CHAPTER 9

STRANGERS IN THE VILLAGE

It took some time for the Doctor to sort out everything that he had been told, after which he tried to explain, in terms the villagers could understand, that not all humans were evil. It seemed to him that only those involved in the workings of the Research Center were the ones actually carrying out the attacks, and this encompassed only a small portion of the settlement population.

Since it seemed the colonists themselves were the only ones the Terrellians had had no direct contact with the Doctor decided to start his investigation there. "It's entirely possible they have no idea what's going on," he pointed out.

Olyeon was less than convinced. To him, all humans were the enemy. He could not overlook the fact that the Doctor had already proven his friendship and was, therefore, willing to listen. He took the Time Lord to his home where they could speak privately, but the Doctor chose not to enter. It was all too obvious the Chief Elder was still extremely uncomfortable around him, even when others were present. The last thing he wanted was to subject him to the stress of a one-on-one conversation in closed quarters and suggested that they remain at the entrance were they could enjoy the fresh air.

The Time Lord and Chief Elder had only just begun their discussion when there was a great deal of commotion across the commons. Someone came over to tell Olyeon that the captives had finally been released.

Willa and the unconscious stranger were taken to the room the injured Dillon and Iris had occupied only a few hours before. This special section of the meeting hall had been set aside specifically for the care and treatment of the released captives. The Doctor marveled at the villagers' organization, each person having their own task to perform. His face darkened as he reflected on the reasons that had forced them to become so organized. He stood silently inside the doorway of the recovery room, watching as the injured newcomer was carefully placed on a bed. The roof was again raised to let in the healing sunlight and Marjora began cleaning and dressing Jason's wounds. She came across the unusual and freshly burned ID number in his forearm, HM1, and looked up in surprise. "Willa, what did they do to him?"

The child gave way to an involuntary shudder before saying in a small voice, "They did everything, Mother."

The stunned silence that followed told the Doctor that the poor unfortunate on the bed (whom he did not recognize as his own companion) had been subjected to the worst possible treatment at the hands of the "whitecoats."

The Time Lord went to the bedside as Marjora continued with her work. "I haven't seen someone hurt this badly in a long time," she told him without looking up.

"He's going into shock," the Doctor observed quietly as he took a seat beside the bed. "He'll need to be kept warm and quiet for a while."

Marjora nodded her agreement, asking her daughter to get another blanket.

"The whitecoats called him a hybrid," Willa informed as she brought the covering.

"Did they now?" the Doctor said thoughtfully. "Now, that's interesting. And none of you has any idea who he is or where he came from?"

"He just…appeared," Laurel replied.

"I'm told," his mother injected, "that he also saved you from being captured."

The Doctor checked the unconscious youth's pulse. "He's very weak," he said concernedly. "Marjora, are his symptoms like the others?" Receiving a puzzled look in response, he asked bluntly, "Do you think he might die?"

"What difference does it make to you?" Laurel burst out. "He's not important. Just another dumb animal to cut apart! Do you really—!"

"Laurel!" Marjora snapped angrily. "That's completely uncalled for! And terribly unfair. After all the Doctor has done for Iris and Dillon, you should be ashamed of yourself."

The Doctor raised his hands to stop the argument from going any further. "No, Marjora, he has every right to be angry. In fact, you all do." Looking up, he saw several villagers standing outside the door, all looking extremely worried. Whether this was due to concern for the gravely injured youth or fear of him, he could not tell. The very fact that he could not tell was the last straw that caused his own pent up anger to spill out. "I, for one, am outraged!" he exploded, jumping to his feet. "This is the most appalling, flagrant disregard for the rights of another living being that it has ever been my misfortune to encounter. The arrogance of the human race never ceases to amaze me! How they can simply sweep aside another sentient lifeform simply because it doesn't conform with their own preconceived conclusions—" The Doctor stopped, suddenly realizing he was ranting before an awestruck audience. Somewhat embarrassed at his over zealous outburst, he cleared his throat. "Sorry. I seem to've gotten a little carried away."

Without realizing, the Doctor had succeeding in rousing his companion, who had heard the familiar voice and was struggling valiantly back to consciousness in order to reach it. Jason moaned softly and stirred. The swirling images of the lab filling his confused mind and he tried to fight them off, becoming more violent as he rose to the surface of consciousness.

Olyeon came over to the Doctor. "I think it would be best if he didn't see you right away," he suggested quietly.

The Time Lord nodded his agreement. This poor creature had suffered enough at the hands of his human tormentors. No doubt he would panic when he saw the Doctor present. Or at least, that's what they all assumed.

The Time Lord had scarcely left the room when Jason's eyes fluttered open. He continued to fight weakly and Laurel took hold of his wrists while his mother tried to calm him. They were both astonished when Jason's claws suddenly came out, neither one of them ever having considered using them as a weapon. Finally the Alterran's mind cleared enough for him to realize he wasn't in the lab any longer and he relaxed, falling back onto the bed, completely exhausted.

