Genesis Of The Doctor - A Doctor Who Story

33 - Rebirth

John Smith glanced up and down his small grey prison cell, a puzzled look on his face.  After many years away from Gallifrey so much was unfamiliar - the writing, the materials, the smell: as if he were a child again all were new to him.

He was also finding his jailor 'The Castalan' difficult to follow, which was making the stern man increasingly exasperated. "Theta Sigma, are you listening to me?  I'm explaining why you are here and setting out your options regarding not being here for the rest of your natural life."

"What options?" asked Smith.  "Where is my friend?  Is she still alive?  What's happening to her?  Please, tell me, I need to know!"

"Kappa Chi will survive.  She is taking the Rebirth as we speak and that will save her.  You were correct in that at least."

A look of intense relief filled Smith's young face momentarily before doubt clouded it over again. "What's going to happen to me?" he asked.

"We are not going to punish you for running away or even for your mode of escape.  You seem to have friends in high places; Councillor Borusa of the Low Council has personally mitigated your sentence, reducing it to be merely your incarceration here."

"Thank you," replied Smith humbly.  "I'm grateful for that."

"We must however correct what you have done to the time line.  A Special Order is being drafted to send in a Timeline Correction Team to put right the changes you have made to the planet Earth's destiny." (He pronounced it 'e-arf') "We have just enough time to make our corrections before the changes that you have made become irrevocable."

"You can't do that!" shouted Smith.

"We can and we must.  The Myriad go on to have a major influence on their galaxy, their subsummation of the human race is a pivotal moment in the web of time."

The Castalan moved on, "We come now to the matter of your Rebirth.  In an unprecedented decree Councillor Borusa has persuaded both the Low and High Councils to acquiesce to your wish to take the Rebirth."  It was obvious from the Castalan's tone and expression that he found this turn of events both baffling and distasteful.  "This highest of honours is to be made to you despite your obvious criminality, your extreme unpreparedness and also your unsuitability due to your age."

Smith gulped visibly.  This was a shock - although he knew that he had made a promise to Milly to go through with it, it terrified him nonetheless.  It was the very thing he had fled Gallifrey to avoid all those years ago; his own death followed by rebirth with a new personality in a new body.

Smith stuttered, "How..? How soon?"

"Due to the unusual nature of this Rebirth it will happen without the usual pomp and ceremony it is usually afforded and will take place immediately."

"Immediately?" replied Smith incredulously. "Now?"

"Immediately," confirmed the Castalan, producing a translucent blue flask within which a fire appeared to burn.  "You must now choose your True Name by which you will be known from henceforth.  Choose now!"

"Can I have some time to think about this?"

"You have thirty micro-spans.  Choose now!"

"Wha..? Please can I have time to think?  A um okay, um er the, the, 'Mister' er 'Man', 'George', um, 'The Batman', no, 'Zugzwang Interrobang', 'Father Christmas', no, erm, 'Space Prince'.  Can I have more time?" He looked down at the dirty doctor's lab coat that he was still wearing.  "Science, Science, 'Science Man'... 'The Professor'... Doctor, Doctor, 'The Doctor'.  Yes 'The Doctor!'"

"Final answer?" asked the Castalan, unconvinced.

"Yes, 'The Doctor!'"

"Then take this and make your pledge. I will take my leave."  The Castalan was well aware that a Rebirth at such an age would likely be problematic, even dangerous.  He left the cell and closed the door behind him. 

Inside, Smith held the glowing Rebirthing vessel and tried to remember the words he had been made to chant repeatedly since his first days at the Academy as a young initiate.

Holding the vessel aloft in shaking hands Smith began solemnly, "Never cowardly or cruel. Never give up, never give in!"  He raised the flask to his lips and devoured its contents in one.

He staggered back, gripping a metal table beside him, "No!" he shouted. "No!" The rebirthing fluids ripped through his body, turning his flesh into a fiery plasma.  It began in his throat and stomach and spread out throughout his body like a fire burning through a tinder dry forest.  As the violet fire reached up towards his head beams of golden light streamed from his outstretched hands and from his eyes.  With a last scream his brain joined the fire which had enveloped his entire body.  He fell to the floor as he died.