Soul's Shadow (Doctor Who - SI)

Part VIII (X)

"He's... not dead... right?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Only after we had walked for some minutes had I managed to muster up the courage to ask.

"Oh, now you remember your conscience?" The Master laughed to himself, adjusting the other Time Lord's weight on his shoulder.

Somehow no one paid us any attention, even though we must have been quite noticeable. But people simply walked by, not looking, not reacting. And eventually we reached a small alleyway in which a familiar blue box was parked.

The Master let the Doctor sink to the ground, then squatted down to rummage through the coat pockets until he found a key.

"How did you know where the TARDIS is?" I wondered aloud. "He hasn't said anything."

"No?" The key vanished in the lock and a subtle clicking noise came from the door, shortly before the Master pushed it open.

"Uhhh... no... 'm pretty sure he didn't say a word."

"Well, must be luck then." The Master winked at me, obviously not willing to fill me in on the secret. He picked the Doctor from the ground and carried him inside to drop him on one of the jump seats.

I followed close behind, again amazed by the alien interior. While the Master was busy tying up the Doctor, I stood there, leaned against the console, and listened with closed eyes. There was the familiar humming of the machines, soothing, although it probably would give me a headache quickly. There were the noises of the Master moving around. But this wasn't what I listened for.

"Think she will talk again?" a mocking voice Tore through my concentration. "I'm still pretty sure you only imagined it."

Scowling, I opened my eyes. "She made me immune against your dumb hypnotism."

The Master raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching. "That's not something a TARDIS can do. Especially not from so far away. Am I right, Doctor?"

He didn't move or turn, but from behind him I could hear a soft groan, then the rustling of cloth and another, more annoyed groan.

"You still can't use the controls," the Doctor ground out, his voice a little raspy. "Ugh, damit Master. That has some nasty side effects."

Now he turned, a wide grin spread on his face. "Nothing your body couldn't dispose of within an hour. Would have ended far worse had I tried that on the human."

The Doctor shot straight, serious eyes glaring at the other Time Lord. "Don't you dare! She has nothing to do with us. Leave her be."

"You know," the Master drawled, grin dropping. "I'm getting bored of your speeches. It's always the same. Can't you spice them up a little? I don't know... maybe add some jokes? No?"

His only answer was a dark glare, which made him chuckle.

"And now?" I wanted to know. "Bit useless if you can't do anything here, isn't it?

The Master turned swiftly and grabbed me with one hand by the neck. I let out an indignant squeak, shrinking together under the grip.

"On whose side are you?" he scolded. "How about you thank me for still being alive?"

"Master, stop it!" the Doctor called out, fighting against the rope around him. "What do you want?"

"Want? For not harming that one?" He pushed me away, but at least let go of my neck. "I want the TARDIS."

The Doctor groaned, quite as if he had heard this already and for too many times.

"And with that power," the Master continued, ignoring the response, "I can have your cute little apes be my willing slaves."