First of all, this needs a TRIGGER WARNING for a significant deadly Global Pandemic subplot. I finished this fic last year and never thought it would be so topical by the time I would post it. If you have been personally affected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, please be aware that reading some chapters of this might be an issue for you. I will post warnings in notes at the start of those chapters. 3
That said... This is the sequel to my The Doctor Falls fic, Floor 507! Updates will be posted every other day. Please enjoy. :) 3 3
Chapter 1: The Plan
The Master gazed into the mirror, disguise complete. He posed, smirking at his own unfamiliar reflection.
The Master had worn many different disguises over the centuries, utilizing a wide variety of methods. Hard light holograms, shape-shifting robots, psychic masks... Aliases and forged credentials and stolen identities.
And then of course, there were the uniforms...
Everyone trusted a uniform.
This disguise incorporated all of the Master's years of accumulated knowledge and experience.
It was his finest work ever.
It had to be.
Fooling someone into thinking you were their past self was a tall order indeed.
Especially when that person was the Doctor.
He walked out into the next room where a petite, brunette woman stood in front of an enormous control panel.
The Master cleared his throat. "What do you think?" he asked proudly.
The woman turned around and burst out laughing. "You look ridiculous," she told him.
"So... Perfect then," the Master grinned. This was the Doctor he was attempting to impersonate, after all. If he didn't look ridiculous the disguise would have been a clear and immediate failure.
"Yeah..." the woman agreed, folding her arms and looking him up and down in admiration. "Yeah, totally perfect. You ready?"
The Master considered this question for a moment. So many moving pieces, so much preparation, so many years spent working towards this day...
"Yeah," he nodded, taking a deep breath. "Ready. Do you remember what to do?"
She rolled her eyes humoringly. "Yeah, I think we've gone over it enough times."
"Are you sure?" he worried. "Because timing will be crucial and there's no telling how things might develop..."
"Hey," she cut him off, taking his hand, turning it over, gaze lingering on the glowing gold regeneration energy playing over it. "Don't worry," she said. "We've got this. You and me. Team Doctor, remember?"
The woman stepped closer, reaching up to put a hand fondly to his disguised face.
"Go get him," Clara said. "Have fun." She kissed him on the corner of his mouth and smiled, happy and sad at the same time. "I'll see you when it's over."