Prologue
Inside the Skaro caves, Romanadvoratrelundar and the Doctor faced each other. Carolyn, Davros, and two Daleks witnessed the confrontation… Romanadvoratrelundar was not pleased to see anyone from Gallifrey. With building conflict- "What are you doing on Skaro?"
"That was to be my question for you, old friend."
"It is no concern of Gallifrey's."
"On the contrary, Gallifrey is most concerned. You are in a position to compromise the security of the Time Lords…"
"You may assure your superiors that I am on a personal mission, of peace, and will advise them when appropriate."
"That will not be satisfactory."
"You cannot remain, Doctor."
"And I cannot return without a full explanation. Ambassador, with the greatest respect for all you've achieved on behalf of the Time Lords, this sort of cowboy diplomacy is not easily tolerated any more…"
"'Cowboy diplomacy'…?"
"If you wish to undertake a mission with potential repercussions to the Time Lords, it is appropriate to discuss it with the Time Lords. I am here as their representative. You will have to discuss it with me."
Romanadvoratrelundar frowned with frustration, moved away from the Doctor… A thoughtful beat. "This is precisely what I wanted to avoid."
A beat. The Doctor moved away from the confrontation… "I also have the responsibility of bearing some unhappy news."
Romanadvoratrelundar turned back… "Lenarddvoratrelundar is dead."
The Doctor acknowledged…
After a very long beat… in a softer voice… "Walk with me, Doctor."
The Doctor exchanged a brief glance with Carolyn telling her to stay behind… followed Romanadvoratrelundar out of the chamber…
The Doctor and Romanadvoratrelundar walked silently for a beat…
"I know of your telepathic connection with my father… that enabled him to complete his last mission."
"It was an honour. He was a great man."
"He was a great representative of the Gallifreyan people and of the Time Lords."
And that was meant as a qualifier, not a compliment…
"I was with him before coming here. He expressed pride in you, his love…"
"Emotional disarray is a symptom of the illness from which he suffered."
"No, the feelings were in his heart, Romana. He shared them with me. I know."
Romanadvoratrelundar looked at the Doctor a moment… uncomfortable with the emotional context of this, she moved into business. "Lenarddvoratrelundar would no more approve of my coming to Skaro than you do, Doctor." She took a dramatic beat to organize her thoughts. "For some time, I been aware of a growing movement here… of Daleks who seek to learn the ideals of the Gallifreyan philosophy. They have been declared enemies of the state. But there are a few in the Dalek hierarchy like Davros who are sympathetic. He asked me to come now because he believes it may be time to take the first step toward unification."
The Doctor reacted to this extraordinary revelation… "Unification… after so many fundamental differences that have evolved between our peoples…"
"It would seem unlikely to succeed," agreed Romanadvoratrelundar. "But I cannot ignore the potential rewards that a union between our worlds would bring."
"What is this 'first step' that Davros suggests…?"
"There is a new Dalek Inquisitor General of the Dalek Council. It is new and idealistic. It has promised many reforms. Davros believes it be receptive to discussing unification."
The Doctor took a moment to digest it all. "Why would you not bring something this important to the attention of our own people?"
Romanadvoratrelundar took a beat to consider her response, it raised unhappy memories. "A personal decision, Doctor. Perhaps you are aware that I played a small role in the first overture to peace with the Ice Warriors…"
"No, Romana. The last I heard or saw of you was when I left you in E-Space. How did you get back?"
"Ah.. I see.. You will find out," She said, cripticly. The Doctor realized what she was referring to was still in his personal future.
"Quite simply, I am unwilling to risk anyone's life but my own on this occasion. I would ask you to respect my wishes and leave."
The Doctor considered this a moment. "Romana, your logic escapes me. If I didn't know better, I would say your judgement had been influenced by emotion."
"You speak as my father would if he were here, Doctor…"
"I speak as a Time Lord and I cannot ignore the risks to you…"
"I was involved with… 'cowboy diplomacy', as you describe it, Doctor, for a long time."
"Nevertheless, I am not prepared to leave until your affairs are completed."
"You are as stubborn as you were when I travelled with you."
"Then, I am glad I haven't changed too much."
Romanadvoratrelundar reluctantly acknowledged and accepted the Doctor's continued presence with a nod.