AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wieonol - Pronounced WEE-ə-nol (rhymes with Tylenol)
CHAPTER 30
"WHAT'S YOUR STORY?"
A fault had developed in the Defense screen that for centuries had shielded the planet Enol from the outside universe. Before the Wieonol even knew it was there, a fleet of Gres-Fa-Raayn not only discovered it but had also used it to descend on the unsuspecting population. The invaders quickly learned the planet was devoid of any weaponry and swarmed unimpeded down. After subduing the inhabitants, the leader of the fleet immediately took control of the planet's considerable stellar technology to further expand the reaches of the militaristic race. In order to guarantee the cooperation of the Wieonol leadership, the Gres-Fa-Raayn had taken a member of each of the ruling families hostage. Later when the Heladin system and the planets it contained was discovered, the hostages were removed from Enol and placed on one of them. Shortly thereafter the controversy surrounding the planets' sovereignty erupted and the present summit was arranged, immediately curtailing the Gres-Fa-Raayn's plans of expansion.
Jason groaned and closed his eyes. "Why can't anything with you be simple?"
The Doctor gave him a sideways glance. "You should talk, Mr. Ambassador."
Before Jason could think of a suitable reply, K'ell'k stirred. Only Jason heard the rhythm of his breathing change slightly, but all present heard the soft moan that followed. l'X'el got to his feet, giving the Healer a panicked look, uncertain what to do. It turned out the decision was unnecessary as the Alterran waved him over.
"Take it slowly, Kay," Jason soothed gently as K'ell'k struggled to open his eyes. "You've had a nasty bang on the head."
"Lix…" K'ell'k said almost inaudibly, unable to focus on the figures standing over him.
Jason looked up, suddenly seeing l'X'el for the frightened boy that he was. "Go on, talk to him," he encouraged quietly. "But not too long. He needs to rest."
Taking his brother's hand, l'X'el said, "I'm here, Kay."
"I can't move…" K'ell'k struggled to say. "You have to go…before they find you."
Jason scowled as his patient's vital signs changed dramatically and he gave his brother a warning look. "Keep him calm."
"We're safe, Kay," l'X'el soothed, leaning close to his brother's ear. "It worked. He came. Just like I said he would."
"Came?" K'ell'k repeated in bewilderment. "The Doctor? You really did it?"
"Yes. Everything's going to be alright now."
"No, Lix, it's not safe…"
Jason held out a hand to stop l'X'el from replying. "That's enough." The frightened young man nodded, saying no more. "Kay, listen to me," Jason said gently, leaning close so his patient could see him. "Do you know who I am?"
K'ell'k gave him an unfocused look and then his eyes widened. "You…you're the Ambassador," he said in disbelief. "Ambassador Krystovan."
"That's right. Do you believe me when I tell you that you and your brother are safe here?"
"Yes, sir."
A small smile came to Jason's face. "Good. Now get some sleep. We'll talk more when you're stronger." To his relief the boy closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
When Jason looked up again the expression on his face contained so much suppressed rage that the Doctor took a step forward. His former companion shot him a warning glance, stopping him in his tracks and causing him to stiffen visibly. Despite the outward signs, Jason was not on the verge of losing his temper. He was in no mood to be mollified either. He turned his angry gaze in l'X'el's direction, causing the youth to stiffen also. "The only reason I haven't given you a good hiding," he growled, "is because I promised the Doctor I'd wait until I had all the facts."
"Jason…" the Doctor said warningly.
The Alterran ignored him. "Now. What's your story?" he demanded. "Why did you go to such elaborate lengths to lure the Doctor into coming here when all you had to do was ask?"
l'X'el threw a nervous look in the Doctor's direction, receiving a reassuring nod. "Go on, tell him," the Time Lord encouraged. The boy returned to his seat and drew a deep breath. He explained that the Gres-Fa-Raayn had taken over all means of communication on Enol and that all transmissions were being closely monitored. While searching the archives for a means of secretly constructing his own distress beacon, he came across the manual for the manipulator. He knew of the existence of the ancient device from his father, who had been its custodian for many years. What followed was months of research and practice on the manipulator, as well as research about the Doctor, who was something of a folk hero to the Wieonol.
"A folk hero?" Mel giggled. "You, Doctor?"
"It was a very long time ago," the Time Lord replied tersely. "Several lifetimes ago in fact."
"Oh," Mel replied meekly.
The Doctor turned to l'X'el, biding him to continue.
"Well, you know most of it," the boy went on. "When I found out about the summit, I knew I had to get word to somebody about the Gres-Fa-Raayn, but I didn't know how." He went on to explain that he had accidentally discovered the Time Lord's connection to Jason during his research. He had used the manipulator to review the Alterran's ambassadorial travels, thinking he might be able to somehow get in contact with him. It was not until he witnessed the attack on the SILVER TRIUMPH and its subsequent encounter with a freak time eddy that his elaborate scheme began to take shape. He got the beacon onboard by using the manipulator, adding it to the plans when the triple plating was installed. Its designation as a "stress monitor" would guarantee that no one would remove it and when the time eddy became a temporal distortion, it further guaranteed the correct ship would be sucked through.
"You changed the outcome?" the Doctor exclaimed in a disapproving tone.
l'X'el held up his hands. "I know, I know. I'm not supposed to. But you don't understand. The whole thing was rigged." Turning to the stunned Jason, he informed, "Your attackers were Gres-Fa-Raayn with orders to stop you getting to Earth. Only one of the smaller ships was let go so they could tell everyone what happened."
"And all the manipulation that followed?" the Doctor injected, his curiosity taking over. "The movement of the distortion, the faint traces of an interstellar ion field, Jason surviving a crash landing that should've flattened every piece of metal on that ship. That was all you?"
