I've decided to make the last couple of chapters more Master centric than Doctor - he's had his turn, now it's the Master's, besides I think that the Master's perspective on President Winters makes for fun reading.

Onwards and upwards !

Oh, many are wondering who Mrs Saxon is, thanks to Marcus S. Lazarus for inspiring the story this far.

The Paradoxes and the Pawns.

The Master watched calmly as Air force One landed at the airport, a special flight path had been laid on for the man and everything. Not that the Master cared very much, he knew that it was all for show. That was the trouble with Winters, he always needed to be the centre of attention. Politicians needed to be….large in terms of egos and their inability to realise that everything ran differently than their little brains could comprehend.

Politics made the Master ill, but whenever he met a politician he found that he needed to count to 1,300 in his head to stop himself from lashing out. It wouldn't be a good thing to his plans if he killed someone, not before he made his move. This plan was too delicate, too many things hinged on this meeting's success.

The Master and his wife, plus the bodyguards who were clustered around the couple in a circle, watched as the President got in a car - another show, the Master could see that the plane was within easy walking distance. Why the fool needed to show off the Master didn't know. The Master knew that he was more than egotistic and vain, but he honestly felt he had the right to be, these primitives needed to follow him. Not the other way round. Oh, well, he conceded. Soon….

There were times the Master wished that the TARDIS had landed him in America, but unfortunately the navigational system had been locked, so wherever the TARDIS had landed originally before heading for Malcassaro, it would land again.

Even though his rise to power had been fairly effortless, there were times the Master wished it had been in America, stage an election through hypnosis, win by landslide majority, making it far easier to rule the Earth. The only problem being coping with the mindlessness of the American government. In a sense, the Master preferred Britain, at least here they knew how to make a lovely cuppa. This would have to do.

As Winters walked over to them, his face set in stone, the Master snapped off a mock salute. To an outside observer, it was proof that the Master had no respect for the President of the US. If only they knew….

" Mr President, sir," the Master said grinning, whilst hiding his disappointment. He knew that Winters wouldn't be able to tell what was sarcasm if it walked up to him naked and slapped him in the face. He'd honestly wished that Winters would come back with a witty retort, the Master was a genius when it came to witticism, he'd honestly would've loved to play such a game with such a moron, show the pompous American that he wasn't as big and mighty and he thought he was, give him a kick in his complacency.

It wasn't meant to be.

" Mr Saxon, the British army will stand down. From now on, UNIT's in charge of this operation," Winters said in a brisk no nonsense tone.

" You make it sound like an invasion," The Master said jokingly. He knew that if Winters knew the truth he wouldn't be within 4 millimetres of the Toclafane when they arrived. Humans had an expression, the best place to hide something was within plain sight. It was one of the few sayings they had that the Master completely approved of.

The Master had no problem with using that saying against humanity, that was why he'd announced the Toclafane to the world.

He'd also known that Winters would try and take over, it had been inevitable. He'd planned for that, as a matter of fact. Winters loved being on show, just like others of his worthless kind. As Harold Saxon, the Master had limited his exposure to the press, some politicians didn't seem to realise that the press and the media wanted to dig up enough dirt on their targets to fill in newspaper stories.

Not Harold Saxon, he'd carefully designed his dealings with the press to be as timed as possible, all down to schedule. The Archangel network enabled this, making people think he was an open book.

" The first contact policy was decided by the security council in 1968 and you've gone and ignored it." Winters replied, almost accusingly, forcing the Master to come back to reality. The Master quirked an eyebrow at the man's accusing statement, knowing there was more to the man's anger than a simple piece of toilet paper.

The Master knew that the policy had nothing to do with the outrage he sensed from the man. It was because he wasn't actually going to open diplomatic relations, as he thought it would be. The Master had read the policy, seeing ways of bringing Winter's so called " wrath " on him. It was his revenge for the way Winters treated him in the past. He'd have preferred ripping the mans genitals out along with his vocal chords, dressing him as a court jester, but decided against it.

Just kill the man. Still it would've been hilarious, for him at least. He didn't think even his wife would've approved.

