CHAPTER 12
TO ALTERROUS
Less than two hours after the Doctor went to investigate the activity at the Foundation, the TARDIS was on its way to Alterrous in pursuit of the shuttle.
"I still don't understand what happened," Jason was saying as he prowled around the console room. "How did they find her? We haven't even presented the petition yet."
"Well, according to the Sergeant in charge," the Doctor said slowly, "a message was sent to the Alterran Central Command from the Alexandria Foundation itself."
"Yes, but by whom? Who sent it?"
The Doctor cleared his throat. "You did."
Jason's jaw dropped open and he stared at the Time Lord in utter astonishment. "I what!"
"Obviously someone used your name. Eh, title, actually. It seems the message was signed by the Marquis Krystovan."
"This is terrible!" the young man exploded. "Who would do such a thing?"
"Well, according to our helpful Sergeant, the message was sent in the Alterran mother tongue. And, aside from yourself and Constance, who else would have that kind of knowledge?"
"Toby…" Jason breathed. Shaking his head, he muttered soberly, "He really was insane, wasn't he?"
The Doctor chose not to respond, looking up as Leela entered the console room. "Ah, there you are!" he chirped brightly. Turning to the Alterran aristocrat, he said, "Tell me, Jason, do you think you could find something more suitable for Leela to wear to an Imperial audience?"
"I won't wear those strange clothes again, Doctor," Leela protested. "I can't breathe in them, and there is no place for my knife."
Jason grinned. "I think I can find something suitable that you'll like, Leela."
"Well…you've only got two days," the Time Lord injected amusedly. "Perhaps you'd better start now."
The two days seemed to pass with excruciating slowness. Jason had been unable to persuade the Doctor to take the TARDIS through time as well as space in order to overtake the slower shuttle craft. The Time Lord stated flatly that by doing so he would be changing the Alterran's personal timeline, which he flatly refused to do.
Unable to get around the Time Lord's arguments, the Alterran aristocrat sent a message directly to Emperor Quinton requesting that he delay any action concerning "the Changeling" until he arrived. Jason went on to contact the Alterran Central Command informing them of Leela's presence. By pulling a few strings he was able to obtain special permission for her to accompany him into the Imperial Palace. This was necessary because she was an alien who held no rank, official or otherwise. As a Time Lord, the Doctor needed no such permission, as he already held the rights and privileges of the Alterran nobility due to a special provision in the Alliance between Gallifrey and Alterrous.
As the TARDIS approached Alterrous and the planet's outer boundary of security satellites, the Doctor contacted Central Security for his clearance to enter the capital city and coordinates for the Imperial Palace. This was done merely as a courtesy, as the time machine was one of the few capable of penetrating the security grid and landing on the planet's surface undetected.
The Doctor was in the process of entering the coordinates when his companions entered the console room. Leela was wearing an ankle length beige dress made from a leather-like material. The skirt was full and made up of several panels joined as far as the knee. The bodice was form fitting without being tight, which immediately won her approval, as did the ornate belt, sheath and dagger that accompanied the costume.
Jason had also found something suitable for himself, since he was still unable to transmute, his usual way of changing his clothing. He had selected a navy blue three-piece suit and had thrown a full length Inverness cloak over it, unaware of the fact that it was leftover from the Doctor's previous incarnation. He was also wearing an intricately braided gold collar with an equally intricate jeweled insignia attached to it. When Leela asked about it, he explained that each pattern on the collar signified one of his titles, the medallion itself designating his rank in the House of Krystovan.
"It's all a lot of high society nonsense, really," the young Lord added offhandedly. "Just for show."
The Doctor raised an eyebrow. Something else he had learned from the Sergeant was that the House of Krystovan was one of the oldest and most respected in the Alterran Empire, Jason's father being the highest ranking member. He made no remark on young man's comment, activating the scanner as soon as the TARDIS materialized in a courtyard in the Imperial Palace. Some rather unfriendly looking guards immediately surrounded it.
"Not the most promising of welcomes, is it?" Jason remarked as the scene was revealed on the viewer.
"Are they always this congenial to arriving nobility?" the Doctor asked dryly.
