IDChapter15
John set course for the Shadow Proclamation and they were on their way. It would take them almost 3 weeks to get there, in the meantime they studied everything that Jon had been able to download from the space station. Much of it was of little use, since it dealt more with commerce summaries and agricultural practices than anything else, but there was an up-to-date 3-D star chart programme which was quite helpful. Also of some use was a book detailing all the known galactic cultures and the best marketing strategies for each.
"Ah, marketing stategies, I love marketing strategies! You see, salemanship is nothing more than effective psychology put into practice." Jon emphasized. "You just never know when you're going to need it. Why I remember one time Martha and I were in the American Old West when we met a 'snake oil' salesman – but the thing is, his 'snake oil' actually cured people! ..."
"Daddy, I can't concentrate!" Arianna and Rose were studiously pouring over the star chart via the HD telly mounted on the bulkhead. Rose had patched it into the ship's computer and they were manipulating the star chart programme with a joystick.
"Right, then, I'll just..." he hesitated, staring at the image they were studying.
"10–0-11-0-0 by 0-2 from galactic zero center!" Arianna chanted excitedly. There was nothing there, but Jon recognized the stars.
"That's where Gallifrey would be, if it weren't time-locked." The three of them stared reverently at the spot for a minute, then Jon said,
"Let's look around a bit more, shall we?"
Jon took the joystick and slowly manuvered around, then found what he was looking for.
"Hah! There it is, Karn exists in this universe!" He zoomed in on it. "Arianna, what can you tell us about Karn in the other universe?"
"Karn was a habitable planet in the same solar system as Gallifrey. In its colonial days, before Rassilon, it was populated by a peaceful, mostly agricultural people. In Rassilon's time, it became home to the Sisterhood of Karn, the remnants of the expelled Pythias, who cursed Gallifrey with sterility. They also guarded the Sacred Flame, which was used to distill the Elixir of Life. When it was discovered that the planet was a wealth of rare minerals, other races moved in and industrialized it. They ravaged the planet's resources without mercy, and eventually it became an abandoned wasteland. You and Sarah Jane helped the Sisterhood save the Eternal Flame and kill Morbius." The three of them shared a huge grin before turning back to the chart.
"It's also called Karn in this universe," Rose observed from the star chart. "The footnote also says it is primarily agricultural, and is currently populated by just one indigenous race. It must be very similar to your Karn in its colonial days."
"When can we go there, Daddy?"
"First we have to talk to the Shadow Proclamation. Then we'll go on to Karn. If I'm not mistaken, Karn will have everythig we need to grow our coral into a TARDIS. Then," he grinned, "We can go visit GrandMama Tyler, anytime we want to!"
"Yippee!" Arianna cried. She missed Jackie, and as much as she loved traveling with her Mummy and Daddy, she got homesick at times.
"So, let's see what the star chart says about the Shadow Proclamation."
He deftly manuvered through the chart to the coordinates. There they looked upon three asteroids linked by bridges.
"The footnote says it is the 'Supreme Authority' in the known universe" Rose stated. "It's policies are enforced by the Judoon, just like in our old universe."
"Hmmm... I wonder what the marketing strategy book says about it?" Jon swiveled around to another station and pulled the book up on its monitor. He quickly performed a search and found a very brief paragraph on the Shadow Proclamation. He read:
"'Not interested in any but the most basic commerce, specifically consumable commodities such as food, clothing, and fuel. Does not directly influence commerce, apart from enforcing Galactic Law. Best advice is to not draw their attention, lest they should discover any infractions. Penalties can be severe.' Sounds rather intimidating."
"Sounds like we'd better do our homework before we get there." Rose experienced a vague feeling of unease as she said it.