IDChapter17

The Shadow Mentalist's Assistant took a step back as Jon bounced up to her. She had indeed intended to keep a superior position as she spoke with the newcomers. She was taken aback by this one's brashness. It unsettled her telepathic abilities somewhat. Her intention had been to evaluate them surreptitiously with her telepathic abilities while carrying on an innocuous greeting conversation with them. The trio had stirred up a great deal of interest within the Shadow Proclamation, largely because they appeared to be from a race which had mysteriously disappeared a decade ago, and also because they claimed to represent yet another race which had been of little interest until recently. The planet these newcomers called Earth had in recent years been the site of some rather interesting events, and as a result had been attracting attention. A committee had been formed, but no action taken as yet, since technically they had no jurisdiction over the planet.

Jon stood with his hand outstretched, looking her squarely in the eye, waiting. While remaining respectful, he wanted to establish straight away that he was not easily imtimidated. He could sense her telepathic abilities, but deliberately kept his own quiet. No point in telling them anything more about himself than necessary.

The Assistant held his gaze while she considered the best response. This person obviously was at least somewhat familiar with the Shadow Proclamation, and no doubt knew that its representatives were not in the habit of touching as a form of greeting. He was no doubt testing her. She sensed a glimmer in his mind, probably latent telepathic abilities, she knew the race he appeared to be a member of had had them. Decisively, she took a step forward and grasped his hand. As she did, a slight shimmer went through her mind, but was not recognizable. It was not a shimmer of "something" so much as a shimmer of "nothing". He must be blocking her on some level. There was more to this being than was outwardly apparent, she noted. He definitely warranted further investigation.

"Greetings," she nodded as she returned his grasp, "and welcome to the Shadow Proclamation. You may call me M1. Unfortunately, most of us have retired for the evening. We invite you and your family to spend the night in our accomodations. We have living quarters available, we can provide you meals, and we have exercise facilities at your disposal."

Jon returned her nod. "That would be most agreeable, thank you, M1. When may we address the Forum?"

"In the morning, after you have enjoyed your meal, you will be summoned. Allow me to show you to your quarters now."

M1 turned and glided gracefully down the steps to the level of Rose and Arianna, Jon following, and beckoned them to follow her. They dutifully trailed her out another door and down another white block hallway to a circular, open area that greatly resembled a hotel lobby. There was an open area with a breath-taking view of space above, with the adjacent structures making it appear like the night sky of a beautiful city. In the center was a sunken area with seating and monitors where one could get news or entertainment, or just relax and converse. Jon noted that supporting the dome over the entire area were "ribs" of a shiny, chrome-like metal. He was pretty sure they were at least partly composed of Ariannous. He needed a chance to discreetly sonic them and confirm or disprove his suspicions. Around the perimieter were more doors, M1 glided over to one and opened it with a pass of her hand over a sensor. Stepping aside, she gestured to them to enter. They did so, and walked into a comfortably furnished sitting area. M1 followed them in.

"These will be your quarters for tonight. I will send a servant in a short while with an assortment of foods which should agree with your tastes as we understand them, and with your physiology. The bedchambers and other necessary areas are located down that hallway. Goodnight." Before they could even say "Thank you," she left and the door glided shut behind her. Jon strode over to follow her out and was stopped by the door, he could not open it by passing his hand over the sensor. Rose tried as well, with no better luck. Arianna started to try, and Jon stopped her.

"No, that sensor might do more than just open the door, let's just leave well enough alone for now. It seems we're a bit more then just guests, doesn't it?"

"It certainly does," Rose agreed. "I wonder if this is standard procedure? Doesn't seem exactly friendly."

"Nope. Well, alright then, let's explore our 'quarters'." He shrugged.

They went down the little hallway and found a bedchamber with a large bed and a smaller bed with sides that raised and lowered. Arianna made a face, she knew she could climb out of it if she wanted, but didn't like being treated like a baby. Rose laughed and messed her hair.

"Not everyone realises you're just a small adult," she teased her daughter.

"Which is fine with us." Jon reminded everyone.

After inspecting the facilities and finding them quite satisfactory, except for the fact that they couldn't leave, they returned to the sitting area. They heard a chime, and the door glided open. Bringing trays of different foods was a being whose appearance made Rose gasp and grab Arianna, clutching her to her chest and backing away. "JON!"

Jon's eyes widened in surprise, but he urged his wife to be calm. "It's alright, Rose, this Ood is harmless. Aren't you?"

"You are correct, Doctor, I wish only to serve you." The Ood replied. After placing its burdens upon a low table, it added, "It is most agreeable to see you again."

"You know me?" Jon asked, incredulous. This Ood souned exactly like Ood Sigma in the other universe, but he couldn't be.

"Yes, or rather, my counterpart does. Our bond with our brothers and sisters in your original universe is strong."

