned Dominus. Funos gave a snort, attempting to conceal laughter at the Jempewol reaction despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Don't bring up what happened before the battle" said Egiqunius. "A simple error. We know what we're doing this time!"
This time it was Dominus who snorted, though more laughter escaped.
On the command vessel Nidotre watched and laughed.
"Yes, violence is the only language for rule" replied the General. He sneered at Betsut. "And you wanted me to surrender?"
"There is no shame in negotiation" replied Betsut.
"It shows we cannot win!" snarled Nidotre. "And we will win! We cannot turn back now!"
Throughout the battle weaved TARDIS', the Doctors were observing the battle. "The Space-Spears aren't what I'd call the best fighters" said 8.
"Agreed. Reckless as the Knights at Agincourt" said 11.
"Have you been there?" asked Norine.
"Yes" replied the Doctor. "I..."
"Look out!" shouted Norine, seeing something on the scanner.
The Doctor swerved the TARDIS to one side as a burst of energy shot past, grazing the side and sending the TARDIS spinning across tens of kilometers before the Doctor righted it.
"Why do we need to be in the battle?" asked Norine.
"To make sure things are going on track" said the Doctor.
10 was flying his TARDIS through the battle, trying to pick up survivors from the Space-Spears. A makeshift medical area had been constructed in the TARDIS and by now a mass of soldiers were there. Most were alive, over 20, but there were still horrific injuries, and corpses.
A man with a shattered arm and face so burnt bone could be seen and part of his helmet had melted into there, appeared in the TARDIS. "Where... is this... death..."
"No. I'm someone who can help" said Martha.
"My arm... its itching. Can't... feel it..." The man groaned and coughed, flecks of blood spattering the TARDIS.
Martha wrapped a bandage round it. The Doctor had said the chemicals would help in healing, but it was still a difficult task.
"If only I could save more of them!" he said sadly, watching as thousands were slaughtered.
"We've saved a lot of them" said Martha, who was treating the man. "You're being a doctor."
10 smiled sadly. "Yes Martha. There is that."
"So many dead" said 10 sadly, as he looked at three more he had picked up from the battle, one dead, the other two badly injured and unconscious. "And most of them I can't save."
As a Troop-Carrier held its ground towards the back of the fleet, a small object crashed through the main engine. The ship shook as the engine detonated, killing over a hundred Virmokians in a few seconds, even as the safety systems moved to contain the energy-escape.
"Which one of you was that?" asked 8. "Seems a little out of character for me to use the TARDIS as a ram."
"Yes, I seem to remember you use it to contain explosions" replied 11.
"You? The skinhead who likes blowing things up?" asked 8. "The next one along seems likeliest to do this."
"He isn't here. Off doing something else" said 10. "And even for him..."
"So not the next me?"
"Well..." began 10. "No. He's not here. He can't be here!"
Another Virmok ship, about a quarter of the size of the troop-carrier was struck suddenly by the same flying object. The drive system was cleft straight through and the ship veered out of control, the survivors evacuating.
The Governor gave a command. "The Vortex flooders. I want to fill the local area with Vortex-freezers."
While in control of the 8th Doctor's TARDIS he had spent over a month tearing through the vortex in this area, hoping to prevent TARDIS' moving through. He knew that using it was destabilizing to the local system and only intended to use it if necessary. But with the Doctors moving about like this, he needed to stop them.
The TARDIS' suddenly flashed unpleasant lights. There was a groaning sound, the ships slowing down, like a ship moving through a mass of weed.
"What?" cried 10. He pulled a lever and tried to reverse, but the TARDIS jolted, a horrendous grinding sound escaping the engines. "What?"
"Same problem here!" said 11. "Norine, pass me a laser wrench."
"Something the matter Doctor?" asked Lucie, as a sound tolled through the TARDIS.
"The cloister bell!" cried 8.
"It's in mine as well" said 11. "Though by this stage I'm getting used to it."
"You know this really is bad" said 8. "Shouldn't we get round to finding out the problem?"
"Already there! Let's see..." 10 tapped the commands, running round the TARDIS. "What? Vortex-freezers? From... looks like your TARDIS 8."
"I can assure you I wasn't..."
"Wait! Slonerto, the TARDIS, the Governor... Could he be responsible?"
"What is a vortex-freezer Doctor?" asked Norine.
"Difficult to explain. Its a lengthy process for the person in the time machine, picking up radiations from the vortex and saturating an area with it. Makes it tricky for TARDIS' to move through, especially your TARDIS. And... well, I have the last..." 11 stopped short.
"Last... what?" asked 8.