The Master shrugged, almost insolently; he honestly had no respect for the man and couldn't care less about being insolent, the Master knew that nothing he said would look good, neither did he want it too. Winters had made his decision, as the Master had planned and manipulated. He'd wanted Winters to take over, what better way of taking control if you murder the most powerful man on the planet ?

" Well, you know what it's like, new job, all that paperwork," deciding to be annoying the Master carried on, trying to make it clear to Winters he wasn't taking this seriously, that was an essential part of his plan.

" I think its down the back of the settee. I did have a quick look, " he added earnestly, making himself sound like a delinquent child, " I found a pen….a sweet….a bus ticket and er….oh, have you met the wife ?" he gestured almost as an after thought.

His wife stepped forward, a winning smile on her face. The Master looked towards Winters, trying to gauge his reaction. The chauvinist hadn't even smiled and shaken her hand. Most politicians would, but the President of the United States couldn't see any reporters. But it would've been more polite.

" Mr Saxon," Winters started, dismissing Mrs Saxon, his tone becoming more and more angry, " I dunno what your game is, but there are provision at the UN to have you removed from office unless you are very, very careful. Is that understood ?"

Not for the first time, the Master was delighted by this new incarnation, he'd been worried about it for a while, it seemed too exuberant compared to his past lives, but it had an almost natural immunity to insolence from Humans. Previous Masters would've attacked Winters by now. Ever since the incarnation which had encountered the third Doctor, the Master had an anger in him which was hard to contain. This incarnation was more versatile, he was able to control his temper with humour.

The Master didn't care about the UN, he already had agents and plans in place to torture and execute them in the next few days. The world would be leaderless and then his agents would take control, further solidifying his hold on the Earth.

The Master mimed zipping his lips, knowing and hoping that it would further antagonise the posturing primate.

Winter's outrage was starting to boil, " Are you taking this seriously ?"

The Master nodded taking the whole thing very seriously. This was part of the plan, to make himself look as bad as possible until the last possible second.

Winters seemed satisfied enough, " To business," he continued, hoping that " Saxon " wouldn't make an ass out of himself as he had already.

" We've accessed your files on these Toclafane. ( " only 'cos I let you," the Master thought contemptuously at the simpleton. )But first contact cannot take place on any sovereign soil. ( I know that, idiot. The Master thought irritably, wishing the president of the united states of America wasn't someone who loved stating the obvious ) To that purpose, the aircraft carrier Valiant is en route. The rendezvous will take place there at 8.00."

Again, because I manipulated you, stupid ape, the Master thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. It was one reason he'd designed the Valiant in the first place. The Valiant would make an excellent base of operations. A stationary base would be vulnerable to attacks from any resistance.

He made muffled noises, which made it sound like he was asking a question.

Winters closed his eyes briefly, " You're trying my patience, sir." he said through gritted teeth.

The Master mimed unzipping his lips, " So America is completely in charge ?" He asked simply.

Winters taking control was a major part of his plan, it would be highly un dramatic if he'd taken the reins and ordered the Toclafane to begin their work. This way, he could take care of Winters, the world and the Doctor at the same time, saving resources and effort.

The anger and impatience in Winter's voice made that very clear, even more than his statement, " Since Britain elected an ass, yes."

The president turned away, trying to get away from the idiot before saying, " I'll see you on board the Valiant."

The Master, again, decided to make Winter's life a misery, " It still will be televised, wont it ? I promised and the whole world is watching."

Winters shot back angrily, " Since it's too late to pull out, the world will be watching." he paused dramatically, not knowing that the Master knew exactly what was coming.

" Me."

Now, the president left, the Master and his entourage watching his departure. The Master was silent, running that last part through his mind, " since it's too late to pull out," the Master thought about that.

Humanity had a problem, they were happy enough to believe in things they couldn't see, but if it was staring them in the face they would just claim they couldn't see it.

Winters fell in that category, he was so closed minded it was pathetic.

He leaned in close to whisper to his wife, " The last president of America."

