The Doctor stands alone in the TARDIS control room. From there, he has a blank stare at the TARDIS controls. It is a blank expression which hides the livid fury within him.
Failure! Utter and complete failure!
The Doctor wonders, to himself, how all of this went so wrong, so fast. This was Doctor Kelly's very first mission outside of her home world, too. He only hopes this doesn't give her the impression that devastation like this is commonplace for him.
The Doctor closes his eyes and bows his head as he mulls over what happened and what might have gone wrong.
Well, to begin with, the Doctor already knew he was entering into hostile territory for this mission since it began in one of the fleet ships of the Klaxians. The primary goal was to secure that ship's manifest. He was hoping it might provide a clue on what happened to the kidnapped Alphalmians. It honestly was a long shot. He was initially firing at this in the dark because this was his first attempt to secure that information, but at the very least he was hoping for clues that might narrow down his target to the correct ship that could help him find and deliver on his promise to the Alphalmian Princess.
The Doctor already knew, too, that he could find other victims of the Klaxians who got captured into slavery. He knew that, but he did not expect to find this universe's ponified version of the Ood race. Once again he encounters them victimized into a slave role. This is honestly becoming a disturbing pattern that the Doctor has noticed about this particular race, even in a universe off.
It's interesting to note that the Ood race is also highly telepathic, just like the Alphalmians. It seems like someone is highly in the market for telepathic slaves around these centuries. Whoever these individuals or organizations are have already fallen far out of favor with the Doctor, but what is important to note here is the possible reasons for targeting races like this. In the wrong hands, power like this might do a lot of damage, to say nothing about the psychological damage to the enslaved races themselves.
What are they after? The Doctor feels compelled to know even if part of him dreads the answer.
In any case, he can't afford to ignore this.
The Doctor realizes that the problem started before they even set foot outside of the TARDIS during their last mission. Doctor Kelly brought up the fact she brought six crystals she called Warp Stones. To use them properly, the stones would have to be set upon any level, flat surface then activated. In doing so, the stones would create a teleportation circle upon that flat surface. From there, they have the power to teleport anyone within the circle to another teleportation circle as long as the other circle is already set and known to the user. These Warp Stones, according to her, are known to be especially accurate as long as the user teleports themselves to another preset teleportation circle. To do this, the user must hold an image of the distinct pattern of another circle in the users mind. Then, while standing within the pattern of a teleportation circle, they simultaneously energizing the circle their standing upon with magical energy. The Warp Stone itself can even be included in the warp, but in that case, the user can't warp back if there is no longer a teleportation circle there.
Doctor Kelly wanted to leave one of the Warp Stones on this ship permanently and then carry at least one other Warp Stone on their later adventures. That way those on an away mission always had ready access back into the TARDIS for whatever reason so long as the other Warp Stone can be placed on a flat and level surface and the user provides enough magical energy to power the teleportation circle. The Warp Stones themselves can be pre-charged with one charge as well, but if used, the stones would have to be recharged to use that function again.
Doctor Kelly also planned to leave one of her two floating spherical droids, Bit or Byte, with Vision so that they could communicate and monitor the young filly's status from a distance. That much was accomplished just fine.
The problem here is the TARDIS itself. The Doctor knew that this ship, and others like it, came equipped with formidable physical as well as dimensional defenses. The ships are nearly impossible to just throw open the doors and invade because the ships exist within their own quantum dimension, and that dimension has additional defenses to deflect interdimensional intrusion unless the right method is used to penetrate that defense. That's the whole point of having a TARDIS key.
Right off the bat, the Doctor knew Doctor Kelly's experiment would fail and he warned her of that in advance. In the back of the Doctor's mind, though, he was also thinking that there might be a way to design a bypass for this system. A way to attune each of the Warp Stones so that they could be able to penetrate the TARDIS's defenses. With a drone left behind to monitor Vision and a Warp Stone brought with them as well as one left behind in this ship, Vision would always be a simple warp away no matter how far the crew goes outside of this ship. That would also mean that every other resource left inside the ship remains accessible despite any distance they travel from the ship.