"Well... Its something in your future."
"Aren't you just going to forget all this?" asked Lucie.
"Yes, I suppose I am" replied 8. "So what is the..."
"We don't have time for this!" came the voice of 7, a hologram appearing. "The main fact is... bzzz... bzzz..." The hologram flickered. "I think this... interfere..." There was a crackle of static, the hologram was still there but its words were inaudible.
The image disappeared and the audio resumed, difficult but discernible. "It's easier to just use one medium rrrather then both."
"Thrrree stooges syndrome?" asked Norine. "You know, with the door..."
"I didn't know you watched the Three Stooges" said 11.
"I was almost the Fourth Stooge" said 8. "But I got in an argument over hair... And more importantly there were only Three Stooges."
While this was happening the War Doctor was on the flagship, the largest and deadliest ship. Four guards lay on the floor, one dead. The Warrior was moving through the strategic files, sending them to his past self.
"I don't see why I can't have help from the other versions" he said into his communicator.
"Now you know that wouldn't work!" replied 7. "I have been informed your future selves aren't on good terms with what you did!"
"I do what is necessary!"
"Well... you're not in your closing years yet" replied 7.
"Halt!" cried a voice.
The Doctor turned to see a Virmokian standing there, wielding a weapon.
"I am merely engineering..."
"You are not one of us" said the guard. "And only those of our race are allowed on this ship."
"But I am an acception" said the Doctor, stepping closer. "What of your Captain? I believe he is not of your race."
"Those are but rumors" replied the guard.
"They're not. And I am like him" said the Doctor. "What if you take me to the guard..."
He suddenly lunged, diving under the gun's range and crashing into the guard. They wrestled on the floor. The Warrior was surprised at how strong this guard was, of a higher level then the man he had overpowered earlier. As the man tried to pull out his blade the Warrior rolled over, forcing the blade back while clutching the man's throat. He felt the sensation, familiar to this incarnation, of the blade going through something and something wet. He stepped up, looking at the man.
"You'll die for this!" shouted a voice. Three other guards had come round the other way. The Doctor looked up. "Take me to your leader."
"We intend to. Our commanding officer..."
"No. The highest-ranking figure on the ship."
"General Nidotre?"
"No, I meant the Captain."
On the intercom a voice came. "He's right troops. I would like to see this... Doctor. Or should I say warrior? The fact he refuses that name makes it so difficult knowing what to call him."
The Warrior was marched back towards the machine and the automatic security system activated. Glass walls suddenly rose around the Time Lord and the box was lifted towards the ceiling, moving through the ship and finally into the Captain's room.
The Captain was sitting in a chair with a metallic table in front of him, on which was a mass of plans projected by hologram he was sorting through. He smiled at the Doctor. "Greetings Doctor of War. I see you used that old method, distract us with you from another time while you perform the important task."
"You know a lot about me" said the Warrior.
"I could explain, but a simple telepathic spike should suffice" replied the Captain. "The name I chose was Arma Faber..."
"...Weapon-Smith. But why choose a name from an Earth language?"
"Well... John, it amused me."
"John Smith" said the Doctor. "But you are a maker of weapons, instead of someone who makes people better." He sighed. "Like me, you reject the title of doctor."
Faber put on the helmet and pointed it at the Doctor. "Time Lords have a receptive mind to this so don't worry. Though this may hurt a bit..."
Outside the battle continued to rage. The Virmok lack of numbers was beginning to tell, the Space-Spears crashing into their wing and moving among the ships, which were faring poorly, without the instinct of those in battle, allowing the Jempewol troops to get close to them and shoot them open.
"Reports on the Virmok plans" said 8. "7 was somehow able to get into their battle systems."
The Doctors quickly ran through the plans, and across their faces collective horror appeared.
"Stop the Space-Spears!" cried the 10th Doctor in horror, but it was too late. The ships detonated, tearing the Jempewol forces apart. The surviving ships scattered, uncertain what to do, some flying forward to continue the attack, some going back, others just hanging in space.
The forces of the Slonerto Governor made their move, chasing down groups of the survivors, isolating the ships and picking them off. Despite their faults the Space-Spears showed valor, putting up resistance and hitting some of the Virmok ships with them. However this bravery failed to make much impact.
"The battle... we're losing!" said the worried Dominus.
Funos turned from the battle. "It would be best for us to flee from this system. The Virmok forces will soon move against us."
"They have not secured Jempewol yet. If we wait longer we can build up our defences."
"But this system is not positioned well enough. We would not last long."
Egiqunius was trying to restore order to the battle, but his troops were being driven back.
