FANGARIUS: Forgotten Days - Prologue

Prologue

CHRONOSPACE CO-ORDINATES: Baytown, Texas, USA – Temporal Nexus Point Earth-Prime

CHRONOLOGICAL TELLURIAN DATE:  October 2^nd, 2007

Distant sound of rain filled the atmosphere while thunder boisterously introduced the storm’s arrival.  A mysterious figure was calmly operating the controls of the hexagonal console while the crystalline columns had remained inert.  Brown-haired, emerald-hazel eyes, he appeared now in his early-thirties.  Despite the green shirt, dark sweater bearing the crimson F-Clanscrest, brown slacks and dark ropers, the being was far much older than he appeared.  The only items out-of-place with his ensemble was his multicoloured headband, dark hands, and wolf’s tail.  When he smiled, one could notice fangs peeking out.

                The being in question was Fangarius.  Or more simply put, Fanger.  Like The Doctor, Fanger had miraculously made it into his Eighth Incarnation.  But at times, Fanger wondered how he had ever managed reaching his Sixth.  Currently within the spacious, observatory-esque interior of the TARDIS 2’s Main Console Room, he had been secretly deciphering an ageless conundrum.

Of course, the entire matter actually started shortly after The Doctor had survived the Time War.  Fanger had been fortunate—if you wanted to call it as such—not to be embroiled within the devastating battle.  Mainly thanks to the Time Lord’s precautionary tactics, the Paranormal Time Lord had never been dragged into the multidimensional conflict.

Paranormal Time Lord. The truth was Fanger never fancied the title, since he had considered it was nothing more than a shallow formality.  The only reason he ended up graduating from the Academy was due to foiling The Master from taking over Gallifrey with some displaced F-Clones, and a psionic amplifier.  There had always been political unrest between the Time Lords and the Clanstribes. Considering the Clanstribes existed long before Gallifreyan Man had come onto the scene.  Though Fanger’s Clan, the Fangarians, had established several peaceful relations with the Gallifreyans, and Rassilon helped decree laws protecting the Wolf-Beings, there were some who felt the Clanstribes didn’t earn the same privileges as they did.

In fact, from his own personal family History, Fanger pondered how his relations still got along with the High Council.  Nevertheless once being a proud ChronoKnight, defending Gallifrey and Universe from harm, Dunestar was accused of treason.  Before that, his father, Harrison was also banished from their Homeworld because he refused utilising his inventions for ‘defence’ rather than beneficial uses. And it seemed Fanger’s loyalties were in doubt as well, all because he had spent most of his time travelling the Fifth Dimension with The Doctor.

                Even if his Godfather had once been elected Lord President, apparently, some still considered him a renegade for overtly defying the sacred Non-Intervention Policies and Laws established by the Time Lords.

While Fanger casually worked on several panel controls, he glanced about the spacious interior of the TARDIS 2.  He recalled when he had first constructed his own Model 92 Deluxe.  He had been in his Fourth Incarnation, and had managed slipping away from the graduation ceremonies. Overlooking the regal titles and rituals involved, Fanger perceived the Council expected him to now be their personal token lapdog.  When the truth was, now having Time Lord Status, he could officially be on his own.  However, he knew acquiring a TARDIS wasn’t rather practical, since the Time Lords had most of their constructed models under their absolute control.

                Thus, the Paranormal Time Lord had cleverly built his own within the private sectors of one of the forgotten workshops.  And if memory served, the TARDIS 2’s first launch had almost been unsuccessful.  Until by a miraculous chance, Fanger’s teardrop had fallen into the machine’s cybernetic core, instantly bringing the craft’s essence to life.  In more ways than one.

                ‘Still working on your private investigation?’ A young female with violet hair, wearing a sweater and slacks had appeared.  A complete contrast from her previous red-haired version.  She now resembled Nabiki Tendo, possessing a rather composed persona. ‘Ever figure out who did a number on Mum?’

