CHAPTER 33
SAFE HARBOR
The Doctor turned to the screen. "I'd like to note that while these recordings are of events onboard the ARGO, they come from the Matrix archive. When compared to the ARGO security log, the two were absolutely identical."
Eustis looked up sharply, exchanging an astonished look with the equally amazed Fitzhugh. "When was this comparison made?" he demanded.
"Early this morning," the Doctor replied unrepentantly and smiled unabashedly at the Inquisitor. "I wanted to satisfy my own curiosity at the time." Eustis was not amused and gave him a disapproving scowl. Behind him, the Doctor heard Jason stifle a laugh. "This recording," he went on, "was made shortly after Prince Jason completed the surgery that saved my life."
oOo
Mission Day 47
Jason was standing motionless before the recovery cabinet, his eyes glued to the monitors. The Doctor had come through the surgery with flying colors but was still in very critical condition. The Healer had no doubt that he would make a full recovery. He also had no doubt that his friend was going to be absolutely furious with him when he finally woke up. Considering the alternative, Jason felt he could handle the Time Lord's wrath.
"Incoming secure transmission," the computer announced suddenly.
"Don't tell me there's been another delay," Jason moaned. He crossed to the command deck and hit the switch. Wythe's face appeared on the screen. "I have good news for you, Ambassador," he said happily. "The extraction ships are in your sector and will rendezvous with you within the week."
Despite the fact that this was the very news he had been hoping for, Jason suddenly felt completely drained. "Great," he replied dully.
"I thought you'd be pleased."
"Oh yeah, I'm ecstatic. Can't you tell?"
Wythe sighed heavily. "What's happened now?"
The High Councilor's condescending tone set the Alterran off. "I destroyed a friendship today, that's what's happened," he snapped angrily.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I shot the Doctor!" Jason exploded, adding in a sarcastic tone, "But you were right! I'm in thick as thieves with the Triad now. They can't get enough of me."
The man on the screen sat in a stunned silence. "Are you telling me that you actually killed the Doctor?"
"No! But everybody thinks I did." Jason sighed heavily and sank into a chair.
"I suppose that's a good thing," the Cardinal replied mildly. "May I ask why you chose such a drastic course of action?"
"You're the one who said I should create an illusion of enmity," Jason reminded coldly. "I did it to save his life, if you can believe it."
"I'm not sure I even understand it."
"He was with a group that stormed the building last night. The Triad was going to have them all shot. I told them if they did that he'd just regenerate and be back in their hair again."
The Cardinal raised his eyebrows. "Now, that I do understand."
"I don't think even a Time Lord could survive getting shot with the weapons they're using. I was sure he'd die if I let them take him out with the others." Jason ran his fingers through his hair and laughed at the irony of the situation. "The worst part is, I needn't've bothered. The group outside rescued the others before the guards had a chance to fire a shot!"
"You did what you thought best at the time," Wythe replied sagely.
"If that's supposed to make me feel better, it doesn't," the Prince snapped angrily. "I should've pulled out when I had the chance."
"No, you mustn't abandon the mission. That could have disastrous repercussions!"
"It already has!" Jason snarled, slamming his fist on the console and ending the transmission. He rose to his feet and crossed back to the recovery cabinet. He looked in on the Doctor's pale form and leaned his forehead against the observation window, as if to get as close as possible to his unconscious friend. "Why did they have to come now?" he asked in an annoyed tone. "They couldn't've waited until after you woke up, could they?" Drawing a deep breath, the Prince straightened. "Computer, how much time is remaining on the shut down of the stasis field?"
"Six hours, four minutes," the computer replied.
"And the estimated time after that before the Doctor regains consciousness?"
"Given current parameters, twelve to eighteen hours."
"Good. I'm not due back for another—" Jason broke off when the computer suddenly announced, "Incoming transmission. Audio only."
The Prince scowled. "Acknowledge transmission," he ordered. There was a beep in response to this order. In a calm voice, he said, "Krystovan."
"Kryss, you're alright!" a female voice responded happily. "When you didn't come last night, we were afraid you'd been…well, you know."
Jason cursed under his breath, having completely forgotten about his rendezvous with a group supplying aid to the hundreds of refugees throughout the city. He threw a quick glance at the recovery cabinet beside him before replying, "I'm sorry about that, Becky. A friend of mine was nearly killed last night. I completely forgot about the meeting."
"No explanation needed, Kryss," Becky said quickly. "You take all the time you need."
"Are you still in the same sector?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll meet you tonight," Jason promised.
"What about your friend?" came the concerned inquiry.
Again, Jason threw a concerned look at the motionless figure within the recovery cabinet. "Don't worry. I have someone who can look after him while I'm away. Krystovan out."
The Alterran drew a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. "I am never doing a one man operation again," he growled and then ordered, "Computer, contact the Sanctuary."
"Acknowledged," the computer replied. A minute later, it said, "No response."
Jason frowned. "Continue to hail. Let me know when you get a reply."
"Acknowledged."
The lights on the Med-computer started flashing and the Alterran Healer turned his full attention to it. He made an entry into the computer, smiling as the readings changed, showing an improvement in the Time Lord's status. "How do you do it, Doctor?" he asked conversationally as he looked in at his unconscious friend. "Alone and clueless, you can save the universe. And you make it look so easy!"
The computer announced, "Incoming response to hail."
Jason looked up, crossing back to flight deck. He smiled when he saw the Benefactor's robed figure on the screen. "There you are! I was afraid something had happened," he sighed relievedly. "Is everything alright out there? No mini-wars breaking out?"
"None as yet," the Benefactor replied mildly. "The terms of the truce you proposed were agreed to by all sides. You should've been a diplomat."
Jason smiled inwardly at this observation. "You must be getting pretty crowded."
"With the help of some rather skilled craftspeople, we've been able to open another level," the Benefactor informed proudly.
"That's great," Jason replied happily. "Has Marcus been in touch with you?"
"Yes. We've already worked out a supply schedule. No one will go hungry. You've been very busy, Jason."
The Prince gave a tired smile. He didn't know the half of it. "I need a favor, if I haven't used them all up already."
"Nonsense. I must confess, I'm finding this all quite exhilarating," came the happy reply.
"I'm going to be sending someone over to you in a few hours. He has a serious chest wound and will need close medical attention."
"Is that all?" the Benefactor laughed. "We have injured people arriving hourly."
"This man—the Doctor—is a very close friend of mine, Benefactor," Jason stated bluntly. "He thinks I'm working against him right now and he's in no condition for me to dissuade otherwise. I want him kept safe until I have time to straighten out this mess."
The robed man cocked his head to one side. "I'm not sure I understand you correctly. Am I to allow him to continue to believe you're his enemy?"
"No. I want you to tell him I sent him intentionally," the Alterran replied quickly. "I'm sure he'll understand my reasoning, he just won't be too pleased with its implementation. Just keep him safe for me until I can come talk to him. And no matter what he says, do not, under any circumstances, let him leave the Sanctuary to come after me."
"No one leaves the Sanctuary," the Benefactor pointed out. "You made the rule yourself."
"You don't know the Doctor the way I do, Benefactor. He's a master at breaking rules."
"I shall do my best."
oOo