"The day is lost!" cried one of the Malphans, the local ambassador Julius Nyltolus. "Gilzesh has failed us."
A Malphan Communicator turned to Dominus, who was currently drinking a very sugary drink to calm himself down. "Any order we should send in?"
"We can't give up now!" replied Dominus. "Too much hinges on the battle!"
"Mayhaps we should make peace with Nidotre" said Lunush, a Government authority sent to overlook Dominus. "They are a powerful force..."
"Treaties are but paper, iron is needed behind them or they will not stop a blade!" replied Dominus.
"I agree. Negotiations would only delay the Virmokians."
"Isn't that what negotiations are? A delay of violence?" asked another authority, Mersh.
"Mayhaps. But this would not be much of a delay. And Nidotre broke his treaties with Desigul and Purse. Now those planets groan under his yoke."
"But at least we would know. We would have time to prepare" said Mersh.
"He would be aware of that and we would not have time to prepare" replied Dominus.
"The battle is not yet over" said Funos. "We might still be able to negotiate if Nidotre loses enough of his troops that he cannot yet make an attack outside this system."
"An astute observation" replied Dominus. He turned to the Communicator. "Tell Gilzesh she must be ready to escape. But she must not let this information spread across the fleet. It would mean a panicked retreat, which would aid the Virmokians."
The Warrior watched the battle, with a miserable look. He was currently still in the transparent case, looking through at the reports. It was not as strong as exo-glass, but it was strong enough to hold the Doctor. The Governor smirked at him. "The greatest warrior of my incarnations, trapped like this."
"How long do you intend to keep me here?" asked the Warrior angrily. "I have urgent business to attend to!"
"Of course. You do" replied the Governor. "And I depend on you for my existence."
"But we're on the same ship" said the Warrior.
"We are. And I know how to remove you from the battle."
Arma Faber passed his hand over the screen and from the floor rose a familiar blue box.
"When you were captured your mind was read" said Faber. "I know you were just on Strum Wald."
The Warrior didn't reply.
"A painful memory. I remember it well. It must be why you were plucked from that part of your time stream, you could so remember being there."
The door slid open and a cyborg woman walked in, with two horns on her helm and metal claws. Her scarred, part mechanical-face glared at the Doctor. "Another Doctor?"
"Yes, War Queen."
"War Queen?" In spite of himself the Doctor laughed. "Quite an overt name. With those horns I must ask if you are auditioning for Wagner?"
"Still trying to be humour..."
"I hate you" said the War Queen, pure bitterness in her voice.
"So do many power-mad despots..."
"Not like me" she said. "I know true hate, from all the decades I suffered due to you."
"We haven't met yet" said the Doctor.
The War Queen stepped over to the glass case. "Open it!" She flexed her fingers.
"No. We can't interfere with his timeline. If you left marks... he would investigate."
The War Queen closed her eye and relaxed. "Yes... Of course. It is hard... after all he's done to me."
"I am sorry for whatever I did..."
"You left me like that! 87 years since I last saw you!" She rounded on him and struck the glass.
"Surely you should get back to commanding your battalion" said the Governor.
"Yes... Remember Doctor, you created this new enemy! You brought about this suffering."
"He won't remember, none before 11... bow tie can" said Faber. He pressed a button and the case slid back into the ground.
"Why are you releasing him?" asked the War Queen. "Don't you realise..."
The table suddenly rose from behind the Governor, the four mechanical arms extending. While the table stood on two, the remaining arms reached out and seized the Doctor's arms as he tried to reach into his bandolier.
"So that's your trick" said the Warrior.
"Very standard, but sometimes such simple methods are effective" replied the Governor.
"Well, how can you surprise me now I know your surprise weapon?"
"Why do we continue with this!" said the War Queen. She looked like she could barely restrain herself.
Worry was seen in Faber's blue eyes, and a flash of red. As the War Queen flexed her claws he turned to her. "Leave!" said Faber. "The timeline..."
"Very well" said the War Queen stiffly, and walked out.
Faber turned to the Doctor and took a step towards the TARDIS, the mechanical arms taking a step with him.
"You might as well tell me where you were in your timeline, Doctor, or should I force the information from your mind?"
"I was on Sturm Wald. It was after the 18th battle of the Vuuloqeb."
"Of course... a most terrible battle, worst the planet Cutlimerp had ever seen... until the 19th battle."
The Doctor looked away. "But there are so many battles. I have to steel myself against them."
Faber was at the TARDIS door and had a key. He raised his hand to the lock. "I remember that after this you headed for a battle in the Kolox Nebula... even if it wasn't called that at the time."
