The Changing Man (Doctor Who Fan Story)

Chapter 7

Don't you dare! Don't you do that to her again!" Warned The Doctor venomously

Ashly was strapped back into the operating table again, her eyes seemed to flutter more rapidly.

"It's for science Doctor! And science requires results" chuckled Einstern

The sound of the mechanical arms filled the room once more and the needles inched towards her sleeping figure, the tips gleaming devilishly. From down the corridor, a loud feral roar sliced through the room, followed by a blurring figure. The rage of the figure was mighty as the sound of snapping metal rang out, the mechanical whir ceased.

Standing beside Ashly protectively, was the Master, his fangs bared, tail lashing, his stance slightly bent as though he was ready to attack anyone that came near, friend or foe. He growled menacingly. In his hands he held the remains of the mechanical arms, with the metal snapped clean off and the wires hung loosely. Einstern turned bright red with rage.

"What the blazes... MASTER! You bastard, why did you do that for!? It was an experiment in progress... AND THE MACHINE! That cost me a fucking fortune!" The white hairs on Einstern's head stood up on end as he stamped his feet.

Gunner on the other hand, noticed the Masters posture and kept a hand on his pistol, it seemed the Master looked like he could attack anyone at the moment in time. The Master said nothing, he dropped the metal to the floor which banged loudly and stared at Einstern with cold black eyes. Einstern started to twitch under his gaze with severe uneasiness.

"Master, are you ok?" Einstern had calmed down a fraction as he asked the Master who in response grimaced "Master?" He repeated

"What have you done to me?" Whispered The Master

"What do you mean?" Asked Einstern, a confused expression washed over his paper thin face.

"You said a mental connection is all I needed to make me normal..." Accused The Master

"Yes, and I stand by that answer and it has proven right, just look at you! You are normal and no longer feral! I think i should be thanked, not accused... Why are you acting this way?"

"You never said anything about an emotional connection as well!" Roared The Master

Einstern was lost for words, his mouth opened and closed like a washed up fish breathing for air, he combed through his wispy white hair often as though the answer would pop right into his brain with every stroke. Gunner, on the other hand, couldn't help it, a small smile started to tug on the corners of his mouth until it turned into a full blown mocking grin.

"Ooh look, The Master has a crush..." He didn't get far in his taunting when a quick smack on the side of his face sent him tumbling to the floor. A deep, warning growl erupted from deep within the Masters throat as he glared down at Gunner.

"Ow!" Howled Gunner

"Gunner be quiet, i am thinking" Einstern hissed quickly, he then started to riffle through some notes on a nearby desk, muttering to himself.

"I do not know, i need to test... See Master, this is one if the reasons why i needed to test her, to see if there are any side effects and you came along and broke my beautiful machine... Emotional connection..." He turned to the Master questioningly who was occupied in brushing Ashly's hair off her delicate face "Master, tell me, what do you feel when you look at her?"

The Masters face grew taught as though he was reluctant to answer. He sighed heavily.

"I feel that i cannot hate her, instead i should protect her from any harm that would come to her, it's an emotion that i have never felt before... What is it? Care? Do i care for her? But that's impossible, i never care for anyone, never have, never will!" The Master got angry with his internal fight, his hand balled up into a fist and looked like he was going to hit Ashly, instead he brought it down hard on the table next to her, leaving a deep dent.

"That is true, he never has cared, not when he killed thousands if people, not when he enslaved the human race, he's just a crazy-ass mass-murdering lunatic, wanting so much power and getting too much of his own medicine... Maybe it is a good idea that you are linked with Ashly, then she can make you suffer... And i hope you DO!" Hissed Martha, dragging each word out like a threat.

Everyone was surprised that she spoke, all the captives were quiet after the events and they turned to look at her questioningly and then back to the Master to see what he would do, but it was Einstern who spoke first.

"You be quiet now otherwise I will put you in another machine that would screw out your eyeballs and..."

"No Einstern it is fine, little miss Martha Jones is right, I did not care for the pain i caused to other people, instead i enjoyed it..." A sly smile spread across his face as he remembered his past memories of bloodshed. But then he looked down so his face was hard to see, and ever so quietly he whispered "Maybe it is time for change..." The others weren't exactly sure what he said but knew something was not right with him.

"Master, maybe you should go feed, maybe clear your thoughts a bit?" Suggested Einstern

"No, i will feed when she wakes... She may be hungry..." The Master sighed

"You sure? You've been in that room for 6 months; don't even want to stretch your..."

"I'm sure" The Master cut him off quickly, bitterness seeped into his voice as he glared at them all one at a time, he then sank to the floor beside the broken table where Ashly lay, head in his hands.