The Doctor realizes that he should have devoted more time to focus on that project and invent a bypass method before this mission even started. He had this resource in his hands already. It would have afforded him a critical tactical advantage not only for this mission, but for others ongoing.
But no. That's not what happened. The Doctor charged into a hostile Klaxian ship unprepared, and it cost him dearly this time.
Fortunately, his own crew is safe, but the Ood . . .
The Doctor initially figured he would have all the time in the world necessary to solve this problem. It wouldn't be easy for him. He knew the Klaxians wouldn't give up their “cargo” without a fight, and indeed, they didn't. As soon as he and the Doctor's crew were detected, plasma energy balls got fired at them from multiple directions. What made this worse was they occasionally had to pass through hot and steamy narrow corridors. For a high-tech society, the Klaxians sure love a steampunk motif for their ships. Not only did this make it difficult for his crew and him to dodge some of those plasma blasts, but the walls and pipes in the halls were hot to the touch. And, of course, that doesn't bother the Klaxians because they like it hot. That's one of the main points why they wear their environmental suits when they go off their home world and ships.
Maybe the final nail in this coffin, however, took place after the Klaxians suddenly removed themselves as a threat. The Doctor should have been wary of that fact, but at the time, he mainly celebrated the fact he had one less obstacle in his path. Not being shot at felt very good back then and it made it so much easier to get to the bridge of the ship. Once he got there, he figured he'd have the ship's manifest in his hands as well as access to the main controls of the ship. He could at least unlock the Ood from their cells there or maybe even steer the entire ship towards some lawful authority and they could take care of the Klaxians as well as their former slaves.
It seemed like such a good plan at the time. Get to the bridge and he could checkmate this entire adventure so it no longer mattered what the Klaxians were up to themselves.
Boy was he ever so wrong! It turns out the Klaxians had evacuated the ship through their various escape pods and then steered the ship into a collision course with a local planet. Probably a planet that they had just recently kidnapped the Ood from. That also means that anyone in the impact area of the downed ship was also taken down.
Talk about an epic failure for the Doctor and his team!
“Hell-oh, Doc-tor!” the Doctor recalled that the Klaxian commander of the ship taunted him via a holographic projection on the bridge of the ship. “Do not try to in-ter-fear with the steer-ing of this ship with your son-ic de-vice. You will find it quite im-pos-eh-bal to use a dam-aged de-vice at this junk-ture.”
“You'd crash this entire ship just to get back at me?! Are you INSANE?!” the Doctor shouted a the holographic projection of the commander in horror.
“I bring you a mes-age from high ca-mand,” the Klaxian commander went on. “Thanks for your war-ning, Doc-tor. We re-mem-bered it and made sure to make the ah-pro-pre-ate per-cah-tions for your next ah-ri-val.” He nods tauntingly. “Enjoy the ship while you can. I'm sure it is well earned.”
“STARS BLAST YOU!!!” the Doctor shouted at the top of his lungs as he smashed the holographic projection node with a hoof hard enough to shatter it into sparks. Curiously it released a lot of steam as well for some reason. “I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS! I SWEAR IT!”
“Doctor, we need to go!” Derpy had cried out fearfully as they all watched this ship plunging through the atmosphere of an alien planet through the bridge's large front-view port. Heat started to noticeably arise on the nose of the ship as it dove. More and more violent rocking on the ship gradually also climbed.
For a moment, the Doctor just stood there as he seethed with fury but also tried to mentally calculate a vast array of possible options to salvage this operation. He had already tried to take control of this ship with his sonic device but, as promised, critical components of this ship were already deliberately damaged beforehand. He really didn't have sufficient time to repair it from there.
“DOCTOR, COME ON! LET'S GO!” Stern Wing cried as she made her way to the exit of the bridge but waited for her friends there. From there, she ushered them past her when they caught up to her.
