CHAPTER 31

FURTHER DELAYS

The Doctor was impressed that Jason successfully kept his temper throughout this heated exchange. He threw a disapproving scowl at opposing council before going on. "This next recording—taken from the ARGO logs—was transmitted a few days after the Triad started distribution of the dispersal disks."

oOo

Mission Day 39

The face of the imposter Wythe appeared on the ARGO's main screen. "I told you only to contact me in an emergency," he scolded.

"Oh, well excuse me for pulling you out of a boring council meeting," Jason spat sarcastically. "I thought you might like to know there's another alien presence on Eldeberon."

"Another…? Surely not," the Cardinal replied dismissively.

"You think I don't know alien technology when I see it? I've been onboard what's left of his ship. He's using holo-technology to disguise it from the locals."

Wythe scowled back at him. "Is he involved with the Glyateven?"

"No, he's helping me," Jason replied, adding sharply, "And considerably better than you are, I might add!"

Wythe gave him a reproving scowl.

"He's fully aware of the risk he's taking," Jason went on.

"Poor compensation for him should the other members of the Triad find out."

"Now he's sympathetic," the Alterran moaned, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. "Look, I don't see the problem. He's got this huge spaceship buried in the middle of nowhere. The only way to get there from the city is over some very broken down country lanes, or by transmat."

The Cardinal sat thoughtfully a moment. "Just who is this man? Where does he come from?"

"I don't know his real name. The locals call him the Benefactor. He crashed landed here several years ago, apparently. He's very tight lipped about his origins, and since I've pressed him into service, as it were, I'm not pushing for details."

"This…concerns me, Ambassador," Wythe observed. "Keep me informed."

oOo

The Doctor quickly continued with his narrative. If Fitzhugh wanted to ask any questions, he was going to have to interrupt. "It wasn't long after this that I arrived on Eldeberon. And as we've seen, my arrival did not go unnoticed by the Triad, which prompted this next transmission."

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Mission Day 44

Before the man on the view screen could say a word, Jason exclaimed, "This is taking forever! Where's that extraction team?"

"Patience, Ambassador."

"That's easy for you to say, Wythe," Jason snapped angrily. "You're not the one with his back against the wall! There's a civil war raging where I am now. There are so many countries and factions going at it, I've lost track. And Tri Global is right in the thick of it. Do you know what the majority of them were in prison for? Arms dealing!" He threw his hand in the air. "What do they need me for? They've already got a built in advisory board."

The Time Lord chuckled. "Are you sure you're not just exaggerating?"

"No, I'm not. In less than a month, Tri Global has practically monopolized the arms market on this planet," the Prince replied tersely. "If that extraction team doesn't get here soon, they really will take over the world."

"I can see how that would be worrying."

"You don't know the half of it," the Alterran snorted. "And the Doctor's here somewhere, too. Did you send him?"

Wythe's eyes flickered. "No. When did he arrive?"

"A few days ago, if the Triad's intel is accurate."

"You'd be well advised to avoid him."

Jason could not believe what he was hearing. "Avoid him! Cardinal, he'd've spotted the alien nature of Tri Global's weapons in a heartbeat. His next step will be to come after Tri Global and then the Triad. I'm number three in the Triad. Just how do you suggest I avoid him?"

"How do you know all this?" the Cardinal wanted to know.

"Because that's what he does! I used to travel with him, for pity sake," the Prince replied in exasperation. "Now all I have to do is figure out how to find him before he finds me."

"For the Doctor's sake as well as your own, do not attempt contact."

"What!" Jason was appalled.

"You wanted to rein in the Triad, didn't you?" Wythe said calmly. "Well, this is your perfect opportunity. The Doctor will do all in his power to stop them, correct?"

"Yes…" came the hesitant reply.

"Then do what you can to allow that to happen from the inside."

"Cardinal," Jason said firmly, "you realize if I don't let the Doctor know why I'm here, he'll think I'm working against him. Or worse, that I've gone off the deep end."

"The deep end?"

The Alterran heaved an exasperated sigh. "He'll think I'm out to take over the planet like the rest of these nuts! Or worse, that I'm laying the groundwork for an invasion."

"In the short run, perhaps. You'll have plenty to time to straighten out any misunderstandings when the mission is over."

"I hope so. We're already on shaky ground as it is."

"It's in yours and the Doctor's best interest to create an illusion of enmity," Wythe advised. "If the others are as paranoid as you've already told me, they'll kill you both without compunction at the slightest hint of treachery."

"You're right. I could get him killed." Jason sank into a chair and put his head in his hands. "I think the strain is getting to me. I'm not thinking straight anymore."

A ghost of a smile passed the Time Lord's lips. "It won't be too much longer, I'm sure."

The transmission ended and Jason closed his eyes. "It's been too long already," he moaned.

oOo