On the other side of the airfield, the Doctor, Romana, Martha and Jack were watching the exchange. Romana watched as the Master seemed to make a fool of himself. Both Time lords knew that it was all an act.

He's more jocular in this new incarnation, she thought to herself. Even though Romana had never met him, she knew that the Master had been self contained, isolated, controlled, this version seemed very….open. Frighteningly, he seemed very much like the Doctor himself. She could see the back of the Master's wife, and she felt frustration that definitely didn't come from her. Romana turned to face the Doctor; his face was one of intense concentration and frustration.

The Doctor was once again wondering what the Master's wife's part in this scheme was. Why couldn't they see her face ? Why did the Master prevent people from even catching a glimpse of her ? What role did she play in the Master's plan , if any ?

Then again there was her hair, it may look different, but he was certain he'd seen something like it before. When ? Why did it come back to haunt him ?

He was shaken by his thoughts when he saw the Master's new eyes - brown, like his, the Doctor noted; the similarities between their respective incarnations seemed to be mounting, and that frightened him. The Master's entourage had left, including the mysterious Mrs Saxon.

For a minute, both Time lords stared at one another. Romana swallowed gently, almost afraid that the movement would alert the Master, if he didn't already know they were there. Their human friends were unaware of the simple fact that the perception filters were primitive and crude. Ordinary perception filters would probably fool even a Time lord with the same mental capacity of the Master's calibre, whether or not these crude lash ups would work just as well was another question.

Romana looked gently at her friend; she felt like an animal in the headlights of a hunter's car, afraid to move, aware that the next minute could mean life or death. She saw him looking at the Master, his eyes and face calm and controlled. The Master and the Doctor were staring at each other, neither moving, only the rise and fall of his chest showed the Doctor to be alive and breathing.

He knows we're here, Romana thought, a chill running down her spine. It was logical and impossible to deny, the Master knew they were there.

But why were they not being rounded up by the Master's guards ? Why was the Master playing with them ?

The only answer Romana had was that for now the Master was leaving them alone, waiting for them to come to him. It was a game of cat and mouse.

Finally, almost as though he'd gotten bored of the staring competition, the Master broke eye contact and walked away. He had just reached the land rover when a police van came, sirens blaring and stopped. The Master's whole countenance changed to manic as he rushed over to Mr Jones, who like his wife and daughter, were in handcuffs. They couldn't hear what was being said, but they knew the Master was taunting them.

" Oh, my god," Martha said, her face and voice filled with horror and rage.

The Doctor took hold of Martha, the young human woman seemed to be on the verge of rushing over to them.

" Don't move." he said calmly, knowing as well as Romana that Martha would get herself arrested and that would give the Master the excuse he needed to capture them. They didn't know enough of the Master's plan and they needed all the answers to defeat him. They couldn't do that if Martha got them all captured.

Martha protested weakly, " But…"

" Don't !"

Martha's whisper said more about her fury than any shout, " I'm gonna kill him."

Jack was also angry, " What say I use this perception filter to walk up behind him and break his neck ?"

Romana closed her eyes, that wouldn't accomplish anything, except another regeneration. The new Master would be easy to incapacitate but she knew that the Doctor would never agree with that. The new Master may be more brutal than the old one.

The Doctor turned his head to face Jack, " Now that sounds like Torchwood."

Again, the contempt for an organisation that Romana knew nothing about. She recalled the overwhelming hatred the Doctor had for this Torchwood, whatever they'd done it was colossal. She recalled Tryst and Dimmond, the two Vraxoin smugglers, how Tryst had betrayed the Doctor's scientific nature by allowing for countless deaths due to drug addiction. Romana remembered the quiet, dangerous, contemptuous manner in which the Doctor dismissed him.

Did the same apply to Torchwood ?

What had they done to deserve such disgust ?

Romana didn't know, besides they had better and more important things to worry about. Like the Master, a Time lord she hadn't wanted in the Time war in the first place.

Jack shrugged, nonplussed, " Still a good plan."

