Turlough piloted the Valorian shuttlecraft into the heart of the solar system as the homing beacon glittered in the Doctor's lap. Tegan sat at the rear of the craft watching as the outer planets coasted past her portal. The Valorian fleet remained far behind them, hiding in the ion scatter of Neptune's upper atmosphere, silent and lurking.
"No one is pursuing us," muttered Turlough as he flicked through the ships scanners.
"Hmmm," the Doctor pulled out a set of miniature screwdrivers and began to tweak and scratch at the homing beacon. "We've managed to set them back a bit, but I still need to fix those dimensional rifts…"
Turlough cast a cautious look into the shadows of the craft at Tegan. "I'm assuming first we have to deal with… a… her?"
"Yes, quite." The Doctor's voice was laden with worry, and he too peered back at their companion. "Tegan with the power of a God… mildly disturbing. Not that I never had a hunch of course," the Doctor trailed off.
"You mean that's really me?" Tegan's voice cut through their quiet whispers, elbowing them aside with its raw emotion. "Not the Mara?"
"It's possible," the Doctor conceded as he returned to his work. "The Mara only ever wanted to use you as a portal, not as a permanent host. From what you described… well, lets just say it doesn't sound as if the Mara would let you dominate willingly."
Tegan's face was pale, her eyes hidden by the dim light of the craft.
The Doctor flinched as the device sparked and he blew on his fingers, annoyed. "Whatever she's up to we have to stop her."
"Do we?" Turlough scowled at the autopilot readings.
"What?" Tegan turned on her red-headed companion.
"Well, it's just that I really don't quite see the problem…" Turlough said quietly as he absently fiddled with the directional controls. "After all, she didn't do anything. Except from save all of us from a rather nasty death." Turlough considered. "And borrow the TARDIS."
"Borrow?" The Doctor's face flamed with pained fury.
"Yes." Turlough protested lamely. "We don't really know what she's up to." Turlough looked from one enraged face to another. "Besides, I thought she seemed rather nice, actually. Forceful. Very focused. Definitely an improvement."
"WHAT!" Tegan sputtered.
"Tegan, Tegan," the Doctor said hurriedly as he glared at Turlough. "I need you to focus. Please. I need your help. I've managed to get a fix on her next location using the TARDIS homing beacon; it seems she'll be on Earth in three days time. We can just about make it there before her, but we need to know what she's up to. Now then," the Doctor shoved the beacon into his coat pocket and gently took Tegan by the shoulders, his eyes bright blue and anything but reassuring. "What would you do if you were you?"