CHAPTER 2

THE ALEXANDRIA FOUNDATION

After several fruitless hours of work on K-9's circuitry, the Doctor gave up the struggle and set course for the planet Aegis, or more specifically, for the Alexandria Foundation; a privately funded facility located on the expansive estate of Emil Sorenson, a wealthy eccentric now deceased. The Foundation site was comprised of a large, semicircular building that wrapped around a central plaza complete with shade trees and fountain. Atop a small rise not far from the main building was a cluster of buildings that made up the residence park where most of the staff were housed.

The founder, the late Emil Sorenson, had risen from relative obscurity to become one of the richest and most powerful men of his time. His reputation for shrewd, sometimes ruthless business dealings was legendary. So when he founded the Alexandria Foundation, it was widely rumored that he was dying of some incurable disease and attempting to find the cure by utilizing his vast fortune. Whether or not these rumors were true was never known for certain. Ten years after the Foundation was brought into being, the news of Emil Sorenson's death was announced by his daughter, Constance, who took over the running of the sizable estate, which included the Foundation.

The TARDIS materialized just off the main drive leading to the Foundation's main building. The Doctor was the first to emerge. He looked around a moment to get his bearings before strolling casually towards the main building, his companions at his heels.

"Have you been here before, Doctor?" Jason asked conversationally.

"Not to the Foundation itself," the Doctor replied airily. "Although I have been meaning to come for some time."

"Then how do you know this friend of yours can help fix K-9?" Leela wanted to know.

"Of course he can help!" the Time Lord retorted sharply, only to scowl. "I think he can help …I'm reasonably sure…" He threw her a dark look and quickened his pace, leaving his amused companions behind.

"That means he does not know," Leela grinned.

The lobby of the large building was almost as impressive as the exterior plaza. The Doctor left his companions near the entrance while he went to reception to send a message to the head of the Robotics section, Marshal Dunn.

Within five minutes, Dunn appeared, an astonished look on his face. "Good Lord, it is you!" he exclaimed, shaking the Time Lord's hand vigorously. "When I read your message, I was sure someone was playing a joke on me."

The Doctor broke into a broad smile, returning the warm greeting. He introduced his companions and went on to explain the reason for his visit.

Marshal was immediately crestfallen, saying that he would have loved to assist in any way he possible. Unfortunately, he was going away for two weeks. Not only could the trip not be canceled, but he also happened to be leaving the very next day.

"I'm sure my staff can provide you with all the technical assistance you'll need, Doctor, but you'll need the proper clearances to get in." Marshal glanced at his watch. "Director Black should be in his office about now. If we're lucky, we can get you set up straight away."

"Splendid," the Doctor enthused. He had his companions wait in the lobby while he went to sort everything out, having no sooner left than a woman came over and started talking to them. She had been attracted by Leela's garment of skins and mistaken them for members of the staff.

"My goodness, you are getting into the spirit of things, aren't you?" the woman observed as she sat down. "Where did you get your outfit? It's wonderful! It's just so…so primitive."

Leela and Jason exchanged a mystified look. "I'm sorry," the young man said politely, "but I think you have us confused with someone else."

"You mean…you're not part of Mr. Dunn's 'Back-to-Basics' nature trip?"

"I'm afraid not."

Jason introduced Leela and himself to the woman who identified herself as Marcie. While he was doing this three other staff members came into the lobby, each reacting in the same way to Leela's clothing.

All this sudden, and unwanted, attention made the warrior distinctly uncomfortable and she shifted uneasily in her seat. Jason immediately recognized the signs that Leela was beginning to feel cornered. He immediately intervened, falling back on his aristocratic training by reversing the tide of the conversation and inquiring about the nature trip everyone spoke of.

It turned out that Marshal Dunn was a bit of a pioneer at heart. Several times each year he would take a group to the far side of the estate to "Get-Back-To-Basics." For two weeks they would try to live off the land, catch their own game and survive without any modern conveniences. All strictly supervised, of course.

Upon hearing this, Leela quickly understood the confusion concerning her clothes. She also wanted to join them, having no desire to remain cooped up inside the sterile Foundation while the Doctor and Jason worked on K-9.

The Doctor and Marshal returned to find the group still chatting excitedly in the lobby. Upon seeing Marshall, the staff members quickly dispersed.

"The Director's tied up in a meeting just now," the Doctor informed as he dropped into a chair. "We've filled out all the necessary forms and left them with his secretary. Hopefully we'll be able to see him within a half hour."

Jason nodded approvingly before turning to Marshal. "We've been having a very interesting conversation with some of your staff, Mr. Dunn. They've been telling us about your trip back to nature."

"Oh, yes?" Marshal replied hesitantly. "And what do you think?"

Leela boldly replied, "I think I would like to come." She received an astonished look from Marshal and meekly added, "If…that is alright?"

The Doctor laughed at his friend's stunned expression. "She's perfect for you, Marshal! And I can practically guarantee a memorable experience. Leela's survival skills are…well honed."

Jason gave an amused snort at his remark. "That's one way of putting it."

Dunn was immediately intrigued. He'd never had anyone accompany him on one of these trips with more than a rudimentary knowledge of survival techniques. "Well…" he said thoughtfully, "I suppose it'll give the others a little inspiration. Something to strive for…"

"Then…I many come?" Leela asked apprehensively, reacting with unrestrained delight when the answer was, "Yes."