" He's a Time lord. Which makes him our responsibility." Romana said quietly. Of all the people on the Earth, she knew that she and the Doctor were the only ones with the power to oppose the Master's plans. She was, of course, aware of the Doctor's companions in the past who'd met the Master and fought him, but they knew different versions of the man. This one was altogether different.

" We're not here to kill him. We're here to save him." The Doctor finished icily, his vocal tone making it clear that his mind was made up and nothing would change it.

Jack started working on his vortex manipulator, oh not again, Romana thought wearily, " Aircraft carrier Valiant, that's a UNIT ship, at 58.2 North, 10.02 East."

" How do we get on board ?" Martha asked and Romana had to swallow to save her breath, knowing that what was to come would be unpleasant for her insides.

The Doctor asked Jack pointedly, " Does that thing work as a teleport ?"

Romana's stomach lurched.

" Since you revamped it, yeah." Jack replied, tapping the manipulator controls one last time. " Co-ordinates set."

They reappeared inside a corridor, the faint motion told them it was a ship. They were sprawled all over the place. They groaned, hissed and gasped in pain as their bodies grew accustomed to their new location. Romana closed her eyes and thought, if I never see or use that thing again, it'll be too soon.

Martha gasped, " Oh, that thing is rough !"

She wasn't exaggerating either, as Romana had to snap a couple of her bones back in place, wincing as she did.

" I've had worse nights." Jack replied through gritted teeth, also snapping bones back into their proper places.

The Doctor had recovered, somewhat, and wandered over to the port window and looked out.

" Welcome to the Valiant," Jack drawled. Martha Came over to the Doctor, " It's dawn." as she looked out she had to ask one of the most stupidest things Romana had ever heard.

" Hold on, I thought this was a ship, where's the sea ?"

Romana rolled her eyes, humans were so insular it was pathetic. Jack explained, " A ship for the 21st century. Protecting the skies of planet Earth."

Through the window they saw runways, jet engines and helipads. It reminded Romana of a television program that the Doctor had copies of in the TARDIS. The Doctor recognised it as well, " Captain Scarlet." he grinned happily at the design of the ship.

Romana rolled her eyes again. Boys, she thought despairingly.

As they jogged through the corridors, Romana could tell this was a human ship without even guessing. It was a mess, surely the Human race had learnt that even though it can be efficient doesn't automatically mean that it should look like it came from a factory.

Suddenly the Doctor stopped, his head cocked. Romana stared at him quizzically, wondering why he was bothered with the ship now of all times. Looking closer, she realised that he wasn't interested in the Valiant at all. Something else had snatched his attention.

Jack couldn't believe this, " We've got no time for sight seeing !"

The Doctor was distracted, then Romana knew why, a voice, a telepathic whisper, she tried to hear it better and tuned her senses.

" No, wait, shh, shh." The Doctor urged, trying to concentrate as well.

" Can't you hear it ?" He asked them after a moment.

Jack hissed impatiently, they didn't have time for this. " Hear what ?"

Romana smiled as well, recognising the voice now. The TARDIS. She was onboard.

Martha pushed past them, " Doctor, my family's on board." her tone was resolved, she was going to look for them with or without the Doctor's help.

" Brilliant !" The Doctor grinned. He turned and shouted, " This way !" running down a step ladder.

They didn't jog far, the Doctor flew ahead, coat flying behind him. They came to a pair of double doors, the Doctor almost ripped them off their hinges.

The TARDIS's box shape was stacked between two piles of cardboard boxes.

" Oh, at last!" The Doctor cried happily.

" Fantastic !" Romana cheered.

" Oh, yes !" Martha followed suit.

Jack seemed more suspicious, " What's it doing on the Valiant ?"

As soon as the key in the lock was turned, their happiness died away. The TARDIS interior, usually light and warm, was contrast; dark, oppressive and red. The console was enclosed in a metal cage with cables and pipes leading away from it and inside the structure of the cage. The cloister bell was sounding.

" What the hell's he done ?" Jack shouted angrily.

The Doctor was just as angry, if not more so. This was his TARDIS. His ! Yet the Master had mutilated her. He couldn't believe that even the Master would do something like this.