                ‘Not yet, T-2,’ Fanger continued working on the Main Console. ‘I’m inputting some info into your databanks about the current Chronorupturations pertaining to The Doctor.’

                Naturally T-2 was the holographic essence of the TARDIS 2 itself.  She first materialised after Fanger’s essence made contact with her cybernetic core, bringing her to life, so to speak.  She had not wasted anytime in helping deliver her creator from Gallifrey post haste.  Primarily she felt it was her primary duty in keeping Fanger and his Companions safe at all costs.  Even when she had been forcibly separated from the Paranormal Time Lord, T-2 prevented the Time Lords from studying and dismantling her.  As a means for protecting his secrets from their prying eyes.

                In fact, she once permitted Fanger into dividing her into several components, for attempting to save the Multiverse from Salerion’s mad schemes.  And Fanger immediately searched the dimensions for locating her parts and assembling her back into one piece.  However, lately, thanks to the Time War, T-2 had rarely seen much action.  Except for assisting Fanger with his personal investigation pertaining to The Doctor himself.

                ‘Still don’t understand what you’re searching for,’ another woman had entered the room.  Dark-haired, wearing a sweater, cream-brown jacket and beige slacks, she examined the obscure information demonstrated on the holoscreen.  The massive sea of equations and formulas reminded her too much of calculus. ‘You and The Doctor solved the mystery behind the F-Clones’ non-involvement with the Time War.’

                ‘Perhaps, Sarah,’ Fanger acknowledged his cousin’s presence.  Continuing his computations, he casually operated the panel’s keyboard.  ‘But just because Sentron’s incognito as a communications company’s CEO, doesn’t mean the F-Clones were never involved with the Time War in the first place.’ Tapping the final set of keys, he twisted the nearby control. ‘I fear this has become something slightly beyond two Skaroan Factions battling over Gallifreyan secrets.’

                Suddenly the observatory screens sprang to life, etching an intergalactic grid, with several markers indicating several divisions of Time itself.  Sarah had witnessed this once before when Fanger and The Doctor had to deal with the Eternals.  The image was the vast representation of the ChronoSphere itself.

                ‘Wow,’ a man breathlessly spoke while he entered the Main Console Room. ‘Came just in time for the show, I see.’

                He gave the appearance of being in his late-twenties/early-thirties.  Not to mention giving the illusion he stepped right out of World War II, even though he served on many military forces throughout several years.  White undershirt, blue shirt, regulation navy slacks and boots, his ensemble implied he was a self-disciplined person.  Completing his ensemble was his overcoat, defining the fact he belonged to a secret organisation.

                Unimpressed, Sarah scowled as she recognized him.

                ‘What are you doing here?’ She demanded, diverting Fanger’s attention from the observatory’s display.

                ‘Hmm..’ Fanger noticed the unexpected visitor. ‘Captain Jack Harkness? Yes, I invited him.’

                ‘What?’ Sarah gave her cousin an incredulous expression.  She wondered if he had begun losing his senses. ‘But he’s with Torchwood!’

                ‘Right,’ Fanger nodded. ‘But Jack’s also one of The Inquisitor’s top agents, despite what The Chrono Agency claims. Could even give Carmen Sandiego a run for her money.’

                Jack’s smiled faded as he hesitated upon Fanger’s last statement.  As far as he knew, no one—not even The Doctor—knew about The Inquisitor.  Although The Inquisitor knew a lot about the Paranormal Time Lord, Jack wondered how Fanger knew about the enigmatic being.  The conundrum almost stumped him, if a familiar voice had not reminded him about The Inquisitor’s true identity.

                ‘The Inquisitor,’ it automatically recited, as if Jack accessed the datafile. ‘Pseudonym identification belonging to forthcoming incarnation of Fangarius. Future numeric identification: unknown.’ The computerised voice emanated from the robotic dog connected directly into the TARDIS 2 computers.

