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Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Chapter 3: Sprung

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"Lovely view from up here," Theta Sigma remarked as the two Time Lords crossed a high walkway overlooking a vast plaza. He looked back at his captor, "Only this doesn't seem to be the way to the Presidential palace."

"Very good, Thete." Borusa smiled at him. "You're being -- I believe the word is -- sprung. We're going someplace where we can speak freely."

"So you can get the real story?" He shook his head sadly "The good cop/bad cop technique isn't very original, Borusa, and it doesn't suit you. Besides, I was telling the truth before. A change of scenery isn't going to change my story. By the way, where are we going?"

"My private quarters. Ah, here we are." He pulled a key from his robe and opened the door. Once inside, he set the staser on a small table and went to the kitchen. "Can I get you anything to drink?" he asked his former student. "I'm afraid I don't have Best Old Shobogan, but I do still have some of that tea you brought me. From Earth, wasn't it?"

"I'll never tell." Theta Sigma stared at the staser on the table.

"You don't need to, Thete. I know. You'd be surprised at some of the things I know. For instance I know all about your little extracurricular jaunts with Drax."

Thete squirmed. "I see." He didn't like where this conversation was going.

"Still, it was a very thoughtful gift," said the voice from the kitchen. "Thank you."

Looking nervously around the elaborately furnished room, his eyes settled once again on the gun. "Er, Borusa... aren't you just a bit worried that I'll take that weapon and run for it? Or even shoot you with it? I am a dangerous criminal and a high risk for escape."

Borusa poked his head out from the kitchen. "Oh, that? It's not armed," he deadpanned. "Never was."

"You mean I could have run off at any time?"

"I suppose. You can run off now if you want to. But I wouldn't advise it. I'm not your enemy, Thete. I brought you here so we could talk. Now about that tea...."

Theta Sigma smiled. "That would be lovely, Borusa, thank you." He made himself comfortable on the sofa. Borusa was indeed devious, he thought. In all the right ways.

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They sat together on Borusa's unbelievably comfortable sofa, sipping tea and reminiscing about old times long into the night. "So you don't feel you belong here, Thete?" Borusa asked.

"No, no, it's very nice, thank you," Theta Sigma remarked as he admired Borusa's elegant but understated furnishings. "Certainly a pleasant change from the prison."

The tiniest smile warmed the old Time Lord's stern features for a moment. "I imagine so. But that's not what I meant. I recall someone saying 'I don't belong here -- not in this cell and not on this planet'."

Theta Sigma shook his head. "Eavesdropping, Borusa? I'm surprised at you."

"I don't see why. You were expecting to be overheard. 'Counting on it', even."

"Yes, yes. But you?"

"Well, you said I was devious."

Theta Sigma looked sheepish. "Erm...actually that was Drax. I, er, said you were a softie."

"Hmmmm...." Borusa's face was unreadable. "So you did. I'd almost prefer devious."

"But I did say you had a prickly exterior. That should count for something."

"It just shows you aren't completely blind to people's character," Borusa snapped. Then he grew quiet. "But Drax was right. I am devious. One can't remain in my position and not be devious." He sipped his tea thoughtfully. "You know, it was so much simpler in the old days. When I could just be a teacher instead of having to play politician all the time. Honesty counted for something then."

"I recall someone saying 'Only in mathematics will you find truth'."

That flicker of a smile appeared again. "So you were listening."

"Shhh! Don't spread it around -- I have a reputation to live down to!"

"What's another secret to keep?" Borusa sighed. "I have so many you know."

"So why did you leave academics? Even I can see you were happier there."

"That's very true." There was a thoughtful pause. "I didn't bring you here so I could moan about my 'high and lonely destiny', Thete, but the truth is I didn't have a lot of choice. One doesn't just turn down a position like mine. Especially when the Chancellor himself offers it."

"Nonsense!" Theta Sigma looked appalled. "You could have refused."

"No, Thete. You could have refused. You always were something of an iconoclast. I'm not. So I'll have to settle for devious."

"Don't forget prickly."

"Indeed. But we're not here to talk about me. I'm more interested in you. In your future." The old Time Lord looked hard into his former student's eyes. "What are you going to do, Thete? You're a fugitive. A wanted man."

"Not yet I'm not. I'm here with your blessing, right, 'my Lord Borusa?'"

"Not exactly. You know I lied about taking you to the Presidential palace. In fact the President, the entire Council, are thus far unaware of my activities. You're here with my blessing, but you're not here with theirs. When they learn you're no longer in the prison, the council will issue a warrant for your arrest. I will not turn you in, but if you're captured, I'll deny I ever spoke to you. Apart from your interrogation of course. If you're found here, I'll claim you forced your way in. They'll surely believe my word over yours."

"But the guard--"

"--Will support my story. I told him the President wanted to keep this quiet. If anyone asks -- which they probably won't -- he'll deny I was ever there."