" Don't touch it !" he yelled. He needn't have worried, no one was stupid enough to touch anything. " I'm not going to !" Jack replied, his voice hollow.

Martha was the only one that didn't understand, but she was smart enough to know that this wasn't good, " What's he done though ? It sounds like it's…sick

Romana couldn't believe that in all the time that Martha had travelled with the Doctor that she couldn't seem to accept that life came in different forms, the TARDIS was one of those forms. But now wasn't the time.

The Doctor was walking around the area the console was standing, muttering angrily to himself, " It can't be." Romana also couldn't believe this, couldn't believe that even the Master wouldn't go so far.

" No, no, no, no, no, no, it can't be."

Martha still didn't understand, " Doctor, what is it ?" it was obvious this was bad but she didn't realise how bad.

The Doctor's voice was low, dangerous, " He's cannibalised the TARDIS." he noted the pipes and conduits which seemed to tap into the floor, going deeper and deeper into the heart of the TARDIS.

Jack's voice was hesitant, almost as though he was wishing this wasn't reality. Romana knew how he felt. " Is this what I think it is ?" he asked

The Doctor didn't want to answer, but he did anyway, " It's a paradox machine." He said, his voice filled with horror and rage of this act of mutilation.

Romana walked around the console cage, trying vainly to see the controls. She knew that they couldn't play with the system to disable the machine. Paradox machines, particularly those built into a TARDIS, were unstable and any tinkering would and could result in the destruction of a solar system. No, she wanted to see more of it, trying to determine what it was for. Odd, she frowned, some of this stuff shouldn't even be added to a paradox machine, she thought staring at one or two of the components of the abomination.

She peered through the gaps of the field cage, trying to see the scanner screen. She could see it clearly, but the steam rising from the machine made her feel like she was close to a steam engine.

The Doctor had found a gauge built into the cage, tapping it, " As soon as this hits red, it activates," grabbing Jack's wrist so he could see the time agents wristwatch, " At this speed, it'll trigger at two minutes past eight."

Jack filled in the pieces of the jigsaw that they already had, the news had said nothing else, " First contact's at eight. Two minutes later…" he trailed off.

Romana came over to the Doctor, " I tried to see the scanner screen. There was a co-ordinate sequence, but I couldn't see past the steam."

The Doctor nodded, lost in thought. Romana decided to report what she'd seen, " Doctor, I saw one or two components added on which looked like they're not supposed to be there."

The Doctor looked up, " What do you mean ?"

" See for yourself,"

After looking through the cage at the machinery Romana had described, the Doctor frowned, wondering what his old enemy was up to this time.

" By the looks of it, these have been in use for a while. I'd say," Romana screwed up her face as she estimated, " 6 months, maybe more."

The Doctor nodded, " Makes you wonder what else the Master's up to, doesn't it ?" he stared at Romana pointedly. The Doctor rushed back to the gauge which measured the amount of artron energy from the TARDIS. He gazed at it, noting the needle was rising even more, knowing that there was nothing he could do. It galled him, this ship, this TARDIS had always been there for him, she'd been there for all his previous lives, and yet there was nothing he do to help her.

Romana rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, she knew what this TARDIS meant to him, it was more than a mundane and functional item. It was his home. She knew how he felt, she felt the same.

Martha was still lost, a medical problem and she could understand, a temporal problem and she was lost, " What's it for ? What does a paradox machine do ?"

The three other time travellers in the room didn't answer, there were so many uses for primitive paradox machines that it was hard to tell what this one would do. With the power of the time vortex, this machine was capable to tearing time and space apart. Romana looked at it fearfully, knowing that in a short time, the last pieces of the puzzle would slot neatly into place.

Jack looked down at the Doctor, " More importantly, can you stop it ?" he implored the Doctor.

The Doctor was looking at the machine, a hand on his face. He was trying to think of a way to neutralise the machine without damaging the planets in the solar system. All his ideas came back with a resounding no.

He verbalised his answer with his thoughts, " Not till I know what it's doing ?" looking up at the rest of the cage he said grimly, " Touch the wrong bit, blow up the solar system."