Fortunately for the Doctor, Doctor Kelly insisted on healing the Doctor's leg injury caused when he smashed the holographic projection node. She did this with a healing beam from her drone, Bit, which greatly accelerated the natural healing rate of whatever target the beam happened to be aiming at. That was useful intel for the Doctor so he vowed to privately remember that asset.
As it turned out, it was wise for Doctor Kelly to insist upon healing the Doctor because he needed to make a full sprint back to the TARDIS. If only he had access to the Warp Stones at the time. Maybe he would have had enough time to save some of the Ood along the way back to the ship.
The Doctor remembered his treacherous journey back to his own ship. Not only because of the violent rocking of the ship increasing, but pipes of steam burst along the way back. Sometimes they had to dodge around or pass through the darn things. Meanwhile, explosions full of metal shrapnel burst all around them. On top of that, mechanical monstrosities of what looked like brass spheres with spider legs and a single nose armed with a plasma cannon kept firing at them as they made their way out of the ship. Feather not only blocked some of those attacks but also the jets of hot steam they encountered as well. Stern Wing once flew forward and violently tackled one of those machines then threw it at another while she screamed in determined rage.
It was difficult to notice this until they made it back to the TARDIS, but the Ood had started a vibrating song. From there, the Doctor paused for a moment then looked back because he finally noticed the lovely song of the Ood.
From what he could tell, it sounded like the Ood was celebrating their impending release of their spirits from their mortal coil. They accepted death gracefully, peacefully, and with joy in their hearts. They sang in unison and great harmony as a naturally telepathic race often can.
At that moment, the Doctor wanted to ask the Ood for their forgiveness, but their song did not hold even a hint of malice in it. It sounded like they had already forgiven the Doctor, and his companions for their failure to rescue them even before it occurred to the Doctor to ask for it. The Ood might have even forgiven the Klaxians for their transgressions in this affair.
Their peaceful acceptance of their deaths made the Doctor feel all the more guilty. The only consolation he could possibly think of was the Ood would gain their freedom back . . . in a way.
“COME ON, DOCTOR! LET'S GO!” Stern Wing cried out from within the TARDIS.
With heavy pain and fury in his hearts, the Doctor whipped his head back in the direction of the TARDIS and charged right on in.
Back in the present, the Doctor smashes both of his hooves onto the TARDIS control console and then leans heavily into it. His shoulder blades on his back flex and he lowers his head.
While it may have been extreme, the message of the Klaxian commander is clear to the Doctor. The intent of this trap likely truly was meant to kill the Doctor and his crew, but on the off chance that any of them survives, the Klaxians wanted it known that they are often surrounded by those that the Klaxians would consider mere commodities, but the TARDIS crew would consider hostages and the Klaxian's are aware of that fact. This execution was staged to prove a point, and that is that the Klaxians are indeed willing to go that far again if the Doctor, and/or his crew, ever dare to make a move on another Klaxian ship, base, or territory. With that in mind, the Doctor needs to consider his next move carefully to avoid any further collateral damage.
It is rare for the Doctor to be this furious at anyone, but this time he is including himself. So many mistakes had piled up with that last mission. So many better plans he should have come up with. He is so angry at himself for his failure and his arrogance. Once again, it is others that paid the price, except he would too in his own way. Burdens like this just collect on his hearts ever onward. He has centuries, maybe even millennia, to torture himself over this recent failure, and why not? He's already done things like this many times over with other events before this one.
“Doctor,” speaks up Doctor Kelly's voice in the room. To acknowledge her, the Doctor peeks back at her over the edge of his right shoulder blade. From there, she can only see the upper half of his right blue eye that is currently very tiny. He is just too livid with fury to speak, so instead, he just looks at her to signal that she has his attention as much as he can give it at this moment. With his attention, she tells him, “the crew needs a relaxing vacation after that last mission, including this ship's captain.”
The Doctor just continues to stare at Doctor Kelly silently.
“Doctor's orders,” Doctor Kelly insists as she floats a new lollipop into her mouth. “I mean it. This is a necessary respite after so much psychological damage was caused in the last mission. I suggest you keep that in mind when charting our next course.
