A/N: Finally something that's going on….a chapter. Hehe. Hope you enjoy. Please R/R. And thank you for reading.
Chapter Sixteen: We're off to see the Wizard….
Tash was quiet for a moment and the Doctor watched her waiting to see what her reaction was going to be. After all this was her people, and he knew that even though if he interacted in this situation, it was hers as well. She tightened the pearlesque cloak around her shoulders. And she said, "Well Doctor, I don't know about you, but I am going to demand that they return my people back home."
There was something authoritative about her words. The words a leader has for her people, perhaps it was also mother-ish in nature. The Doctor knew better to get in the way of an angry mother. Yet, in his past two incarnations, he managed to be right in the path of an angry Jackie Tyler. He smirked lightly thinking about it. But looking into Tash's eyes there was a low simmering anger. It was more than being a mother. Of course it was part of it, but it was someone that knew they were in charge. The Doctor sighed, "Well Tash, it's your people. I'll support you all the way."
Sarah Jane was the only one that was silent, her jaw had dropped. "This is crazy. What makes you think they'll actually let the Mala'shra go?"
Tash voice suddenly burned with anger, "My people have willingly helped others with their planets, and my people have helped to colonize many barren worlds. To be stolen from their home is an outrage, Sarah Jane Smith. If they had only asked, we would have helped. I do not want to ask them. But…."
Tash suddenly was quiet. The Doctor could feel that anger; shoot how many times had he gotten furious? He had never seen Tash get so worked up. Well that wasn't entirely true. She had been once worked up against him, but he had helped set her straight. Thank Rassilon; he sure didn't want to be in the direct line of a Mala'shra's wrath.
A few angry bitter tears went down Tash's face as she gathered her thoughts and then spoke, "I am the better race. I will ask them. It proves that I am from a civilized and enlightened people. If they refuse, they will be sorry."
The Doctor nodded, he admired Tash's gimp. Although he wondered what would happen when the Kasi refused. He really didn't figure them to do what Tash demanded. She was a very slender and waif like creature. She wasn't too imposing, then again none of her race was meant to be big or imposing. Their evolution never meant for them to be warriors or a race capable of empire building. The Doctor knew that, there strengths lay in the harvesting and cultivation of their home planet. They were a race of farmers, using what mental skills that creation had given them. They could make a barren wasteland blossom. Tash's demanding back her people seemed almost comical, but he knew better to pass it off as humorous. He knew what the Mala'shra was capable of when they were threatened or were angered. He had seen it with his own eyes. That last statement, 'they will be sorry' didn't sound too good. Strange that he was taking rather a passive role in this, but he had decided to take a wait and see approach. After all these were Tash's people, her children and her family. He opened the door of the TARDIS and he managed a smile, although it masked the grim feeling he was feeling beneath it all. "Well no sense sitting here, come along, Sarah Jane. " He didn't have to say anything to Tash; she was out of the TARDIS as if she had been shot.
They walked across a dusty, barren terrain, with a few fertile patches in between. Tash paused for a moment taking stock of the fertile ground with plants growing and she said bitterly, "This was planted by my people. There blood was used to make this ground bloom."
The Doctor nodded, he had never seen Tash so incensed. He wasn't exactly sure if he knew her as much as he thought he did. It kind of unsettled him some. Usually he was the one who got this angry. He put a hand on her shoulder, "Cool it Tash." He couldn't believe he was the one recommending her to put a damper on her anger. Then again, she had ever right to be angry. This was her people. But an angry Mala'shra wasn't a good idea. To make certain, he turned and looked at the plants. They were swaying in a violent manner; but no wind was making them sway. He gulped, this wasn't good. A Mala'shra had quite a bit of control over plant life, and those plants which seemed so harmless at one moment were now acting very much under the power and influence of Tash.
Sarah shuddered, it reminded her too much of the Krynoid seeds that the Doctor and her had found all those years ago. She had a very healthy respect for plants after that. She said calmly, "Tash, maybe you ought to calm down like the Doctor said."
