Scarlett had completed her summary statement to the Elders, giving detailed explanation of what had occurred both on the TARDIS and her understanding of what occurred on the Crucible, during the final showdown with the Daleks.
Prime Minister Balen had presented a detailed report to her of what had been occurring on Teni from the moment she had left to assist the Doctor.
The Elders had many questions for her, regarding the nature of her biological change, how it had happened, why she had interfered with the meta crisis. Most of them asked their questions out of natural curiosity and good will, but as with any government, there were a few more skeptical members of the group.
After two hours of discussion, Scarlett felt the need to bring things to a resolution. "Elders, Prime Minister, I understand the nature of your questions. Curiosity is fair in these circumstances. However, the 'how?' and the 'why?' are not nearly as important as the 'what now?'" Scarlett stated. She was sitting up straight in her chair, hands resting gently on the table in front of her as she spoke with poise and gentility. "Even before I stepped foot on the TARDIS, before the metacrisis occurred, a plan was already written that can answer that question. We have come together for many meetings in the past year, and particularly in the past three months, to determine the next course of action for the Teni government, knowing that one day my time as Queen would come to an end."
She paused and looked around the room at each Elder. "Some of us, for our own reasons, have been hesitant in considering this plan the course of action to be taken. However, even if you don't believe in fate and destiny, surely we can agree that the time is now upon us—we must take action."
She looked at Balen, who nodded his head in agreement with her, before she continued, "The facts are as follows: One: According to current Teni law, I am no longer able to be Queen of our people. Two: There is no other person who can fulfill the necessary requirements to become Queen, or King, of our people. Three: We have a plan already written and prepared that can solve this problem. A change to our governmental structure. This plan will place the Prime Minister as the head of our people. The Elders will remain in place. The people will continue to vote for their Prime Minister, but now, they will be voting for the person who holds the highest office in our land."
The Elders were surprisingly quiet as she continued her speech, "I boldly request that each of you consider the future of our people and vote unanimously to move forward with this plan. We must present a united front to our people in this announcement."
One of the Elders raised his hand slightly off the table to gather the group's attention and spoke, "If we approve this plan, what happens then? My Queen, our people are in turmoil right now. The Daleks presented the first threat we have dealt with in a very long time. Even with our strong defenses, we took heavy losses in the city and surrounding townships. Even the underwater cities are in great need of assistance."
"I agree." Scarlett nodded. "It is imperative we maintain a strong government through this time of healing and restoration of our land. For that reason, I recommend we make the announcement, with a clear statement of partnership between Balen and myself, a transition time of sorts. I will remain in place, by Balen's side, and we will work together to restore our cities and towns to their rightful glory. At that time, once we see that restoration is well under way and our infrastructure is sound, we will set the date for the official transfer of power."
The Elder who had spoke up nodded, seeming to be satisfied with the answer. "I am ready for the vote."
An hour later, after a little more discussion, the vote was completed.
"Thank you Elders for your participation in our meeting. As that matter has been addressed, and we still have a bit more time before the dinner hour approaches, I recommend we address the issue of rebuilding our land."
"Clean up work has already begun, and emergency services are in place," Balen addressed Scarlett. "The next stage is to begin assessing the areas of need. We'll need to determine who needs help, and what takes priority, and how to provide the resources we have available…" Balen paused, and Scarlett could see that he was trying to determine if he should say what was on his mind.
"What is it, Prime Minister? You have something more to say?" Scarlett asked.
"My Queen am I correct that the Doctor and his companions will be remaining on Teni for some time?" Balen questioned.
Scarlett managed to maintain decorum, though she wondered where Balen was taking this line of questioning. "That is their desire, yes. As long as they are permitted."
"It is obvious from their work with the Daleks, and your experience with the Doctor, that he and his companions are very resourceful. I would recommend to the Elders that we officially request the Doctor's assistance in the next steps in restoration."
Scarlett couldn't hide the smile that formed at Balen's recommendation. It was perfect. She began thinking of all the ways the Doctor and her new friends could be helpful in the coming days. And, she considered, it meant more time spent in the Doctor's company. An idea that did not disappoint her.
She was jolted out of her revelry by one of the Elders. "You are recommending that we ask a Gallifreyan for assistance?"
Before Scarlett could respond, Balen scoffed at the man. "I am recommending that we ask a friend of the Teni people to assist us using the great resources he has at his disposal. Oh, and yes, he happens to be a Time Lord from Gallifrey. Elder, have you so quickly forgotten this man's history? He is the reason the Time Lords were stopped from their destructive path in this universe. He is the reason our planet, oh yes, and the rest of reality, was not wiped from existence. I believe more respect and less racism is in order here. If not out of respect for our friend, the Doctor, then for our own Queen who is now herself a Time Lady."
"Here, here!" many other Elders spoke loudly in unison.
Once again, Scarlett was beaming with pride towards her brother. Oh yes, he was ready for his new role, she was sure.
The Doctor and his friends had been wandering through the Citadel most of the day, except for lunch time, spent in the garden, and some time in the TARDIS later in the afternoon getting changed for dinner. Well, really it was just Donna who requested time to get changed. The Doctor, Jacob, and Jack all insisted that their current attire was perfectly appropriate, as if changing into a different outfit would be changing the very essence of their being. Donna had tried arguing but quickly gave up all hope of convincing the three men otherwise and let it be. She was determined to find out later, however, how many copies of the same outfit the three men owned.
What seemed like ages later, she finally stepped back out of the TARDIS. Jack and Jacob were sitting on the water fountain bench, the Doctor paced along the path in front of them. As soon as he heard the TARDIS door open, he turned and stepped towards her. "Finally! Donna, are you ready? Can we go now?" he whined
"Yes, yes. Calm down, Spaceman!" Donna said as she smoothed her hands over the new dressy tunic and pants she had picked out for the night.