"Yes. And the location of the crash, his being found by your companion, the language barrier that keep her close at hand," l'X'el admitted, trying not to sound too proud of himself. "I… wanted to make sure I got your attention."
The Doctor blinked, wondering what else the manipulator was capable of doing. "You went to a great deal of trouble just to gain my attention," he observed.
"Endangering all our lives," Jason cut in sharply, "and nearly getting your brother killed in the process. Why?"
"Because my parents are among the hostages!" l'X'el exploded, having to fight back tears. "Nobody cares what happens to us." He waved a hand in his brother's direction. "I doubt they even know we're gone."
"Hang on a minute," the Doctor broke in. "You said only members of the ruling families were taken hostage."
l'X'el drew a deep breath to get control of himself. "On my mother's side there's my Grandfather, who's President of the Grand Council," he announced startlingly. "On my father's side is the head of the inner retinue." He looked over at his critically injured brother, a pained look coming to his face. "They're all too busy to worry about the likes of Kay and me. I've been looking after him ever since our parents were taken."
"You're related to the President of the Grand Council and the Gres-Fa-Raayn are ignoring you?" the Doctor said in bewilderment, not quite believing this to be true.
"We're just a couple of outcasts. Troubled teens not worth their time. And as for the illustrious President G'rl'k…" l'X'el snorted derisively, waving a hand.
"G'rl'k!" the Doctor exclaimed, seizing the name and startling everyone in the room. "His father's name wouldn't have been Tre'lo, would it? Mother died in childbirth?"
l'X'el smiled, sitting back in his chair. "You remember them, Doctor? After all this time?"
Jason and Mel exchanged a look that was a combination of resignation and disbelief before each rolled their eyes.
"Oh yes, vividly. Tre'lo wasn't much older than you when I saw him last." The Doctor's voice hardened slightly. "He tried very hard to convince Susan to stay behind."
l'X'el nodded, having heard the story more times than he could count. "But Susan told him she couldn't stay because you needed her."
The Doctor snorted. "She couldn't stay because I wouldn't allow it!" he corrected sharply.
Jason gave an amused squeak. "Ordering a traveling companion around, Doctor?" he chided playfully. "That's not like you."
The Doctor gave him a piercing look. "Susan," he stated coldly, "is my granddaughter."
Jason blinked. "Your…? I never knew you had—" Seeing the painful ghost of a memory pass across his friend's face, he took a seat and waved a hand in the air. "Never mind. None of my business." He turned back to l'X'el, his face stern. "You've told us about your family and your sad story of being deserted. But you still haven't answered my original question. Why did you go to such elaborate lengths to lure the Doctor into coming here when all you had to do was ask?"
"I was desperate and I didn't—" Breaking off, l'X'el threw a guilty look in the Doctor's direction. "I'm sorry. I just didn't think that you'd respond to something as mundane as a simple cry for help." Were the situation not so serious Jason would have laughed out loud. "Our problems are political and you can't get involved in that," the boy concluded.
"That's quite true," the Time Lord agreed solemnly and much to Mel's annoyance.
"What?" she exploded. "Doctor, these people need help."
The Doctor gave her a pained look. "My dear Melanie, the Wieonol are a conquered race. If they're too complacent to keep their protective barrier functioning properly, who am I to interfere when someone else stumbles upon their weakness?"
"But temporal manipulation is another matter entirely, isn't it?" Jason injected knowingly, giving l'X'el a pointed look. "That's why you dragged my ship back in time."
l'X'el nodded but did not meet his gaze
"Well, I'm here now," the Doctor said firmly. "What exactly do you expect me to do? I still can't get involved in your planet's politics."
"I…I don't know!" l'X'el put his head in his hands. He suddenly looked on the point of collapse, the stress of the past year finally taking its toll.
A small smile came to the Doctor's face as he saw Jason instantly switch into what he had dubbed "Healer mode," the angry lines on his face vanishing. The Alterran said something quietly to Mel, receiving a small nod in reply. "I think you should get some rest," he then said gently, touching l'X'el's arm. "You can lie down in one of the rooms in the main sickbay."
l'X'el looked up in confusion. "I don't understand."
"You don't have to," Jason replied in the same gentle voice. "You've done your bit. You got the Doctor here. Let him work out what to do next. You get some rest before you collapse. You won't be much good to your brother if you end up in a bed next to him."
Mel was already at the boy's side. "Come on, I'll show you," she said gently, going to the door and holding it open for him.
The Doctor waited until they were alone before speaking again. "Jason, I really cannot get involved here," he stated flatly.
"It's not like you to back away from something like this," his friend observed.
"The Time Lords are getting very particular about what I do lately. I have to be careful. At least for the time being."
Jason nodded, and sat thoughtfully a moment. "Would you assist me, then?"
The Doctor looked up sharply. "What? Jason, it wouldn't make any difference."
"Let me rephrase that. Would you assist me, Ambassador Jason Krystovan, the Imperial representative and leader of the upcoming Earth summit to investigate why the Gres-Fa-Raayn have concealed vital information and tried to stop the summit by making an attempt on my life?"
The Time Lord's eye lit up, a glowing smile spreading across his face. "You know? I believe I will at that."
By this time Jason was grinning from ear to ear. "I hope that is sufficiently official enough a request. I'm sure my Uncle will be more than happy the endorse it. He rather enjoys annoying the High Council."
The Doctor grinned and sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "So, Mr. Ambassador, how do you think we should proceed?"
His former companion grinned back "You know me, Doctor, concealment all the way. I'd go in by the back door. Whereas you usually like to charge in head on. But since you probably already have a plan in mind…" He paused a beat. "That was a trick question."
The Time Lord's eye lit up, his smile widening. "Actually, I think you've hit the nail on the head. What we need is a two pronged attack."