Tash was still angry and the Doctor said, "Tash, the plants. Look at the plants. If you don't calm down you'll do something that you will regret."
Tash began to cry lightly, "My children…"
"I know, Tash…" The Doctor said calmly. "But take a breath. Let it go for the moment. We're your friends. And if you let your anger get out of hand, it might harm us as well. Do you want to hurt us as well?"
Tash shook her head negatively, "No. I only want to do what's right for my people."
"So do I. So calm down, Ta'sheeka Nirata, take my hand as a friend and walk with me. After all, when you have me as a friend, things always get better."
He held out his hand. She looked at it for a moment and then she grasped it. The Doctor smiled lightly as he put his own psychic touch upon Tash and dampened her mental powers. The plants stopped swaying violently. There was after all a time and place for this and now really wasn't the time. But he also wanted to comfort his friend. Although he was feeling that this was becoming more than friendship, he wasn't falling for her. Oh no. He didn't feel that kind of pull, but it was more like a brother's care for a sister. It was slightly endearing to him. He had to admit that he kind of liked it. To Tash, it felt a lot like a warm compassionate hug. And she took her hand and squeezed his hand tightly and he squeezed her hand back. The Doctor grinned and then held out his other hand to Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane sighed and took the Doctor's other hand and he grinned, "You know I feel like saying Lions, and Tigers, and Bears…oh my." They proceeded on their walk.
Sarah Jane snorted, "Doctor, I seriously doubt that we are off to see the wizard."
"Hey you never know. The only thing we need is the TARDIS to crash on a wicked ole Witch and…"
The Doctor suddenly went quiet. His eyes narrowed and he pointed to group of figures working near by on a barren strip of land. He let go of Sarah's hand and dug out his psychic paper. But he still keeps a good hold on Tash's hand. He can not afford to let go of her hand, for he worries that if he does, she will strike out in anger against everyone here.
He grinned lightly as he walked up to a guard, a Kasi guard. Kasi look a lot like humans in various ways but the fact of the matter is they are not human. They do not have a lot of hair. What they do have, they gather up and plat into a single braid. In this braid they wear all their military or state honors they have gained with various jewels. The more jewels in their hair, means the more honors and rank they hold. They are generally taller than humans in height, not by much but enough to be noticed as being taller. There general appearance is that they wear military uniforms or elaborate robes of state. Most of them are either soldiers or politicians. It is a military society and anyone that is not a Kasi, is considered an inferior race. Not that all their society is like that. Some of the Kasi, believe that all species are equal but they are a minority of the population. They often join with other races and protest their own government.
The Doctor shows the psychic paper and states firmly, "I am Doctor John Smith from the society of Ethical Treatment of Races. This is Sarah Jane Smith and this is Ta'sheeka Nirata of the Mala'shra race. We are here to demand that the people of the Mala'shra are shown fair treatment. They are not slaves; they are sentient beings that deserve to be treated properly."
The guard looks annoyed as he looks at the psychic paper and sees the Doctor's references, "Bloody malcontents. How the hell did you get here on Pannath? This whole expedition isn't known to a lot of people. In fact it's top secret."
"Top secret? Why?" The Doctor asks slightly curious.
"Oh no…you don't have the clearance for that." The guard mutters, "You still haven't explained how you found out about the Mala'shraian dogs we have here."
Tash's eyes flame with fire and she looks as if she is about to tear out the guard's throat. The Doctor holds firmly onto her hand and keeps her from doing so. He can tell her anger is just about at its peak. "Contacts in the Kasi government have told us about your expedition and that you are using the Mala'shra to terra-form this planet."
"Really? Well I am only a minor grunt here. All information goes through Captain Shay. He's in charge. I'll take you to him."
The Doctor smiles, "Thank you."
Sarah Jane notes the psychic paper and says quietly, "Doctor, when did you get that?"
"A long time ago, Sarah Jane, it's extremely useful, believe me. Now come along you two, we shouldn't keep Captain Shay waiting."