Chapter Eleven: It's Time for Action
The following morning, Rose stumbled out of her bed with a sleepy expression. She hadn't gotten in until almost four. The Master took her walking all over London. It was a fun time, but she was spent. Yawning and not bothering with more than a robe, she opened her door to discover the Master hanging about. "Morning, Rosie."
"Morning. What're you doing out here?"
"I heard your alarm from my room. And, I wanted to give you this," he held out a small trinket. It was a glass rose stained a deep red.
"Where'd you get it? It's gorgeous…" she asked with a large grin.
He frowned. "I made that, you idiot. That's my handiwork. Turn it over. It's got Gallifreyan etched in the glass. I used one of the jars from the kitchen."
"When did you have time for it? This had to have taken you weeks."
"A genius like me? I made it last night when we got back. It's a broach. You pin it on with the small hook. Enough talking. I'm starving. I hope there's sausage."
She took his arm and they wandered into the kitchen where Jackie was feeding Tony, Pete was reading the paper, and Mickey was shoveling food into his mouth. They all stopped what they were doing and stared at the couple. Mickey laughed at the sight and held out a hand. Both Jackie and Pete grumbled and groaned, forking over five quid a head.
"What's all this then?" Rose wondered as she sat beside the Master at the table.
"It was a bet," Pete explained. "I said it'd take you at least six months, Jacks said it'd be never, and Mickey said it'd be under six. He wins. No wonder the pair of you came in so late. Don't tell me any more than that."
"I still don't get it. What'd take me under six months?" she inquired, causing Mickey to chuckle.
"C'mon Rose. This is you we're talking about. You can't resist a Time Lord. It's just not possible. I knew you'd get together. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't run off with him the first time you met."
Rose scowled and threw a piece of bread in his direction. The Master grinned and pointedly put one arm around her. His lips went to her cheek. "That's right. We're together. It's a new era. A new reign. We're unstoppable."
"That's all well and good, but I don't like it one bit…" Jackie snapped with a softer look to Rose. "Rose, if you really are sure about it, I will support you. But."
"Don't start. Just don't," Rose warned, knowing that her mother would say something about the Doctor. Jackie still didn't trust the Master, and for good reason.
After an awkward breakfast, they left for Torchwood. The Master finished work even faster than usual. He sent his crew home, including Mickey, and happily ran to Rose. He pulled her into his arms and snogged half her face off. Giddily, he went to the console. Everything was finally ready. They could take the stage as the new rulers of Earth. He couldn't wait to give it to her.
"Rosie, I have a secret I'd like to share."
"All right. Share away."
He pulled up his hidden commands, all in Gallifreyan. With the touch of a screen, he opened communications with a distant race known as the Hotspurlians. They looked like puddles of clay, but they were some of the fiercest warriors in the parallel universe. Rose saw the feed and went to the Master's side with a curious smile.
"These your mates?" she wondered, laughing softly.
"They are! They're more than that. Allies, Rosie. Our good friends. Hotspurlians. I have a translator, so you should be able to understand them. That there is Halmono. Hello, Hal, my pal! How are you?"
"Fine. Is everything in order?"
"Oh, most certainly it is. This is the woman I told you about. Say hello."
Rose waved shyly. "Hello."
"The Bad Wolf herself. A pleasure. Then, she is ready? She will be at your side as discussed?" Hal wondered.
He turned to her with a charming smile, extending his hand. "Your last chance to run away."
Cautiously, she stepped forward and put her arms around him. "If I run, it'll be towards the trouble."
"That's my girl! You heard it first, Hal. The plan begins right now. Move in. We'll be waiting."
Hal's clay-like body rippled in confirmation. "Yes, Master. We will be there shortly. I look forward to meeting you in person."
"Bye bye!" the Master wiggled his fingers cheerfully.
Once the communication ended, he laughed and dipped Rose dramatically. She smirked at his happiness, though she was thinking about what it could mean. Why was he so happy? Why were these aliens apparently coming to meet them?
"To our ship, Rose Tyler. We don't have much time. They are very fast travelers. C'mon. Move it, earth girl. No time to smell the roses. See what I did there? Roses? I am clever. So incredibly clever. I should remember that one."
They climbed into a tiny ship the Master fixed a few weeks back. The others were still using it to learn a new language. Rose wasn't happy that they were stealing it, but she was happy to go for a spin. In a quick movement, they left through a hangar and shot into the atmosphere. Then, they orbited the Earth. She went to a window with a thoughtful expression.
"Exactly why are we meeting your mates? Is it for tea and biscuits or something more than that?"
"Oh, something much more. Just wait. It's a surprise for you…" he winked as he went to adjust her glass broach. "I'm giving it all to you, my sweet Bad Wolf. The best gift in the universe."
Before she could ask, the ship dramatically shifted. He caught her with a loud laugh. The hatch opened and the steps descended. He took her by the hand and led her upstairs. She discovered that they were in a much larger ship and surrounded by the Hotspurlians. Tugging on his sleeve, she whispered, "How fast does this ship go?"
"Let's just stay that they could take us three galaxies away before you could blink an eye. Halmono! At last!" he shouted as he gave the blob a little bow.
Hal rippled in return. "Master, we are pleased to meet you. Shall we begin?"
"Oh yes! I've waited long enough!"
Rose was utterly confused as the Master went to the control panel. His fingers flew across the keys at a dizzying rate. She stood behind him and glanced at the screen. The Torchwood symbol was the only thing she could read. He finished and dragged her to another console where a big button was flashing.
"We are going to address the people of Earth. I command the satellites. Actually, I command everything. We will be on every single screen. Even mobiles. This is it. This is the greatest moment! Can't you feel that in the air? What is that? Victory. No, not that. Complete domination. No, no. Even better. Power! Ha!"
She frowned. "You aren't making sense."
"Aren't I? You are about to get everything you have ever wanted, Rosie. This world is ours. Ah, there they are…" he grinned, tapping his fingers to the drums. "One two three four. They are raging!"
"You're starting to scare me."
"Finally! It's about time. You should fear me. But, I won't hurt you. Not you. You're different. I promise that you will be safe. You are my empress. This entire planet is our schoolyard! We'll put monuments of us in every corner of the world. Forget currency and occupation! We will have the life we want handed to us on a plate! This is the start of a new era. The start of my war. My war on humanity. The Hotspurlians would like to help us. To join our modest world."
Rose stepped away from him with wide eyes. "Don't."
"Don't? Don't? That's what you say to the gift I am trying to give you?"
"There are billions of innocent people. Free people. They should stay that way."
"Why? Why should you care about them? You don't even know them."
She laughed mirthlessly. "That doesn't matter. A life is a life."
"Oh, you traveled with the Doctor for far too long. Their lives are not important. What is important is your life. Our life. It's great fun to be at the top. I've done it before. This isn't my first time. You'll get used to the idea. Just wait until you see what it feels like. Supremacy is inebriating. When you push the button and watch a city crumble, it is the most wonderful feeling. I want you to have it. The power. It's yours, Rosie. It's yours for the taking."
"Do you know me at all?" she asked quietly. "I'm not that kind of person."
"You are! You are so powerful. The entire Time Vortex was in your brain. You defeated the Daleks singlehandedly. It's still in you. I saw it. The block was so powerful it stopped even me. Rose, I love you. I actually love you and I'm not throwing up when I admit it! Can't you let me do this one thing for you?"
Halmono stopped them with a thunderous voice. "Do it now, Master! We grow tired!"
"Quite right. Let's broadcast. Don't be stodgy, my darling. Give the camera a good smile."
He wrapped his arms around her and prepared to tell the world to bow to their new Master.