“Actually, no. I take that back. I don't suggest it. I insist!”
The Doctor slowly looks away from her and back to the TARDIS controls. From there, he closes his eyes and bows his head. He tries to think of a suitable location and time. One pops into his head almost immediately.
The Doctor opens his eyes again and then starts working the controls. As he silently does so, he has to mentally exert quite a bit of effort to compel himself into this action. Right now he is so depressed that it is making him feel lethargic, but he forces his limbs to press on anyway. He reminds himself that doing this is for the sake of his crew, and he'd do anything for them.
“Thank you,” Doctor Kelly expresses quietly behind him.
The Doctor feels like it is he who should be thanking her instead. After all, she is just expressing a kind and professional opinion about the status of him and his crew. She's the only one brave and strong enough to step up to the Doctor and insist upon this action on behalf of all of their mental health. His love grows for her because of this, but right now he finds it so difficult to express considering the fury he is recovering from.
When the Doctor makes a final yank of a lever, the TARDIS groans into action. Because of the noise the machine makes, it alerts the rest of his crew that they are on their way again. As a result, the others gradually file back into the TARDIS's main control room.
“Where and when are we now?” Stern Wing asks in a tone of annoyance as if she was recently awakened from a beautiful dream. She is, therefore, very groggy and irritable for the interruption. On the other hand, she feels compelled to ask because wherever and whenever they are might pose another security risk. She wants to be prepared for that.
The Doctor forces moisture back into his throat and then answers, “Relax. We're someplace relatively safe this time. Because of that, all of you can go. Even Vision, but I still strongly recommend supervision in the latter case. There might not be too many threats out there in this time and place but I'm sure there is still plenty of things a blind filly can bump into without guidance.
“Also, if any of you do go, I highly recommend Derpy takes point on this one. As for myself, I'll remain in the TARDIS for a little while while I work on something. Anyone who doesn't wish to go out there may remain here if they wish.” The Doctor looks at Doctor Kelly as he requests of her, “I'd like to borrow your Warp Stones for a little while. See if I can tinker with them enough to ensure they can bypass the TARDIS's defenses. I want to be more ready next time.”
“You got it,” Doctor Kelly agrees with an accepting nod.
“You want Derpy to take point wherever and whenever we are?” Feather Wind reflects questioningly and then widens his golden eyes as he realizes something. He then looks at the Doctor as he asks, “We're in Ponyville, aren't we?”
Upon hearing that theory, the others, except Vision, widen their eyes in pleasant astonishment. Just like that, the mood of the crew just lit considerably already.
In response, the Doctor just cracks a smile at Feather Wind a bit then gestures to the exit of the TARDIS invitingly.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Derpy gushes excitedly. “I can't wait to show you all my native hometown of Ponyville! You're all going to adore it! I promise!”
“We did want to check this out anyway,” Stern Wing says as she looks at and raises a left eyebrow at the exit of the TARDIS. Her expression remains otherwise very serious. “After all, this might be a suitable refuge to leave Vision for a while while she grows up.”
“I assume I get a say in this?” Vision asks.
“Of course you do,” Stern Wing instantly agrees as her eyes shift back to the filly. “That's why you need to check this out as well.” She shakes her head. “We won't commit to this plan unless you also approve.”
“Eh,” Vision thinks about it for a moment before shrugging and saying, “Fair enough.”
“You need to take it easy as well,” Doctor Kelly insists to the Doctor.
“Knowing the rest of you are safe is relaxing enough for me,” the Doctor expresses back. “Doing something to help ensure that safety in the future will also go a long way to ease my mind.
“Besides, I'll be able to join you all out there too in a way.”
Feather Wind squints as he asks, “What does that mean?”
“You'll see,” the Doctor replies with a coy smile. “Go on out there and see for yourself.”
“How close are we in the town?” Stern Wing checks with the Doctor.
“We're within it, so pretty close,” the Doctor answers.