Martha crouched down beside him, " Then we've gotta get to the Master !"

Jack agreed, " Yeah, how we gonna stop him ?"

The Doctor said offhandishly, " Oh, I've got a way."

Looking between his human companions, he asked almost puzzled, " Sorry, didn't I mention it ?"

The Doctor was tuning out President Winter's speech, these events weren't supposed to be happening anyway so there wasn't anything of real interest. Besides, the man exuded pomposity in the way he spoke.

He'd tuned out as the president was saying, " …..he has wondered what mysteries they hold." the Doctor stopped listening by that point. What was the use of looking if everything was going to be handed over on a plate ? It wouldn't really happen, not in a real first contact situation. He recalled Star Trek Enterprise, the way the Vulcans had " held back " humanity. He recalled the arrogance of the human characters, their belief that they were ready. The Doctor knew that the Vulcans were making sure that their human charges were trying to be safe, instead they were ungrateful. Like children.

The Vulcans had known, probably, that Humanity would need time to assimilate everything they were being taught, the Doctor knew that in the real world that sort of action would occur, if Humanity encountered a benign species. Considering their alliance with the Master, it was doubtful that the Toclafane were benign. Again, the Doctor was concerned about the aliens the Master had made contact with, but it only lasted for a minute. He had bigger fish to fry for the moment.

The Doctor stared unblinkingly at the Master, he noted the way he seemed….alert. That worried him, it meant that the perception filter wasn't doing its job on the Master's mind. He also noted the way that even though she was in clear sight, Mrs Saxon's face couldn't be seen !

It was as if she were wearing a perception filter, not the sort of thing you'd expect a woman in this day and age to wear, it certainly seemed more advanced than the one the Doctor and his friends were using.

Jack whispered to the Doctor, his own gaze focused on the Master and his wife, " This plan, you gonna tell us ?"

The Doctor held up his perception key, " If I can get this around the Master's neck, cancel out his perception, they'll see him for real."

He looked around the room, knowing as soon as he did that he would be noticed, " It's just hard to go unnoticed when everyone is on red alert." he whispered to Jack, " If they stop me, you've got a key."

Jack nodded professionally, almost as though he considered the Doctor a military officer, " Yes, sir."

Martha's voice was low with hatred, the Doctor only hoped she wouldn't do something, anything, stupid. " I'll get him."

Nodding to Romana, the Doctor and she walked slowly over to where the Master was sitting, he seemed relaxed and confident. It took a while for the two Time lords to edge their way closer to the Master, if they moved too fast they'd be noticed and hell would break loose.

Winter's speech seemed to finish, about time too, the Doctor thought, his disregard for the man soaring. " And I ask you now, I ask of the human race, to join with me in welcoming our new friends." he stepped back slowly, gesturing, " I give you the Toclafane."

They appeared, to the stunned awe of the people on the flight deck, their dark silver bodies glinting in the light, four of them, answering the question of their real appearance. They were like basketballs really, dark silver, with glinting lights. They had a sort of retro sort of style.

Winter's addressed the floating spheres, any fear he had was gone, replaced by a diplomatically correct stance, " My name is Arthur Coleman Winters, President elect of the United States of America, and designated representative of the United Nations."

" I welcome you to the planet Earth and it's associated moon."

Winter's address may have been polite and diplomatic, but if anything the Toclafane seemed suspicious. Both the Doctor and Romana could hear, in the backs of their minds where the telepathic connection to their people, came alive with the mounting sound of laughter. They knew it was coming from the Master, for the Master to be amused by something like this as though it was a massive joke wasn't a good sign.

" You're not the Master." One of the spheres said, it's masculine tone suspicious.

" We like the Mr. Master." Another sphere said, this one female. So they had their own genders, the Doctor thought, curious….

The next sphere was downright rude and petulant, making everyone, including the unfortunate Winters, highly nervous.

" We don't like you."

Winter's was floundering, making the Doctor feel sorry for him even if he did feel disdain for the man as a person.