The Doctor wanted to fuss, to remind Donna that at this dinner they would hopefully be given news of how the days meetings were going for Scarlett. He hadn't heard anything, mentally or in-person, from her all day, and it was unnerving him. Instead, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and huffed as he waited for her and the other two men to walk ahead of him towards the dining hall.
As they walked, he considered the two books held in his bigger-on-the-inside pockets. Earlier in the day he had re-discovered the massive Citadel library and was excited to find some books that he intended to read thoroughly over the next few days. Research that he hoped would help him overcome some cultural obstacles in the near future, if things went well for him.
As they approached the dining hall two attendants opened the doors and escorted them in. They were directed to specific seats at one end of the long table, which was obviously meant to host large gatherings of guests and dignitaries. The Doctor was seated just to the right of the head seat, the one at the left side remained empty. Another guest then, the Doctor thought. To the left of the open seat Donna was seated, with Jacob to her left. Jack was seated to the Doctor's right.
"I can't believe this!" Donna whispered, "Mum and Gramps will never believe it when I tell them I ate dinner in a royal dining hall with a Queen!"
"Oh, well, maybe you'll get to introduce them to Scarlett. That should make it believable!" Jacob interjected with a grin.
"I hope so!" Donna replied. She glanced over at the Doctor, knowing he was hoping for a future that included Scarlett traveling with them as well. She could also tell he was about to jump out of his skin for news that might reveal that future to be a possibility.
She was about to make an attempt at small talk while they waited when the large doors opened, revealing Scarlett being escorted in by her brother, the Prime Minister. Her arm was hooked around his and they smiled as they entered. The Doctor was the first to quickly stand, followed by the rest of his companions. Donna noted that his sight was glued to Scarlett as she entered, and she thought she could see his heart beating through his chest from across the enormous table. His nervous energy always did get the better of him, she thought, and he was about to jump out of his skin right now.
She was pleased to see that she wasn't the only one who had changed attire. Scarlett wore a gorgeous dress that seemed to change shades of deep blue as she moved.
As they entered, Scarlett glanced around the table, smiling at each of them. Jack noted to himself that when her gaze landed on the Doctor, her smile seemed to widen, and the smile he returned caused her to blush and glance away. Like a couple school kids, you'd never know they were both hundreds of years old! he thought to himself.
Balen helped Scarlett to her seat. Once she was seated, he sat down to her left, with the others at the table following his lead. Once they were all settled, Scarlett finally spoke. "Thank you, friends, for joining my brother and I for dinner this evening. Let this meal be the first of the many ways we hope to show our thanks to you for the bravery and courage by which each of you has performed these past few days. Later there will be celebrations in your honor, but for now we wished to say our thanks privately."
"Can we assume, your Highness, —" Jacob glanced at his brother and back to the Queen, then to the Prime Minister as he spoke, "—Prime Minister, that your meetings today went well?"
Before an answer could be given, attendants began the task of bringing the meal in to the table. Donna smiled at Jacob, pleased that he was cutting to the chase on behalf of his brother. She was unsure if the Doctor could have formed a complete sentence at that moment if he had tried. He seemed to be gripping his silverware almost hard enough to bend it, and she saw him swallow hard as he waited to hear a response.
Scarlett looked to her brother and nodded, and he spoke. "Well, Jacob—" Balen interrupted himself to confirm, "It is Jacob, isn't it?" Jacob nodded and Balen continued, "Yes, I can say now that yes, the meetings did go well. I believe we receive the response from the Elders that we had both hoped for."
"And what," the Doctor squeaked out before clearing his throat, hoping his voice would return to normal and not further reveal his anxiety. "What does that mean exactly? For Scarlett?"
Balen smiled at the Doctor as he replied, "It means that Scarlett and I will be working in partnership over the coming months to restore the order and rebuild the infrastructure that Teni lost during the Dalek invasion."
"And then," Scarlett turned to look at the Doctor, continuing the answer for her brother, "when we and the Elders feel that order is in place, power will be transferred to the Prime Minister." She smiled over to her brother. "Balen will lead the people of Teni."
"And Scarlett will be free of her duties as Queen." He smiled at his sister, then sat back in his chair in a relaxed position and looked back to the Doctor. "She will be free to go and do as she please."
The Doctor gulped again, this sounded good, this sounded brilliant, but he couldn't seem to get his brain to release the nervousness he felt. And what was the look Balen was giving him? Suddenly he felt a warmth within his mind and a voice returned. Breathe, Doctor. You look as if you are about to pass out.
Finally, he felt himself calming. I think you may be right, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. He smiled nervously in her direction and tried not to let the moisture in his eyes overflow. I just-the Doctor's thoughts were cut off by another voice.
"So, Prime Minister," Jack spoke, hoping to move things along as he noticed the Doctor's composure about to break. "We'd like to help if at all possible, with the cleanup, restoration, anything we can do?"
"Well," Balen replied with a smile. "You seem to have beat me to my own question. I do have one matter of an official capacity to take care of at this dinner. You see, Doctor," he continued, looking around at the group then landing his eyes on the Doctor. The distraction was exactly what the Time Lord needed to get his wits about him. Balen continued when he saw he had the Doctor's attention. "On behalf of the people of Teni, as represented by myself and the Elder Council, we would like to request your assistance, along with your present companions, in the restoration of planet."
The Doctor took the first deep breath he had since Scarlett had entered the room, a wide happy grin on his face. "Prime Minister, it would be my honor!"
Scarlett was now free to make up her mind about what her future would look like. And the Doctor was being given a project. An opportunity to help her and her people. Things were getting better and better.