Jason gave him a disapproving scowl. "The nobility isn't usually in the habit of arriving in Police Boxes, Doctor."
The Doctor snorted indignantly, never one to appreciate any criticism of his beloved TARDIS's shortcomings. He pulled the door lever and made for the exterior doors, stopping short just as he reached them. "I think, perhaps, you should go first, your Lordship," he said with an after you gesture, throwing a meaningful glance over to the viewer.
The Alterran smiled, exchanged a devilish look with Leela and nodded regally. "Why, thank you, peasant," he said loftily as he disappeared through the doors.
Emperor Quinton was in the throne room listening to Chancellor Dru who was droning on about the unpredictability of the Changelings, recounting the trail of carnage that had been left in their wake. He had been going on for what seemed an eternity.
Emperor Quinton was a regal figure in every sense of the word; a large, imposing man with red hair and beard, and dark chiseled features that were known to turn to stone whenever anyone was foolish enough to incur his wrath. His garments were equally impressive: robes of blue and purple velvet trimmed in gold and jewels, on his head, an exquisitely crafted crown, on his left hand, the intricate ring of state, and hanging from a gold collar around his neck was the Great Seal of Alterrous, the symbol and source of his Imperial power and authority—its power seeming to radiate from him.
In comparison to his Emperor, Chancellor Dru was rather ordinary looking, average in build and unimpressive in dress, yet at the same time, he was passionate in his beliefs in matters touching on Alterran law. One might almost use the term obsessed.
"I don't understand your hesitation, Sire," Dru was saying. "The Law is clear—"
"Is it?" the Emperor interrupted wearily. "I wonder sometimes. And in light of Lord Krystovan's latest communication, things seem even more obscure. There can be no harm in delaying judgment until he arrives."
"Any delay with a Changeling is dangerous."
"I believe the communication did mention she'd been cured."
"With all due respect, Sire," Dru said skeptically, "I find Lord Krystovan's claims in this respect dubious to say the least. I would've preferred a qualified medical opinion—"
"I haven't forgotten your personal prejudices concerning my nephew's lineage, Dru," the Emperor snapped. "Perhaps this has caused you to overlook the fact that Healer Jason Krystovan's medical qualifications are beyond reproach."
The sovereign held up a hand as Dru opened his mouth to voice another objection. "I know. You'd still prefer that I have the Changeling executed immediately." Rising to his feet, the edge to his voice became even sharper as he said, "But it is I who am Emperor, and it is I who will decide."
The Chancellor bowed at this rebuke, grinding his teeth in anger as he did so. He'd been in competition with Quinton for centuries and had never gotten over the fact that he had not been the one named to the Imperial throne. Eventually, he lost favor with his one time friend, becoming bitter and extremely jealous.
At that moment Jason arrived in his persona as the Marquis Krystovan, a page announcing him as he entered. The Emperor recognized the Doctor and Jason, both of whom he had met for the first time no more than a year before. He was intrigued by Leela, whose presence he had authorized and was completely fascinated by K-9.
Jason led the group, stopping before the throne and bowing low. "Your Supreme Majesty does me great honor in allowing this audience," he said humbly.
"We are honored to finally have you present at court, Lord Krystovan," Emperor Quinton replied formally.
Turning, Jason made the official introductions of the others. Then the Emperor got down to business. "I must confess, my Lord, I was puzzled by your second communication. It so contradicted your first."
"But I didn't send the first!" Jason exclaimed. Realizing his sudden breach of court etiquette, he apologized and said, "My Lord, may I—" Glancing back to the Doctor, he corrected himself, "—may we, speak freely?"
The monarch held up a hand, turning pointedly to Dru. "You are excused, Chancellor."
Obviously affronted by this abrupt dismissal, Dru bowed and withdrew, throwing an angry glance in Jason's direction as he left. He had no sooner gone when the Emperor surprised everyone present when he said in a normal tone, "I can't stand that man." He laughed at the astonished looks he received in response.
The monarch took his visitors into the next room where they would not be disturbed. He ordered some refreshments and then took a seat, motioning his guests to do the same. Leaning back in his chair, Emperor Quinton took a deep breath. "Now, Jason, Doctor. What is this all about?"