"What's this all about?"

"Your future, Thete. Despite what this looks like I am on your side."

"How, Borusa?!?! How can this possibly work in my favour?"

"You don't want to be here, you said. No great surprise, that -- I've known it for decades. I'm offering you your freedom. You've escaped from prison, Thete. With my help, though I'll never admit it. Now finish the job. Escape from this planet."

Was this possible? Theta Sigma could not believe what he was hearing. "Es-Escape?" he babbled. "From Gallifrey?"

"Yes, Thete. Escape. Permanently. It won't be easy and it won't be safe. It's a big, bad universe out there, but if anyone is ready to take it on, you are. I've arranged everything. That old type 40 you, er, borrowed is waiting for you in the repair bay. Of course the official story will be that you stole it. Only you and I -- and Drax -- will know the truth, and we're not telling."

"Drax?" Theta Sigma tensed, looking suddenly concerned. "Where is he? You mustn't let them hurt him..."

"Relax. They couldn't hold him." Borusa's voice was soothing. "I only asked him a few questions. His story checked out, so they let him go."

Theta Sigma released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding, and Borusa continued: "Since his release Drax has been working nonstop on that old TARDIS. He's fixed what he could -- chameleon circuit's still sticky though -- and he assures me that it's safe for at least one journey through time and space. After that you're on your own, so go someplace you like. Oh, and the recall functions are disabled at both ends. Wherever you decide to go, you won't be traced or followed."

"Drax is in on this too?"

"He has agreed to keep quiet about this whole arrangement."

Theta Sigma recalled his friend's sometimes mercenary nature. "And what did you agree to?"

Borusa sighed. "I agreed to pass him. He'll graduate, Thete. I never thought I'd see the day, but Drax will be a Time Lord."

Theta Sigma grinned but Borusa was instantly cold and aloof again. "And you will be a renegade, Thete. Are you prepared for that?"

Renegade. The younger Time Lord pondered this. Renegade Time Lords were the secret shame of Gallifrey. There had never been many of them, but they could do incalculable damage to time and space. The existence of a renegade among their ranks was one of the few things that could motivate the otherwise firmly non-interventionist Time Lords to take action. Usually harsh and destructive action. Finally he spoke. "You've gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this. Are you trying to talk me out of it now?"

"I'm just being honest with you. You deserve that much."

"What happens if I decide to stay?"

"You go back to prison. Of course now that you know I'm unarmed, you might try to run, but I assure you, you will be caught. Your sentence will be far more severe if you don't go willingly."

"My sentence?" Theta Sigma wondered aloud. "But I haven't even been charged with a crime yet."

"You will be," Borusa replied. "And as you suspected, the charge will be interference."

"They'll never make it stick."

"They will, Thete," Borusa stated. "You've drawn the attention of the Council, and not in a good way. You're an embarassment to them. They need you to be guilty, and if evidence can't be found, they'll make some. They need you to disappear, Thete. I'm merely offering what I hope is a better way for you to disappear."

"Permanently."

"Yes, Permanently. If you do this," Borusa informed him, "you can never come home again."

There was another long silence. "This isn't my home, Borusa. My home is out there."

The old Time Lord gave him a friendly slap on the back. "What are you waiting for then? Let's go!"

Theta Sigma paled. "You're not coming too..."

Borusa laughed -- a sound rarely heard any more. "Me? Dashing off to see the universe? Going renegade, even? No, Thete. I'm much too old and set in my ways for something like that. I'm surprised you even suggested it. No, I just thought I'd see you off personally."

The younger Time Lord frowned. "Is that a fact now? Or is there some other reason you want to 'see me off'... permanently."

"Very good, Thete!" Borusa exclaimed. "You're being cautious. Questioning. Paranoid, even. That's good. It will help you survive the dangers that await you out there." He was silent for a moment, thinking. "You think I might arrange a convenient accident for you between here and the repair bays. Save the Council the embarrassment of a trial."

"Something like that, perhaps."

"Truly devious," he said. "You'd have done well on the Council yourself. But I wouldn't have had to bring you here for that. Consider how much easier it would be to arrange such an 'accident' in the prison. 'Shot while trying to escape' for instance. No," he placed a hand on his former student's shoulder, "you misjudge me. I really do simply want to say my farewells in person. Oh, I won't pretend you haven't been a thorn in my side at times. But through it all I had a touch of admiration for you. I'll miss you, Thete, believe it or not. But you said it yourself -- you need to be out there. So go. Get out there and make this big bad universe a better place. I'll fight my battles here, from the inside, but never doubt that I'm doing it for the same reason."

"You were a great teacher, Borusa. I'm going to miss you too."

"That means a lot to me, Thete. Now let's go. You've got a TARDIS to steal."

"And you're going to be an accessory to the crime."

Together the two Time Lords made their way to the repair bays. "They'll never prove it."

FIN