A/N: Here's the next chapter to my story. Sorry it has taken so long to update, but my family has gone through a bit of tragedy lately, hence the gap in updates. Hope you enjoy. Please R/R

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Chapter 14: Of Telepathy and Slavery

Tash was still crying as Sarah Jane helped her back into the TARDIS. The Doctor sighed, "Tash, I haven't lost your children yet."

Tash shook her head, "It's not that….I can feel them. Crying and in pain. They are my children."

The Doctor and Sarah looked at each other for a moment, seeming to both grasp upon some sudden revelation amongst themselves. He then said, "Why didn't say something about that earlier, Tash? If you felt them….then that means we can trace where they are."

Tash said, "You didn't ask."

The Doctor sighed, he hadn't thought of asking. Of course, he should have realized that Tash had a connection to her children. If she hadn't had such a bond, then she wouldn't have received a message or felt something terrible in the first place, "How strong is your bond with them, Tash?"

Tash shrugged, "I don't know. My people don't measure psychic and telepathic ability. We only know some are strong, others not so much. Usually those with strong psychic and telepathic ability become healers and growers. I suppose I am one of those who were born with a strong affinity. My people at one time measured it, but gave up; it gets tricky after awhile to create a standard to measure such ability because each Mala'shra is different and not the same."

Sarah Jane didn't even know Tash had telepathic ability, Tash had never said anything concerning it when she had first met her. Then again, Tash had been so shy. The idea crossed her mind, had Tash read her mind? All those times she was there. A concerned looked came upon her face and reflected itself on her features.

The Doctor smiled lightly, "Sarah Jane, do you think all telepathic races want to know what's going around in your primitive little mind?"

Sarah gave him a nasty look, "Oy, Doctor. Stay out of my head; you're doing it now even. You get into my head, even when I don't want it."

Tash frowned, wondering what had brought this conversation on; except that she had mentioned that she was telepathic.

He laughed, "Oh Sarah, Sarah. I only mucked around your mind because I have always been worried or concerned for you. You know, I didn't particularly like it when you were going around saying 'Eldrad must live.'

She sighed, "Okay, okay. You're right. But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

The Doctor smiled and saw the look of confusion on Tash's face and he said to Sarah and to her, "Besides most telepathic races have a code of etiquette when it comes to themselves and others. Isn't that right, Tash?"

Tash suddenly realized that the whole conversation was about her and her telepathic abilities. She blushed lightly, "Yes. Was someone worried that I would violate someone's mind?"

Sarah then felt foolish because it was obvious that Tash had no idea what was going on conversation-wise because she had chose not to 'read her mind.' "I guess I jumped to conclusions. I am sorry Tash, although it would have made it easier if you had told me."

Tash sighed, "I was scared, Sarah Jane. And at the time, I followed my own instincts. I chose not to tell. But now can we please find my children."

Sarah nodded; Tash had been very shy and timid when she remembered her. Although being with the Doctor, she seemed to be not as shy when she had been. If anything, Tash was a bit more open and spoken with her and the Doctor.

The Doctor nodded, "Quite right. Now Tash, your link to your children, I have to link you once again to the TARDIS or…" The Doctor paused; he wasn't fond of the second option, an option that would have required him to link with Tash's mind himself. Since he was already linked to the TARDIS, the TARDIS would know the location from his linking with Tash. But he didn't want to, for the obvious reason that Tash would read his thoughts as he linked his mind to hers. He wasn't sure if he was up to Tash feeling his thoughts and his memories.

"Or what, Doctor?"

"I could link my mind with yours. I am already connected to the TARDIS but linking to my mind is a caution. I don't keep my mind too tidy. Lots of untidy dendrites. Sarah Jane can attest to that or was it Leela? See what I mean? My mind isn't completely there."

Tash chuckled lightly and Sarah blinked, "Who's Leela?"

The Doctor coughed a bit, "Another traveling companion, an Amazon woman, well kind of. Savage. Yes, those were interesting days."

Sarah nodded; she had accepted that she was replaceable. After seeing the Doctor with Rose, she had come to terms with Rose being with him. The Doctor, at least this version of the Doctor needed her. When she traveled with the Doctor, that version or rather versions of the Doctor needed her during that time. Strange that traveling with the Doctor, she had learned that things all depended on time.

Tash laughed, "I am not afraid of an untidy mind."

The Doctor gulped a bit, "You're not?"

"Nope. Unless you are."

"I am not afraid."

"Good."

The Doctor muttered something untranslatable under his breath. How did he end up in these situations to begin with? He took a breath and then said, "Okay Tash, I want you to close your eyes and focus. Focus on the cry of your children, focus on their pain."

Tash nodded and did what she was instructed. The pain and cries filled her head. Tears came down her face. Voices. So many voices. She began to scream, "Too many…too many voices. So many in pain." Tears poured down her face.

The Doctor and Sarah cringed; they didn't like seeing Tash in pain. He quickly put his hands on her face and sighed. Why did he worry in the first place? Tash was in so much pain, he doubted that she would feel anything from him at all. But he moved forward. He placed his mind beside hers. Soothing the pain she felt, making the pain more durable and then he focused on tracing it. He could feel it, see it in his mind, that silvery translucent link that cried somewhere from space. He followed it and let the TARDIS follow it with him. He followed the cry, past stars. Stars that were so very familiar to him and then it settled upon a world. A barren world, a world that cried out with famine. And he saw them the children of Ta'sheeka. And he saw through their eyes. They were working the land, or rather being forced to work it. They were being forced to cultivate a famine ravaged planet. Anger and rage filled him. He trained his eyes on those who had enslaved Tash's offspring. The Kasi. He should have known. The Kasi Empire held a vast number of planets in their hands, and kept many of those people from those planets as slaves. A government, that was a lot similar to Earth's Roman Empire. The Doctor was not fond of them. It was only a matter of time when he and the Kasi crossed paths.

He broke the telepathic connection with Tash and said, "We are headed for the planet of Pannath, it's a planet that has had a famine for at least fifteen years. I believe the famine has ended recently but…the famine has been so massive. It has nearly killed off most of the viable plant life on the planet. But that doesn't mean that it can be re-cultivated."

Tash's eyes were filled with tears. She was breathing heavily, but was still aware and conscious, but visibly shaken. Sarah said softly, "Are you all right, Tash?"

"I…I…think so. It hurts. My brain feels numb."

He paused; he couldn't understand why the Kasi wanted a practically barren planet for. Then again, the Kasi were expansionists. They were all for expanding their empire and establishing colonies. They must have seen some value in Pannath. Whatever that cause was, he'd figure it out soon enough. He then said, "Your brain will be fine, Tash. Give it some time to recover. You've done well though. More than well, your amazing, Tash." He gave her a smile.

He set the TARDIS for Pannath and he grinned, "Hold on, both of you. It's going to be a bumpy ride."

The TARDIS gave a lurch, and Tash and Sarah were sent a winding. "Told ya…" The Doctor said. "There's quite a bit of turbulence in this area of space."