A Splinter in Time
Featuring the War Master and Bilis Manger
Cardiff, 2007.
In an alley near to Luccio's Italian, a TARDIS began to materialise. It took the form of a tall grey cylinder with a light silver section which opened up after the ship had properly landed. A shortish old man wearing a tweed suit emerged from the ship, a grim look on his face.
"Cardiff," the Master said, grumpily, "a wretched dump of a city. But as there's a rift here, it should do nicely for a short stop. Now, what to do whilst the refueling process occurs?"
He strolled off towards the city, hoping to find an interesting activity to do.
Jenny Miller had found something unusual to investigate. There had been several disappearances near the Bay, coincidentally near the water tower. She knew who worked there though. She knew everything about Torchwood. But Torchwood didn't matter now. She was investigating these disappearances alone. No help. No accomplices.
She stood outside the water tower, on the exact spot where people had vanished. She wondered how they had vanished, mainly because the paving slab she was standing on was just an ordinary paving slab.
"Good afternoon," came a soft, friendly voice from behind her, "are you looking for me?"
She noticed that a sinister looking man had snuck up behind her.
"Who are you?" she wondered, edging back defensively.
"My name's Bilis and I need your help. Do you want to find those missing people?"
"How do you know I'm looking for missing people?"
"Because I've seen your research. You know a lot about Torchwood and I think we could work together."
She smiled, eagerly.
"Let's begin then."
The Master had found a charming little restaurant on the nearby pier and had decided to treat himself to some lunch. He had always wanted to try Earth cuisine, especially during this century. This was, after all, when it was supposed to change.
"Sir, are you ready to order?" came the charming italian voice of the waiter, who was stood next to the Master's table, notepad and pen in hand.
"Yes. I think I'll have a glass of champagne and a hamburger with chips please." he replied, unleashing his most charming smile.
"Of course, sir."
The waiter took his menu away and walked off, enabling the Master to finally relax. It had been a rather chaotic time for him recently, as he had found himself fully immersed within the Time War. In his opinion, the whole concept of a war between the Daleks and the Time Lords was pointless: it would just ruin everyone's day.
"May I join you?" came a strange voice from next to him. The Master then noticed that a strange man had suddenly appeared from out of thin air and was sat next to him. But the Master recognised who it was immediately.
"Bilis Manger, I presume?" he asked Bilis.
"Correct. There appears to be a splinter in time that is kidnapping people and I want you to help me fix it."
"You never ask for help. I'm not a fool."
"But you need an activity to keep yourself occupied."
The Master sighed, remembering how Bilis could travel through time freely.
"Very well. Take me to where the-"
But Bilis had vanished.
The Master sprinted out of the restaurant and activated his laser screwdriver, tracking Bilis to the water tower where he stood next to a young blonde woman.
"Master, meet Jenny Miller. She will be our local knowledge. I am aware that another of your kind likes to have companions." Bilis explained.
"Yes, but I rarely have companions. I am also the one with the laser screwdriver, so please do not think you are in charge." the Master protested, before realising that Bilis had stabbed him in the leg.
"That was a warning not to disobey me. Now we need to go to the main splinter. I managed to track it down but there is a reason I need you."
"I dread to think what that reason may be."
Bilis led the Master and Jenny to the scrapyard that was outside the city and pointed to a large white crack of light that was hovering in the air.
"That is where I wish for you to venture through." Bilis explained, "Your body has high levels of chronon particles and so will be able to survive the journey."
"And what about me?" Jenny demanded.
"It will mean that I won't have to dispose of you later on."
He led them to the crack and shoved the pair of them through it, before vanishing.
The Master sat up sharply and noticed the rotting corpse of Jenny that lay on the ground next to him. He almost vomited at the sight of her but just managed to avoid it.
"Oh, Bilis Manger, I will get my revenge on you." he grumbled, noticing how the crack in time had now vanished, "I will destroy you."
Bilis appeared in front of him.
"No you won't." he remarked.
"Where even am I?" the Master asked, noticing how he had clearly moved to a different location on Earth sometime in the future.
"You're in Cardiff, in the year nine thousand and fifty one. The chronon particles from your body was just enough to seal the crack. Any other questions?"
"I have one more little thing."
He threw Bilis a small metal bracelet, which fastened itself to Bilis's wrist.
"What's this?" Bilis wondered, marvelling at the gadget.
"It's a time clamp. It prevents those who can travel through time freely from leaving this time and place and it has also bonded with the cells in your skin." the Master replied smugly, "I, on the other hand, can get away. Goodbye, Bilis Manger. See you never."
The Master then activated his laser screwdriver and summoned his TARDIS, before entering the ship and dematerialising, leaving Bilis all alone.
THE END