Chapter Twenty Five

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

"So you went to the future and picked up a Dalek chick?" Peter drawled as both the Doctor and Rocket finished up telling their story. Once the others had explained what they'd missed Peter all but demanded the story from them. To his credit Peter hadn't interrupted nearly as much as he'd anticipated. No that honor went to Gamora at least that was the case when the Faction came up. Well that was somewhat understandable given that were a threat. "Dude Gramps I can't leave you alone for a second can I? Man that's insane to bring a Dalek back. I mean what? That's so out there."

"I'll have you know that Rocket was advocating for her," the Doctor said gesturing to Rocket who was still quite comfortable perched on Oswin while Drax stood to his left holding the remains of Groot. "He convinced me and if there's room for the two of us then she's fine."

"You're right I did," Rocket hissed. "I wasn't gonna leave her in the hands of those freaky Robomen. That would've been messed up and besides we freaks gotta stick together. So she's one of us.."

"Fair enough," Peter agreed amicably holding up his hands in a "you win" gesture. "Well then I'd say I'm cool with it. Weirded out a bit but ultimately cool with it. Welcome aboard sweetheart."

"Can she fight?" Drax asked. He'd been quiet throughout the story. Perhaps he was contemplating it? Who knew with him. "Will she attack us?"

"Yes I can fight but no I won't attack you guys," Oswin answered. She sounded relieved that they were being accepting of her. Not that the Doctor could blame her it was a little nerve wrecking for him as well. Promise or no it would be a while before he was comfortable with her current form. Not that he blamed her since that was his problem not hers.

"Will you help us defend the galaxy?" Gamora asked giving her a serious look. "You promise to keep it safe?"

"Of course," Oswin said. "I promise."

"Then I'll be fine," Gamora smiled at her. "Welcome aboard."

"If she aids me in killing Thanos then I don't care if she's a Dalek," Drax agreed. "She's welcome to me and I have no qualms with her."

"Ye-wait," the Doctor paused in mid celebrating and stared at the warrior. "Why do we want to kill Thanos?"

"He killed my family," Drax stated giving him a determined look. "Therefore I'm going to kill him."

"Ah," the Doctor breathed. "Good luck with that mate. I'll help out if I can yeah?"

"I thought you were against violence," Peter said. "You know find a peaceful solution and all that crap."

"Thanos, Cybermen and Daleks are the exception to that rule considering what they do usually," the Doctor replied. "There's no reasoning with that lot. Er present company excluded of course."

"No worries," Oswin said a smile evident in her tone. "I understand."

"Yeah I don't see a Dalek negotiating with us...except you." Rocket commented. "So you're good in my book."

"Well then," Nova Prime said interrupting the proceedings. "If we're all finished Dey can show you your ship and I can get a drink. Oh your all pardoned for crimes just wanted you guys to know that. Now take them to their new ship Rhomman."

"Right this way," Dey squeaked still staring at Oswin. Clearly he wasn't about to get used to the idea of a Dalek being with them. That was fine by the Doctor's book considering he himself was going to have to go into an adjustment period.

"Here it is," Dey gestured to a newly restored. "We tried to restore as much as we could. Also in gratitude for what you've done your criminal records have been wiped out. Just as the Nova Prime has said."

"So if someone annoys me I can't tear out their spine?" Drax asked.

"No," Dey replied sounding unnerved. "That's murder one of the worst crime in existence."

"Too right it's one of the worst crimes along with pedophilia and bestiality and necrophilia and rape and genocide and being a troll in a forum..."

"Gramps we get it," Peter interrupted his quite frankly long list of crimes. "Sheesh, we don't need a list."

"TMI as they would say in the olden days," Oswin agreed. "TMI Doctor."

"TMI?" Drax stared at her. "What is a TMI?"

"Too much information."

"Really?" Peter's gaze turned from his newly restored ship to her. His face looked eager and excited. "You know old slang? Or is it new slang or...Aw man, now I sound weird."

"You get used to it," Rocket shrugged. "Now let's get outta here before the geezer gets us involved in something else zany."

"Oi I prefer the word kooky to refer to my type of adventures."

"Or nonsensical."

"Piss off Peter," The Doctor teased. "You're just jealous we had fun."

"Why would-"

"And we're outta here!" Rocket said interrupting Drax's question. "Let's go."

"No arguments there," Oswin agreed as she rolled up into the newly constructed ship. The Doctor hesitated for second before following his crewmates onto the ship. This was the beginning of an insane adventure...

"Fantastic," he whispered a grin growing his face. This is gonna be fun.

Dr. River Song was a sentimental sort of a girl. She was more a romantic hence why she put up with her husband's theatrics. Still seeing him set off with the old crew was shall we say...beautiful.

"Have fun my love," she whispered as she watched them take off from Xander to parts unknown. "I'll see you very soon. My past your future. Make it as good as I remember yeah?"

Epilogue for Phase One

In the far reaches of the Ystradgynlais system a man dressed in bony garb stood trembling before a console at a screen that showed his superior. It had a bad idea to answer the hail but the alternative…Well the alternative was even worse to contemplate.

"So," the man on the other side of the screen began his features shrouded in shadows, "you're tell me that your time mine didn't even manage to kill him?"

"No sir," the man whispered back fearful of his master's wrath. "He was picked up by the Sycorax instead."

"I see," the figure hissed. "And what of his machine?"

It was here that the man gulped. It was one thing to fail to kill the Enemy but to lose the machine….

"Gone," he breathed. "It disappeared before I got to it. It's HADS system must have activated."

"So, you not only lost sight of the Enemy but his TARDIS as well?"

"Yes Uncle," the man whimpered.

"You know of the penalty of failure especially of a mission of this caliber."

"Yes sir," the man swallowed as he waited for his fate to be announced.

"Do you know if he's acquired his name back?"

"Um," the man stumbled over the unexpected question. "I don't know sir."

"Find out," Uncle snarled. "There may be hope for you yet. If he has then…" His voice trailed off menacingly. "Well I don't think I need to remind you of what happened with the other failures."

"Of course not," the man said vainly trying not to faint. "I won't fail you."

"Then don't," the Uncle hissed. "You can thank your lucky stars that unlike you we've acquired the TARDIS. It's in the Karabraxos bank in the highest security vault disguised of course."

"Wouldn't it be prudent to place in one of our facilities?"

"Not if the TARDIS rebels," the Uncle said. "That machine is temperamental at best so it's best we don't let it near our own."

"I understand," the man nodded.

"Good," the other name hissed. "No see to it he doesn't gain his name back or Silence Will Fall and the end of our time will come."

"Surely we won't perish," the man feebly protested. "We are above time now."

"Be that as it may," his commanding officer countered. "He can still wreck our plans."

"Yes Uncle," the man nodded. "Don't worry he will not gain his name again."

"See that doesn't," the man hissed before terminating the signal. The subordinate in question gulp once before turning his attention the console he flicked a few switches and entered into the time vortex. He would track down the Doctor and make sure that he stayed away from their plans...Permanently.