                ‘K9’ T-2 chided. ‘Nobody likes a snitch.’

                ‘Apologies,’ K9 remarked. ‘Erroneously thought Master wanted Jack acquiring proper identification of Inquisitor.’

            ‘All right, you two,’ Fanger continued working on the panel controls.

                ‘Ah,’ Jack now understood the acknowledgement between the two beings.

                Both Sarah and Jack started observing the grids displayed above them.  Jack recognised Fanger summoned up the localised version of the ChronoSphere.  For the real version was an endless, interconnecting network of every Timeline throughout the Universe.  Meaning if one thing affected one Timeline, the chances are it would affect another in ways unimaginable.  Sarah just figured the representation had to do something with Time itself, considering Fanger and The Doctor are Time Lords.

                Nonetheless, amidst the grid’s mass of endless, turquoise streaks, they promptly noticed an astonishing anomaly.  At one point, one of the streaks had split into two crimson lines.  Crimson-mauve distortions were filling itself between the split, making it look as if something had torn the ChronoSphere.  As the two guests inspected the phenomenon, only one phrase came to mind.

                ‘Chronorupturation.’

                Realising they both spoke in unison, Jack and Sarah disbelievingly stared at one another.  K9 instantly supplied the information about the anomaly itself.

                ‘Chronorupturation,’ he recited, accessing another file. ‘Anomalous phenomenon occurring when an Event—possibly paradoxical in nature—disrupts the natural flow of Time. Aptly named, since the disruption causes a Blank Dimension Effect between normal Time Eras, centuries or decades, literally splitting Time into an alternate reality.’

            ‘Exactly,’ Fanger simplified. ‘In other words, splitting Time in two, allowing one,’ he gestured towards the turquoise anomaly. ‘To redesign Reality as one sees fit.  Normally because most Chronorupturations end up collapsing on themselves eventually, they’re not really much of a threat.’

                ‘Unless you have the means of keeping it going,’ Sarah concluded.  She vividly recalled when Fanger had nearly crashed the TARDIS 2 into an ancient Chronocraft.  Of course, this was long ago, when Fanger was a completely different person altogether.  In his Fourth Incarnation, he had dark-hair and appeared slightly more lupine than human.  It was also when they had met up with Alex P. Keaton as well. ‘I recall the Eternals and The Rani had this mad scheme for creating their own version of Earth.’ She explained. ‘By making a rupture between 1983 and 1993, I believe.’

                ‘Actually,’ Fanger corrected. ‘They originally had wanted the gap to be about two years, but you see the dangers of allowing a Chronorupturation going beyond its limitations.’

                Jack nodded.  He had experienced a different form entirely.  When he and Toshiko had found themselves trapped back in 1940, the Torchwood crew had presumed their team members had fallen into a time warp.  But Jack knew better than what Owen and Ianto had assumed.  Someone—or something—had utilised the Rift into ensnaring him and Toshiko into a Chronorupturation.

                Whatever the reason, apparently Fanger’s Chronoscope had detected the anomaly.  From the looks of it, the disruption was definitely far from being natural.  Fanger studied both the local holoscreen as well as the observatory display.

                ‘All right, T2,’ Fanger instructed. ‘Can you tighten up,’ he pointed towards the upper-right section. ‘That quadrant sector over there?’

                ‘Will do,’ T2 concentrated, enlarging the image until it filled the area in front of them. Pulsating with ethereal force, the crimson-mauve split started revealing obscure calculations and symbols. ‘How’s that?’

                ‘Fine, T2, thanks,’ Fanger turned towards Jack. ‘Does this look familiar to you?’

                Jack became awestruck upon recognising the representation.  He speculated about his Past as a Time Agent, but he had never suspected anything like this before. ‘That’s…’

                ‘The point in Time where the Rogue Time Agents had framed you and stolen two years of your memory.’ Fanger dryly confirmed. ‘Normally this activity would’ve gone undetected.’