“Someplace private, I hope?” Stern Wing probes further. “The residents of this town and time might be peaceful, but materializing in the middle of a busy street might disturb some of that peace so I hope you kept that in mind.”
“No place is perfect, but I'm reasonably confident our materialization spot won't raise too much of a ruckus,” the Doctor reassures. “If necessary I can later move it again.”
“I'll leave Byte here again so that we can communicate with you while we're gone,” Doctor Kelly proposes.
“I approve,” the Doctor agrees.
“Why name it 'Bit' and 'Bite'?” Derpy asks in confusion. “As far as I can tell, they have nothing to do with food . . . or do they?”
Doctor Kelly shakes her head at Derpy as she says, “No. Not 'Bite' as in b-i-t-e, but 'Byte' as in b-y-t-e,” Doctor Kelly explains. “The term has more to do with a specific quantity of digital information rather than a morsel to eat. In this case, a 'bit' is a smaller quantity of 'byte'.”
“Ahhhhhhhhhh . . . I still don't get it,” Derpy admits with a confused blink of her walleyes.
“Yes. I can see that,” Doctor Kelly replies in a tone of acceptance.
“Oh wow! I just realized something interesting,” Feather Wind remarks with a minor grin. “As a breed, all of us are evenly split now. Two earth ponies, two pegasi, and two unicorns. Mathematically, this wasn't even possible until Doctor Kelly joined us.”
“Oh yeah! You're right!” Derpy realizes in amusement.
“Eh, well . . . technically I am a Magi, not a unicorn,” Doctor Kelly corrects. “Physiologically there are some differences. For instance, us magi are evolved to require less sleep per day. We can also sense and project magic far more easily. We use Magi gems to cast magic, and we live significantly longer, although that is by artificial means.”
“Less sleep, huh?” Feather Wind reflects. “But your world has far more thick and artificial magic. Maybe that has something to do with it. Furthermore, now that you left your home world, perhaps you'll find an increased need for sleep?”
Doctor Kelly lifts an eyebrow, intrigued, as she says, “You know what? That's a very good point, Feather Wind. Thank you for offering it. I should conduct a science experiment to see if that is the case. This could make a wonderful contribution to science.”
“On the subject of breeds, I am a Time Lord,” the Doctor points out. “So do I still count?”
“Eh.” Derpy sits down so she can lift both of her bent forelegs in a large shrug as she says, “Semantics.”
“Well, whether you're staying or going, everyone out!” the Doctor orders. “I need a moment of privacy to think about some things and work on a few projects.” He looks at Doctor Kelly again. “With those Stones, of course.”
“Bring your Red Crystal too!” Derpy requests of Feather Wind. “Ponyville is a wonderful place to capture good vibrations.”
“And if you do, I want to study that crystal in action,” Doctor Kelly brings up. “That information could also be useful.”
“Ah . . . speaking of which, are you bringing one of those droids with you?” Feather Wind asks Doctor Kelly cautiously.
“But of course! I always wish to bring one of my beloved pets because, with them, I could gather so much information and data samples,” Doctor Kelly answers.
“That might raise alarms in Ponyville,” Feather Wind cautions.
“Not in stealth mode, it won't,” Doctor Kelly argues then nods to one of her droids. “Watch.” Before their very eyes, one of the droids split open, creates a tool on its nose, then fades from sight. She smiles smugly as she brags, “Both of them can create a holographic projection node. Using that, it can create a projection not only to add something, but also omit something that was already there. Anypony who looks at it will only see a holographic projection of the background while the droid hides itself behind that wall of illusion.”
Smoke starts rising from Derpy's ears due to her confusion. This causes the same sound as a kettle rising steam. She also starts glowering in frustration at how this conversation brought up confusing subjects for her multiple times. She's starting to get upset about how often this is making her feel dumb and left out.
“Suffice it to say it can't easily be detected now,” Doctor Kelly reiterates for Derpy's benefit.
“Again, out,” the Doctor reminds insistently.