Anyone for a Nice War?
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The next morning, saw a frenzy of activity as the Doctor called upon the eldest of the young Time Lords in the main Council Chambers.
"I've called you here to discuss a danger - a danger to the entire known Universe.." He began.
"The Daleks." Clarified Romana. The Doctor shot her a look, and she gestured for him to continue his briefing.
"Before the Daleks of this Universe were a foe to be reckoned with. Romana has told me what has gone before, and I share your loss and grief. But now a new player has been introduced - a Dalek from my Universe. It's knowledge and experience will ensure that, if left unchecked, the Daleks will reign supreme here in this Universe. No planet will be safe"
"We cannot stand against the Daleks! We couldnt then, we can't now! You would take us to our deaths!" Exploded a young brown haired man, three seats down and dressed in the robes of the Pryodonian Chapter. He thumped his fist on the table to emphasise his point.
The Doctor shook his head.
"You stood against the Daleks alone. You thought you could do it all by yourselves.. that was the mistake you made. But if you stand with the others.. if you launch an offensive against the Daleks with allies then you can win. You must win"
"And what of you Doctor? You speak as though you would have no part in this battle. That it is not your concern." Thundered Rodin again. There were murmurs around the table at this, some in agreement and some against.
"It's true, this isn't my Universe. I could skip merrily back to the safety of my own universe proper, leave this one to it's fate." He looked around at the worried faces gathered at the table.
"But I won't."
And the murmurs and whisperings grew loud again, as the gathered assembly debated his intent.
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After three hours, the Doctor had had enough. Nobody seemed interested in getting past their own viewpoints and areas of expertise, and he was getting the beginnings of a headache. He stood and made his way out of the room, stopped at the corridor by Romana's voice.
"Excuse them, Doctor, they are young.. they have seen too much death already." She said, catching up to him.
"Join the club.." Mumbled the Doctor, but he knew he was being unfair.
Pasting a wonky grin on his face for her benefit, he nodded.
"I know. It's just we don't have much time left Romana. If we are to act..." If I am to act.. Whispered his mind.
He took her hand gently,
"We must hurry. There isn't much time left." He finished.
She looked him in the eye then.
"Can we win this war Doctor? " She asked him.
"The truth?" She nodded. Now was not the time to spare feelings.
"I don't know. I think we have a chance to, yes. If the Universe is with us, and the timing is right. I do think we can win, Romana." He assured her.
I just doubt I'll be alive to see it.
She smiled then, a genuine smile.
"Then come back inside, General. We have a strategy to plan." She said, taking him by the arm. He nodded and the two Time Lords walked back inside the council chambers.
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Rose Tyler looked up from her desk, to see Mickey dressed in full fatigues and looking like crap.
"Hey stranger? Hows our defence barracks holding up?" She asked him, smoothing his collar and giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Politcal bullshit or the real deal?" He asked her.
She considered.
"Political Bullshit." She said, looking for a joke.
"Just fine! We'll beat those Daleks no problem!" He enthused, imitating the President's chief spin docter, complete with cheesy grin. She slapped him playfully.
"Not so well then?" She surmised.
"Oh we'll be ready, but I don't think it's much use. We've weapons aplenty, but we don't know what a Dalek can take.. we could be equipping our soldiers with rubber bullets for all we know." He sighed, accepting the cup of coffee she handed to him.
"How far out are they?" He asked her.
"Two systems away. We havent more than a few weeks at best before they arrive." She answered him sombrely.
"Guess we could really use a Code Nine round about now."
"Don't think there's much chance of that." Said Rose, gloomily.
They were both referring to the Doctor, both knowing he couldn't save the day - not this time.
"Down to us then." Said Mickey.
"Fraid so." Said Rose.
The two hugged each other.
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"The Alpha Centurians, the Martian War Lords, the Ice Warriers, the Kalorians, the Shalliek and the Kaoira have all responded. They'll fight with us if we call on them." Reported Taloria, the replacement Comms Technician. Romana had been promoted to second in command since the meeting and spent all her time at the Doctor's side discussing strategies and attack formations.
"Good, good...What about the Jassa?" Asked the Doctor.
"No response from Jassa Prime. But the Sontarans have pledged to watch us all die from a safe distance, if thats any consolation." She said, with a chuckle.
"Had to give it a try... the Movellans"
"They havent responded yet... I think they're ... wait they've just confimed they're in." Said Taloria.
"Alright.. that makes 23 allies... anybody tried to raise Earth yet?" Aked the Doctor, as he pointed out a weakness in Romana's home defense grid network.
"There's some sort of emergency going on down there... oh Rassilon.." She broke off.
The Doctor's head snapped up.
"What? What is it Taloria?" He demanded.
"The Dalek fleet is moving.. it's heading for Earth"
The Doctor's mouth went dry and he had to sit down.
"Estimated Time of Arrival?" He asked her.
"2 Earth weeks"
Not enough time. Not nearly enough time.
He came to a decision.
"We need a distraction and a way of getting there ahead of them." He surmised.
"An signal station could draw them off course, delay them a bit"
"Not long enough. We need time.. and time is what we'll use. Where are the old TARDISes?" He asked her. She was confused.
"But they don't "
He gripped her by the shoulders.
"WHERE ARE THEY?" He repeated, loudly.
"In the bays. But they're dead, Doctor. There's no one to reactivate them since the adults "
"Use your head, Romana. You're LOOKING at a 900 year old Time Lord of the First Rank! What does that tell you?" He demanded of her.
A smile spread across Romana's face as she got what he was driving at.
"It tells me we actually have a chance. We can win." Her eyes were shining, with an emotion she hadn't experienced in a long time. Hope.
"Ever been to Earth Romana? You'll love it, the chips are ... fantastic!" He grinned at her like a madman, and Romana felt another emotion stirring inside her.
Love?
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Will Romana fall for the Doctor? What will Rose make of all of this?
Will the Allies stop the Daleks?
And what IS that crawling up my leg?
Review and you get more. Don't and the Yeti will have to eat your fourth cousin.. twice removed.