                ‘Except?’ Sarah raised her eyebrow towards her cousin’s roundabout nature.

                ‘One of the idiots made an escape attempt with a faulty Time Band,’ T2 admitted. ‘Crash landed somewhere on 22^nd Century Earth.’

                ‘22^nd Century Earth.’ K9 explained. ‘Major component Timeline of Fangarius’ Sixth Incarnation.’

            Sarah winced.  Jack exasperatedly blew air from his cheeks, while T2 smiled and nodded.

                The Sixth Fanger’s reputation preceded him.  Jack perceived the remaining agent would’ve been better off facing The Inquisitor.  Fanger vaguely recalled after much pain and screaming, the agent promptly confessed he was responsible for Captain Jack’s condition.  However, the agent gave a flimsy alibi about suspecting Jack was secretly allying himself with the F-Clones.

                ‘For one thing,’ Fanger deviously smiled. ‘F-Clones have the same threat factor as the Daleks. The Agency promptly ensures their recruits are completely “uncloneable.” Even if they desired in doing so, the F-Clones wouldn’t be able to duplicate you.’

                ‘Besides,’ Sarah recalled. ‘Wouldn’t there duplicates have their strengths and weaknesses amplified?’

                Jack wondered what they were talking about until K9 pointed out how the F-Clones replicate a living being.  Apparently Xerographication simply acquires one’s biogenetic print and creates a symbiotic droid, with a mutant Thal programmed with the being’s persona and memories.  However, because the process duplicates only the persona and memories, regrettably, there are flaws within the F-Clone duplicate.

                According to his own datafile, Jack knew the F-Clones were constantly foiling the Daleks at every turn.  Except it now hit him why Fanger had been continually investigating the Time War.  Inexplicably they should have been battling the pepperpot creatures during the Time War itself.  Fanger suspected the F-Clones’ objective was not defeating the Daleks this time around, but something of greater value.

                Especially when he factored in the event of Jidai Sakugo and a displaced F-Clone Armada vessel landing on Gallifrey.  About several hours before the planet’s destruction had occurred. 

                ‘Apparently both factions were after the APC Net.’

                While Captain Jack fashioned the typical, eye-popping astonishment, the term was completely foreign to Sarah.  Of course, she sensed Gallifrey was obviously a sacred realm.  Otherwise The Doctor would have never left her behind on Earth.  Still she had no idea how important the artefact really was to the Time Lords. 

                ‘Amplified Panatropic Compiler Network,’ K9 elucidated. ‘Gallifreyan Symbioelectronic Organic System originally designed and developed by the Locanshite Clanstribe.  Locanshite Technology of the APC Net enables storage of all essence and knowledge of Time Lord and Clanstribe inhabitants since the Age of Rassilon. Legends claim ancient secrets pertaining to the ChronoSphere, ChronoSpirits and ChronoSpectres are also contained within the APC Net Databanks.’

            ‘So,’ Sarah slowly spoke, hardly believing the scope of the situation. ‘Anyone possessing this APC Net could have absolute access to Gallifrey’s secrets, I take it?’

                ‘Affirmative, Mistress.’

            ‘Wait,’ Jack incredulously stared at the Paranormal Time Lord. ‘Are you telling us your—The Doctor’s—Homeworld was annihilated over ancient, sacred knowledge stored within some living computer network?’

                ‘Many civilisations have been destroyed for less,’ Fanger gravely admitted while examining the images displayed above them. Giving his wrist a slight flick, he summoned his glasses. ‘Yet, now you comprehend my skepticism over the Daleks destroying Gallifrey.’

                ‘Fanger,’ Jack deeply warned, ‘after what you, The Doctor, Rose,’ he gestured to Sarah, ‘and I’m assuming your cousin, Ms. Smith, have encountered, you really shouldn’t underestimate the Daleks.’