"Kolox... Yes, in the segment of the Time War I come from there is activity there. The humans are divided, the Skrawn out for themselves..."
"...But siding with the Daleks" said Faber as he unlocked the door. "Except that hasn't started yet. I may as well tell you that after you see their planet destroyed it will not be long, relatively speaking of course, before you return." As the machine entered after him he smiled. "You'll learn what I mean."
"So you intend to return me to my own place in my... our time-stream. But can you continue with this battle? Other past selves are there."
"I am careful" replied the Governor. "And by now my time-stream has diverged from him in the bow tie. I will be able to fight him without fear."
"Do you remember all I held in my bandolier?" asked the Warrior.
"I remember you liked to move what you held around. Take your enemies by surprise" smirked Faber.
"But I didn't only keep things in my bandolier" said the Warrior, flicking his wrist. A canister of something crashed into the tentacles, and within a few seconds had melted through the outer layer.
The Warrior crashed to the floor as the tentacles repaired themselves. He launched himself at the Governor, who nimbly sidestepped.
"I have had years of..." The Governor was taken by surprise as the Warrior crashed into him from a dive sideways.
"You forgot... I was once young."
The Governor made a move but over-judged himself as the Warrior sent him at the wall. "You've spent too much time in Virmok's gravity. I am used to the gravity of the TARDIS."
Faber reached for his control but the Doctor kicked it away and struck his foe's hand.
While the battle raged outside the flagship, inside the Time Ship another battle went on. The Governor and Doctor fought, the Governor unwilling to use too much force, the Warrior using various tricks he'd learnt over the centuries.
"We seem evenly matched" said the Governor.
"If I was being generous I'd say so."
The robot arms were beginning to rise. Faber's eyes darted to the control box and he made a move, the Doctor diving there before him.
"Now if I can just..." As the Doctor picked up the control a needle jabbed into his thumb. He clutched his hand, staggering to the floor, the control dropping from his hands. The Governor picked it up. "Simple but effective. Only I can use the remote" he sneered.
"You... what have..." The Warrior tried to hold himself up, his arms straining on the controls. A robot arm seized his left wrist as his legs buckled.
"A formula I devised" smirked Faber.
"What... does..." The robot was holding the Doctor upright. He could barely remain conscious, let alone stand.
"Merely a sedative, at least for a Time Lord. It would be quite fatal for other races. Don't worry, on you it should wear of within two microspans. But that is time enough."
He pushed the Doctor into a chair and signaled to the robot.
"Have a pleasant battle Doctor. It seems I'm the warrior" said Faber.
He began to work on the console while the Warrior watched, groaning, unconsciousness slipping over him.
"I've set the coordinates. It will leave in just half a microspan" said Faber as the robot arms walked out. "You will be back where you should be in the timestream, remembering none of this, and will no longer interfere with my plans."
He stepped out of the TARDIS at a leisurely pace, turning back to see the Doctor unconscious. Faber smiled and closed the door. A moment later there was a wheezing, groaning sound, and the TARDIS vanished.
"Another problem down" smirked Faber. "Time I saw the General."
Nidotre, when the Governor saw him, looked delighted. He turned to the Slonerto Governor. "Your plan to blow up the ships has worked well. Look at them flounder! Jempewol will be at our mercy by the end of the day."
"Victory is at hand" said Governor Faber. "But be wary still."
"What can stop us now?" sneered the General.
"Even if victory looks certain we should still be ready" replied the Governor. He turned on the communicator, set to the TARDIS numbers. "But the Doctor will learn my effectiveness." There was a ringing and then a familiar, young voice answered. "Hello? Doctor speaking!"
"Doctor, your thoughts on the battle?" asked Faber.
"Sorry, get back to you!" said 11. "Just need to do something... there's an annoying group of commanders making life very difficult for me!"
Suddenly a volley of shots struck one of the Virmok Troop-Carriers on the edge of the battle. It turned, trying to attack its adversaries, but the attackers weaved round the Troop-Carrier. Assault vessels moved to defend it but their enemies had greater skill, avoiding their shots and bringing down the Troop-Carrier.
There was a beep from the communicator and a voice was heard.
"The battle is not going as you hoped" said the 11th Doctor to the Governor. "My other selves are more effective then you think."
The force of ships, small in size and number but sleek and valiant, cascaded into the battle. The Virmok flank in a few minutes was in disarray as they tried to fend off their foes. The fleet was being led by a man experienced in war. He currently led from the front, rallying the Sharp-Birds against the Virmok Fleet. It was the Doctor.