It was the prerogative of the President to have their office decorated to whatever scheme they chose. When the Doctor held that office, he had it covered in lead sheets and gears in order to disrupt the telepathic connection between him and the forces invading Gallifrey, eventually defeating them. But Romana's choice of interior was much less mechanical. Along her walls hung several paintings from several galactic dynasties; some in two dimensions, some in three and four. Taking pride of place was the Mona Lisa, in plain view from her computerised desk. "Do you remember that Doctor?" "Yes, from our misadventure with Scaroth in Paris." "Indeed. It's a fake, of course." "So it still has the writing on the back?" "I believe you signed this one." "Quite possibly; that incarnation was always rather theatrical. Why do you have all these in here, anyway?" "Well, the Braxtiel gallery needed a safeplace for some of their grander artworks and I was all too happy to oblige. And furthermore, they give me hope. I need to know that a universe capable of a war like this is also capable of great beauty and hope." She sat back in her chair, which was verging on a throne in stature and make a tent with her fingers. Back to business. "How did you get into the Cabinet, when we've sealed all temporal pathways?" "I thought we were going to cover that in 'any other business'" "I'm running a campaign here, Doctor and if you know a way into the Cabinet then who's to say the daleks can't?" "I doubt they'll ever find a dalek as clever as me. And don't worry. I've sealed up the chronon back-passage so no-one can get in. Except me of course" Romana sighed. "Of course." "Now let's waste no more time on small talk. You were giving me a mission." "Yes, why am I giving you a mission? Why aren't you just swanning around the universe like usual?" "Because war is chaos and the only way to make sense of it is with information, which the time lords have and I need. But I can't trust anyone on this damned backstabbing planet except you. So do with me what you will. I am your warrior." "A warrior now? Not a Doctor?" "Still the Doctor; this universe needs saving and I'm the one to do it." "Is that so? In which case, your first mission is to recapture an outerworld neutral observatory from unknown forces." "Unknown forces, eh? I came to you for information." "And the observatory is how we'll collect it. It's one of the major feeds into the matrix. And if I recall correctly, isn't jumping into adventures without foresight how you operate?" He allowed himself a smile. It was the last one he'd have for a while.