"So, you're Ood Sigma then?"

"Yes, that is my designation."

"Fantastic! Can you help us leave these quarters?"

"That I am not permitted to do." Then telepathically, the Ood reached out to them all. I can, however, give you advice. Doctor, you need to complete your mission here as quickly as possible and leave. You and your family have attracted an unhealthy interest. Guard even your thoughts. "Now I must leave. Be well, Doctor."

Over Jon's protests Ood Sigma turned and left. Jon turned to his family with a finger to his lips, and concentrated on forming a mental shield around them all. When he was finished, he nodded to them, still holding his finger to his lips.

Rose was full of questions. You know him? How? How can he communicate across universes with his counterpart? What do you think he meant about 'an unhealthy interest'? How soon can we get out of here?...

Jon interrupted her, Oi! One question at a time! He gathered al their hands together and projected his adventures with Donna and the Ood, plus his subsequent experiences on the Ood planet, to his wife and child. I don't know what interest they have in us, but I will do what I can to try to find out. Meanwhile, let's just act as though we are going to do as Ood Sigma suggested and simply make our case and get out of here.

Agreed! Rose and Arianna thought with relief.

"Now, let's eat!"

Jon and Rose quickly identified most of the foods on the trays and what order they should be eaten in. There were savory little hors-douvres that Jon assured them were very tasty but they really didn't want to know what they really were. There were exotic tasting salad greens and a liquid used for dressing that tasted like a strawberry vinegrette. There were vegetables that looked similar to Earth veggies, but had different colors and flavors, some sweet, some sour, some rather bland. There were meats which tasted pretty much as expected, and some incredibly delicious cookies for dessert. All in all, very satisfying. Soon they grew sleepy and Rose and Arianna retired to bed. John decided to stay up and maintain the shield around their thoughts.

M1 had been seated at a console which was connected to the supporting structure of the Guest Dome. As Jon had suspected, Ariannous was indeed part of its makeup. Its purpose was to enhance the thoughts of those within its confines, and amplify them to the Shadow Mentalist and her assistants. However, it didn't seem to be working too well on the newest occupants. In spite of their food being carefully selected by the Shadow Chemist to encourage vivid dreams, which M1 hoped to use to access their minds, there seemed to be some sort of block in the way. Nothing to do but resort to the gas. She touched the controls, and allowed the lowest level of gas to permeate the quarters of the newcomers. Odorless and colorless, it created a mild stupor in humanoids. Ah, it was working, she was able to sense thoughts now. Slowly, she allowed her thoughts to sidle up to those of the littlest one, and gently work their way into her dreams.

Arianna stared at the stranger who had appeared in her dream as she was playing with her playmate Wolfie. "Who are you?"

M1 smiled. "Just a friend," she answered. "I've never met anyone quite like you before. Where are you from?"

"Earth." Arianna answered warily. "You know that. Daddy told you."

M1 tried her best to look troubled. "But I don't think your Daddy is telling us everything. It's very, very important that we know everything, otherwise we can't help you very much. You do want our help, don't you, to protect Earth? That's all we want."

"Well, yes," Arianna said doubtfully, stroking the huge golden canine who was her companion. The canine watched M1 carefully.

"Well then," M1 said gently as she moved closer to Arianna, "Can you tell me where your Daddy is really from?"

Arianna was just about to open her mouth to answer when the huge canine snarled and launched itself at M1.

M1 opened her eyes with a start and gasped. That had almost been enough to shock her into cardiac arrest. The child had a guardian of some sort, that much was clear. Perhaps the mother would be a better choice. How much could a child know, anyway?

Rose was on Voyager, speeding through space to get somewhere, she couldn't remember where, when suddenly Jackie was standing beside her.

"Mum! How did you get here?"

"Oh don't be daft, Rose Marion Tyler! You wanted me here, remember? So here I am."

Rose gawked at this, when Jon came back from the cabin.

"Jackie! It's about time you got here! What took you so long?"

Rose stared at Jon. "You knew she was coming?"

"Well of course I did, it's a surprise! Isn't it great? What could be better than having your mother on board?"

Rose started laughing. "Now I know I'm dreaming," she sputtered between gales, "One thing I know is my husband would not want to have my mother on board for any reason, except to say goodbye, maybe." She wiped tears from her eyes.

"Well if you're going to be that way about it, go piss off anyway." Jackie said angrily. "You're no daughter of mine anyway, you alien!"

"Mum, what do you mean? How can you say that? You know I'm your daughter!"

"Well if you're really my daughter, tell me how you changed into this species!"

Rose opened her mouth to respond, then stopped. She couldn't remember how, but worse, she knew this was not her mother. Something was in her dream, trying to mine information from her dreams. She was in danger.

The last thing M1 saw was Rose bursting into golden flames of energy.

They found M1 dead at her console the next morning.