A message arrived informing Marshal that the Director was available and that he wanted to see all the applicants. The group was shown into an office that would have been considered massive on any scale. The rolling hills behind the building could be seen through an enormous plate-glass window that dominated one wall. Another wall was covered from floor to ceiling with bookshelves, the remaining others having been covered with rich, dark wooden paneling and carefully selected works of art that were displayed tastefully around the room. Set off to one side was an alcove containing a fireplace, circular table and leather covered chairs that served as a small conference area.

In front of the wall of books, and seated behind an ocean of mahogany, was the Director, Tobias Black. He was quite literally tall, dark and handsome; a large muscular individual with piercing black eyes and only the slightest hint of gray in his short cropped, jet-black hair.

The Director did not rise as the group entered, only glancing up briefly as he shuffled through the forms in front of him. "I realize you're going to be leaving tomorrow, Marshal, but…the level of these clearances…" Looking up, he said, "This is such short notice."

"I am aware of that, sir, but I can personally vouch for the Doctor's integrity," Marshal replied hastily. "And, as you can see, his scientific qualifications are quite extensive."

Director Black grunted, scowling down at the forms and back up at Dunn. "And this young man and the, uh…lady?"

"Leela's accompanying me with the others tomorrow," Marshal said quickly. "As for this young man…" His voice trailed off as he looked over at Jason, who was examining the décor of the room and seemingly oblivious to what was going on. He turned when Marshal started to flounder, flashing an engaging smile at the Director.

"You can vouch for my integrity, Mr. Tobias Black," Jason chirped brightly. "I have lots of titles you'll recognize, I'm sure."

The Doctor shot him a reproving look. "Jason, this is no time for frivolity!" he snapped.

"Perhaps," his companion responded blandly. Then he gave a courtly bow. "Healer Jason of Tel-Shye at your service, Mr. Director. Marquis of Krystovan, Earl of Altrose, Baron of Tara, and heir to the dukedom of Starbridge—not to mention a very old friend."

"Good Lord!" Black gasped.

"Not exactly," Jason grinned. "How are you Toby? Very well, if this office is any indication."

The man behind the desk was thunderstruck, not quite able to take in the amazing appearance of this ghost from the past. "I…I don't know what to say," he managed finally, adding quickly, "And don't you dare tell anyone I said that, Marshal."

Marshal cleared his throat nervously and ventured, "About the clearances, sir?"

"What? Oh, yes. Never mind that." The Director waved a hand in the air. "There'll be no problems."

Heaving a sigh of relief, Mr. Dunn departed, taking Leela along to introduce her to the rest of the group.

Tobias took the Doctor and Jason over to the conference area so as to talk more informally. The chairs were arranged around a circular table inlaid with the seal of the Alexandria Foundation. Jason ran a hand over the surface of the table as he studied the seal. "Aequam servare mentem," he read. "An odd motto."

"Really? I always thought 'With Clear Thoughts'was rather appropriate," Tobias replied.

"Oh, Toby!" Jason laughed. "Your Latin is still atrocious! It literally means 'To Preserve A Calm Mind.'"

"You're right, of course," Tobias replied self-consciously. He then laughed too. "Y'know, I haven't been called Toby in years."

"Just how long have you two known each other?" the intrigued Doctor inquired.

Director Black hedged but Jason answered without hesitation. "Ages! We were in medical school together on Tel-Shye. We even did a residency stint together. That was before Toby—Or should I call you Tobias?—got bit by the research bug. We seemed to've lost touch with one another, oh, I suppose it was back when I went to Gallifrey the first time. That's been…what? At least sixty years, wouldn't you say, Toby?"

By this time Tobias Black was staring at Jason in horror, causing his old friend to laugh. "It's alright. The Doctor's a Time Lord. He knows all about Alterrans."

"A Time Lord!" Director Black gasped. "This is indeed an honor."

This awestruck reaction to his background made the Doctor uncomfortable and he immediately changed the subject, much to his companion's amusement. "Whose portrait is that over your fireplace, Mr. Black?" he inquired. "It seems a more recent work than any of the others."

"You have a good eye, Doctor. That is Miss Constance Sorenson, the daughter of our late, great founder."

The Time Lord raised an eyebrow at how the Director spoke the name as if it were a title. He would not learn until later that this was how all at the Foundation referred to her.

The woman in the painting was standing with one arm resting atop a high-backed chair and Jason guessed she was probably quite tall, close to six feet. She had a clear, peaches and cream complexion, long, honey colored hair and a slender, athletic build. Her only imperfection, in his view, was the fact that she didn't have pale colored eyes. The coal black eyes of the woman in the painting were slightly unnerving. "She's very beautiful," he remarked. "One might almost say exquisite."

"Still got an eye for the ladies, I see," chided his old friend. "I wouldn't waste my time on Miss Constance Sorenson, if I were you, Jaycie. She's as cold as ice and just as ruthless as her father was supposed to be. Always business, never pleasure."

"Such a waste," Jason sighed in feigned disappointment.

"You'll see what I mean when you meet her. She's away just now but due back the beginning of next week. Whenever she's on the estate, she spends half her time in the Foundation."

Tobias then excused himself and returned to his desk where he made a few phone calls. Within fifteen minutes he had issued a priority command that would alleviate any problems concerning the Doctor and Jason's security clearances, arranged for them to stay in the Foundation's guesthouse, and if this weren't enough, he also arranged for them to dine with him that evening.