" I can be master if you so wish." Winters responded hesitantly, as the Doctor and Romana edged closer to their fellow Time lord. Just a few more seconds…

As a sphere buzzed across the platform Winters was standing on like a bee, the president seemed to become more confident, even if he did come off as foolish.

" I will accept mastery over you if that is God's will."

The Toclafane seemed to hold their own conversation, their words and disdain for the man made clear.

" Man is stupid," one said, just as the two Time lords edged closer to their smirking fellow.

Another seemed almost sad, almost like a child being denied an ice cream, " Master is our friend."

The female one spoke, sounding like she was pouting, " Where's my Master, pretty please ?"

Romana and the Doctor had gotten much closer by this point, just as the Master sprang out of his seat, grinning.

" Oh, all right, then. It's me !" To the stunned crowd, he crowed, " Ta - da ! Sorry ! Sorry, I have this effect, people just get obsessed."

The Master carried on, ignoring the stupefied looks on the Humans in the room, " Is it the smile, is it the aftershave, is it the capacity to laugh at myself ?"

The Doctor closed his eyes, wishing that the incarnation who'd frequently crossed paths with his third incarnation was still alive. That one seemed to have more dignity than this new Master did. This one….seemed like him, and the Doctor didn't like it one little bit.

The Master continued seemingly making a fool out of himself, but the Doctor knew him well enough to know that it wouldn't last.

" I don't know ! It's crazy !" he turned when Winter's butted in.

" Saxon, what are you talking about ?"

That question was what the Master had been waiting for, for 18 months. Turning around, his joviality fading, everyone now saw Harold Saxon for what he really was. They now saw him for the evil monster he'd been for centuries. The Master was now exuding the authority he'd exhibited for so long it was now second nature.

Folding his arms, the Master sneered at Winters, " I'm taking control, Uncle Sam. Starting with you." To the nearest Toclafane, he ordered almost casually, " Kill him !"

Blades appeared from the Toclafane as it shot an energy bolt at Winters. The President's body burst into flaming ashes.

Rushing forward, the Master took control in the chaos, climbing the stairs to the same upper platform which Winters had stood on before he was killed, " Nobody move." he ordered harshly. Turning to address the cameras, the Master smirked, " Now then ! Peoples of the Earth, please attend carefully."

Enough was enough, the other two Time lords in the room thought at the same time as they rushed forward, breaking the spell of the perception filters, desperate to reach their enemy.

The Master had been ready for this, " Stop them !"

As four guards grabbed them, forcing them to their knees, their TARDIS keys removed, the Doctor and Romana were soon held helpless.

The Master seemed delighted, " We meet at last, Doctor." Turning to Romana, " Lady Romana, this is an unexpected honour. I have wanted to meet you for so long." Romana glared at him, eyes narrowed and full Time lady persona turned to full power, ready to strike down any Time lord's inflated ego.

It didn't work on the Master.

" Stop this ! Stop this now !" The Doctor cried, struggling to escape.

Contempt and indifference filled the Master's voice now, " As if a perception filter is gonna work on me."

A gunshot rang throughout the room, hitting Jack in the chest, his perception filter ignored, Martha was unable to move, stunned and horrified. Standing up in the room, the identity of the killer was obvious; the mysterious Mrs Saxon.

The Master smirked, " Take it off, my dear."

The mysterious black haired took off a necklace, similar in concept to the perception filter the Doctor had devised in order to fight the Master. As soon as she took it off, the Doctor's eyes widened in horror. Romana was also staring at horror at the woman.

It wasn't possible. She can't be here, she just can't…That was the only thought running through both of their minds. It couldn't be, but they couldn't ignore the evidence with their own eyes.

She may have black hair, dyed, her eyes were more colder than they'd been since the last time she and the Doctor had met last.

But it was true. It was happening. She was so different, with her new appearance, her coldness and new outfit making her look a whole new person.

It was Rose Tyler. Or was it Saxon ?

A/N I hope you enjoyed this, to Marcus S. Lazarus, thanks for allowing me to borrow this idea. To the fans of this story, and those of Rose Tyler, don't be fooled. Not everything in this story will be from Broken Faith. I have a different idea to that.