                ‘Actually, Jack,’ another voice bitterly uttered. ‘Fanger hasn’t. Not by a long shot.’  Eyes flashing with ethereal force, the brown-haired, young man they had passed earlier had entered the Main Console Room.  Dressed in black, they noticed he had shed his human guise.  Serpentine eyes, wolf-hands and tail, he gave a frightening illusion. ‘Nor should the Daleks underestimate the Tombeurian Clanstribes.’

                Fanger exasperatedly sighed.  Sometimes he speculated over which Clanstribe was more annoying, the Corinthians or the Locanshites. ‘Travarias, shouldn’t you be outside tending to customers?’

                ‘We closed about an hour ago,’ Trav flicked his tail, flexing his hands slightly.  Fanger stopped, checking the chronometer T2 had set up.  The indicator claimed it was 10:05 pm. ‘You need to keep better track of Time, bud.’

                Fanger shot him an appearance which Sarah and Jack believed could terrify a Cyberman.

                In reality, the Paranormal Time Lord always had his own reservations about these pepperpot beings from Skaro.

When The Doctor and Susan had first escaped Gallifrey, Fanger recalled they all had done so inside the Model 40 TARDIS.  Secretly Fanger deduced why both Dunestar and The Doctor had selected this particular model.  Although the elderly gentlemen claimed the police box exterior was due to a faulty chameleon circuit, Fanger had always recalled it had always been in that form.

                Dunestar claimed the Time Lords had originally been using it as a concealed probe.  Apparently the 1950s had proven a disturbing time for Tellurian development.  Privately the ChronoKnight-turned-Time Lord had perceived the real reason it had been kept inside one of the forgotten Workshops.  The Time Lords maintained the Model 40s and older units were scheduled for decommissioning.  To be completely taken offline from the Matrix altogether.  Perhaps this was the reason why it had been selected.

                In Dunestar’s case, it was the perfect temporal shelter for Fanger, until The Onslaught had passed.  To The Doctor, the perfect means for escaping Gallifrey.

                After all, no one ever imagined the possibly of someone attempting an escape with such an antiquated craft.  No one in their right mind would dare perform such a stunt.  Nonetheless, Fanger determined something amiss when Ian Chesterton had accidentally launched the TARDIS.  As with Tegan’s so-called piloting back on Castrovalva, Fanger knew the co-ordinates had been preprogrammed.  More specifically, set on a certain path.  First, approximately to Prehistoric Earth, probably to throw them off the track, then mysteriously to Skaro.

                The Doctor claimed because Ian had put the TARDIS into motion on a randomised course, the elderly man had no absolute means of controlling it.  Yet, fighting his own drug-induced stupor from Amethidal, Fanger sensed the reason The Doctor couldn’t readily control the TARDIS was because someone else had already locked in those co-ordinates.  In reality, nobody had ever expected anyone bringing the Model 40 back into action.  Let alone the craft still being functional after all those years of inactivity. Another anomaly, since Fanger vaguely recollected for an antediluvian device, someone had been keeping it well-maintained.

                The TARDIS was practically new, almost as if it had never been launched.  Rather strange it was being decommissioned if it had never left Gallifrey.  Unless it was never intended for official use.

Notwithstanding, Fanger felt their first Dalek encounter was anything but coincidental.  Mysteriously, these creatures knew exactly about the concealed fluid link The Doctor had used to lure Barbara, Susan and Ian out to the Skaroan city.  Meanwhile as Fanger was recovering from an Amethidal crash, he recalled meeting up with one of the Thals.  Ironically, the same medicines used for treating radioactive poisoning also provided as a temporal antidote for Fanger’s withdrawal symptoms.  With his mind briefly cleared, Susan had informed him about the mess her Grandfather had gotten the others into.  Rather than fighting, Fanger sagely decided the Thals would help the others with a rescue attempt. 

