Almost as soon as the Daleks were gone, the humans had reclaimed whatever buildings had stayed standing, along with their medical supplies. Yaz had spent a couple of days in one, before discharging herself when they determined there was nothing physically wrong with her.
Outside, the people of the planet were in the process of rebuilding, moving back into the ruins of their cities, salvaging what they could and locating the more intact structures to patch up and turn into proper homes again.
Both Yaz and the planet had a lot of recovering to do, but both were in high spirits. They were free in a way that had seemed impossible only a few days ago.
Today marked one week since the invasion. The Doctor had taken Luke, Clyde and Rani back home, but instead of the roar of the TARDIS engines Yaz had hoped for, a sudden burst of sparks filled the air, and a strange looking Cyberman briefly appeared in the room.
Shortly after the TARDIS rematerialised.
Yaz turned to Sec. "Where you reckon you gonna go then?"
"I am… uncertain," admitted Sec. "I do not know what my place is, what my purpose is. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to do. I have no way out of this time period and-"
"Oh come on!" interrupted Yaz. "You didn't really think the Doctor was just going to leave you stranded here?"
"W-What?" Sec was astounded by the implication of her words. "But I-"
"Sec, I meant it when I said you're the cleverest Dalek ever," said the Doctor sincerely. "With all that you've done and you intended to do, as far as I'm concerned, you've more than earned a place in the TARDIS."
He stared in utter disbelief at the Time Lord, then at her human companion who answered his unspoken question.
"It's fine by me too. I mean, you know, despite… everything." She gave him an awkward smile and a laugh. "I'm pretty much just tagging along too, so what's one more?"
"I… I…" Sec felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. "Thank you. Both of you. I-I do not deserve this."
"I'll be the judge of that," replied the Doctor. "Right, come on you two. Best be off."
With a final wave goodbye, they set off back to the TARDIS which the Doctor had at the base of the Statue of Liberty.
"Getting the hang of human sayings then?" Yaz asked
"It is not a difficult deduction to make," he said. "I admit there are some phrases that I have heard that I continue to find somewhat baffling. For example, why are human females of this time sometimes referred to as 'broads'?"
"I'll… I'll tell you later," Yaz muttered, her cheeks colouring slightly, then added to the Doctor. "Meant to say, I'm sorry."
The Doctor pulled the key out and unlocked the door. "What for?"
"Just because that Dalek got away. I know what that means to you. And you, Sec, he must have been like your brother or something."
"Yes, he was. They all were," admitted Sec.
"Think you'll ever see it again?" she asked.
"Oh, yes." He lingered on the door as Yaz stepped in, sharing a glance with Sec. "One day. Well, come on in!"
After a few seconds of trepidation, Sec did so. He had read the many reports and accounts of the Doctor from all manner of different Daleks. He had seen and destroyed many of their time travel capsules during the Time War. Yet he was still rooted to the spot as he took his first look around the console room.
"I know, I was the same," said Yaz in an aside.
"Well? Anything you wanna say?" asked the Doctor.
"TARDIS. Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. Technology created by the Time Lords of Gallifrey of the Constellation of Casterberous. Specifically a Type 40 Mark 3 TARDIS, designed for six pilots with a broken chameleon circuit that leaves it in the form of an earth based device known as a police box. Associated with the Time Lord known as Ka Faraq Gatri, the Oncoming Storm or more universally, the Doctor. To be destroyed or captured on sight along with its occupant, the Daleks' greatest enemy."
The Doctor stared blankly. "Well… gotta say, that's a new one on me."
"It is a standard information package given to every Dalek the moment they emerge from the breeding chambers." He reached out to touch one of the columns. "No Dalek has ever set foot inside of this machine."
"And now, you have. Literally even," pointed out Yaz.
Sec was about to respond to that when the TARDIS made an unpleasant noise when his hand was inches away from the column he was going to touch.
"Oi! Behave!" shouted the Doctor. "Sorry, she's not normally like this."
"I do not expect she has had many Dalek occupants," reasoned Sec. He was about to say something when he involuntarily drew in a large amount of breath which he then exhaled. "What… what was that? Is my body suffering oxygen deficiency?"
"Nope, you're just plain cream crackered," said the Doctor.
Sec cocked his head. "Another odd term."
"He means you're tired. Do Daleks sleep?" asked Yaz.
"We have no need for sleep," answered Sec. "Our bodies do not require it. The casing provides for all of our energy and nutritional needs. Sleeping would merely be a waste of time."
"That explains why you lot are so cranky then," she remarked.
"Come on, I'll show you to one of the spare rooms," offered the Doctor. "I'd say you've definitely earned a rest."
Sec only now realised that his thought processes seemed more deficient than what they were previously. He had to put in a certain amount of effort to keep his eyelid open and his limbs had a dull ache to them that while not painful was not pleasant.
"I… concur," he said and followed the Doctor through one of the doors.
It was so strange that after a lifetime of knowing the Doctor as the greatest enemy of his race, that he was now travelling alongside her as one of her companions.
The universe certainly seemed to have an odd sense of irony.
"Just one thing. If it's possible, just keep away from the Daleks for a while."