"It's alright, young one," Marjora soothed, straightening the youth's blankets as if she were tucking him in for the night. "You're safe here."

"Safe," Jason repeated softly, having to concentrate to focus on the face looking down at him.

"I am Marjora, Physician to the Village."

"You're…a doctor?" Jason asked dazedly.

Marjora nodded. Indicating the others, she said, "This is my son, Laurel, and this is Dillon." Turning to her daughter, she said, "And this is—"

"Willa. Yes, I remember."

Dillon had entered just as the Doctor and Olyeon left. He went over to Willa, who was the only one present not surprised when Jason's claws came out. It appeared to her that this stranger was true to his word.

"Are you alright?" Dillon asked quietly. "Jasmine told me they kept you the whole time. They didn't hurt you, did they?"

Willa shook her head. "No. They put me in the cage and gave me a tran…a tra…"

"Tranquilizer," Jason corrected without thinking. Seeing the amazed faces around him, he said simply, "I was there."

"By what name are you called, young one?" Marjora inquired, asking the question that was on everyone's lips.

Having recognized Dillon, Jason readily understood the look of abject terror and hatred he'd received the night before. He also realized that his forename would be recognized and chose to play it safe. "You can call my Krystovan."

He tried to sit up, only to be gently pushed down by Willa. "Please, you must rest," she said insistently. "I was there, too, remember? I saw what they did to you. It'll take a long time for your wounds to heal."

"Nonsense," the Alterran replied dismissively. "I seriously doubt it'll take more than a couple of hours." Glancing over to the open roof, he then said, "Would one of you, please, help me into the light?"

Laurel and Dillon exchanged an astonished look.

"The sunlight!" Jason said impatiently. "For goodness sake, surely you realize—? Oh, never mind. Just help me up."

It wasn't until he was helped to a sitting position that Jason realized how weak he truly was. He had to be carried into the sunlight and then supported once he was there, being unable to sit up on his own. As an Alterran, he already had the ability to convert the sun's radiant energy by using a specialized form of energy transduction. The fact that he was also in Terrellian form allowed him to integrate that with their ability to use photosynthesis to heal themselves and thus restore himself to health in an astonishingly short period of time.

Marjora brought the young man some water and received an amused smile she didn't quite understand. But then…there was a great deal she didn't understand, despite the Doctor's patient explanations. So many extraordinary things had happened since she and Laurel found the dying Time Lord at the edge of the forest. Where would it take them? And where would it end?

After leaving the meeting hall, the Doctor and Olyeon finished their conversation. The Doctor asked the Chief Elder if he would allow him to contact the colonists on behalf of his people. Even though it was obvious the Terrellian still had mixed feelings about the Time Lord's credibility, he agreed on the condition that the Doctor not return to the village. Instead he was to give one of the sentries at the release point a specific message. This would tell of his success or failure without bringing the other humans to the village.

The Doctor readily agreed to the terms. He then pointed out that, since he had been unconscious when brought to the village, he had absolutely no idea how to get to the settlement. Jasmine volunteered to guide him, and again he marveled at the courage of the Terrellian people. Even though it was apparent his guide was extremely apprehensive, if not on the point of panic during the entire journey, she still trudged on, leading him further and further from the safety of the village.

After going as far as she dared, Jasmine told the Doctor the way he should take for the remainder of the journey. The Time Lord thanked her, not only for her assistance, but also for being brave enough to guide him alone. Seeing her surprised expression, he remarked that it was obvious she still feared he might betray her by taking her prisoner.

"I volunteered because…it's the only way I can repay you…for helping Dillon," Jasmine explained shakily.

"There's really no need—"

"Dillon is my husband," she said quickly. "I don't know what I would do without him, Doctor. You helped him, even though you didn't have to. So now, I help you for the same reason."

The Doctor was clearly impressed. "I hope I can help all your people, Jasmine. You've lived in fear for far too long. You don't even know how to fight back—"

The Terrellian recoiled from his words. "We dare not! Doctor, you saw what happened to the stranger. If you fight back, they hurt you all the more."

"And if you don't fight back, they hurt you anyway," the Time Lord pointed out. "I don't see any difference. Do you? Is it really better your way? Living in fear?"

"At least we are alive."

"Are you?" Not waiting for a reply, the Doctor turned and set off for the settlement.

Now it was Jasmine's turn to marvel. She watched him go, wondering how this unusual man could care so much about a people he knew so little about. She glanced back in the direction of the village and hesitated, feeling uneasy. Was she afraid the Doctor would betray her people? Or was it something else? Something about his words that disturbed her. She had been haunted by the defiant words of the stranger, and now the Doctor seemed to be echoing the same thoughts. Even gravely injured and unable to move, the stranger was willing to fight on. Was he foolish? Or was he simply unwilling to let the whitecoats intimidate him?

Squaring her shoulders, Jasmine came to a difficult decision and drew a deep breath before starting after the Doctor.