                At first, they were reluctant.  Fanger understood because their once beautiful planet had almost been destroyed by nuclear war.  But then when The Doctor and the others had escaped, and attempted in taking one of the Thals in exchange for his fluid link, they started realising defending themselves against the Daleks was their only option.

Later when Fanger helped The Doctor with installing a prototype version of the Chronoscope, Barbara had discovered the Daleks had developed their own TimeSpace craft.  Originally The Doctor punished himself for allowing the Daleks access to the TARDIS’ fluid link.  However Fanger felt someone had passed on the technology to the Daleks, for the craft was a bit too TARDISesque.  Not to mention, it was enabled to accurately track down the TARDIS.  No matter where or when it went through TimeSpace.  Sagely when Fanger and The Doctor used it for getting Barbara and Ian back to Earth, they decided on having it self-destruct afterwards.

Fanger perceived the fact the Daleks had never known any other lifeforms beyond the scope of their planet.  Unless, like him and The Doctor, someone else had established contact with these creatures.  Though he had temporally dropped his doubts about the Daleks’ technological advancements, Fanger suddenly had his hunch confirmed when the Time Lords had dispatched The Doctor, Sarah and Harry Sullivan into Skaro’s Past.  More specifically, at the point where Davros had created the first Daleks.

                Sarah questioned her cousin’s speculation.  Sure, the Time Lords had deliberately separated them from the TARDIS; it seemed like an obvious mission.  The Daleks’ infamous reputation had preceded them.  So much so, the Time Lords wanted them erased from History.  Except Sarah did recall The Doctor being reluctant with carrying out the mission.

                She felt the reason he had been chosen for the job was due to his experience with these beings.  Regrettably, The Doctor had decided on not destroying the Daleks as intended.  Instead, he sagely had hampered their development.  Even though he almost inadvertently jeopardised the Future while performing out his task.

                ‘Actually,’ Trav interrupted. ‘The Doctor wasn’t as stupid as the Time Lords assumed.’

                ‘What?’ Sarah didn’t care for the Locanshite’s tone. ‘Sure, I’ll admit The Doctor’s a bit eccentric.’

                ‘The Doctor sensed the entire mission was a complete setup.’ Trav affirmed. ‘Especially when you consider how you guys were transported there, without the TARDIS.’

                Not particularly fond of the Locanshite, Sarah heatedly inquired where Travarias was going with all this.  It was bad enough she dealt with manipulative authority figures, now learning The Doctor might have been involved in some kind of foul play was a bit too much.

                Fanger immediately stepped in, knowing exactly what the Locanshite was getting at.  ‘First off, Sarah, didn’t you think it was odd there happened to be no possible way you, nor The Doctor, could contact me?  Or perhaps have Fangexlcoatl, Takahashi, Dunestar, or Keanu come and help you?’

                The penny dropped as Sarah stared dubiously at her cousin. ‘You mean the Time Lords planned on using me as ransom?’

                ‘More like insurance, actually,’ Fanger corrected. ‘But you get the idea, considering someone discovered your relationship with the Fangarians.’ He began checking on K9 and the connection. ‘Probably thought if you were embroiled, they’d not interfere.’  Examining one of the monitors, he tapped on the screen.  He immediately received a sharp look from T2. ‘All right,’ he apologised, before going back to the topic at hand. ‘Secondly, if The Doctor had completely succeeded with the mission, the result would’ve cost him his life.’

                Jack bore a grim expression. ‘Well, that’s one hell of a way for thanking someone.’

                Sarah scowled at Jack. ‘Look, I know we almost got killed on that godforsaken planet.’ She flatly stated. ‘But just how could it have cost The Doctor his life? I mean, yes, if he had been forced into exploding the planet, but as you pointed out,’ she gestured at Fanger. ‘Harry and I were there.’

                Travarias rolled his eyes.  Why did he literally need to spell everything out for these Tellurians?  And he thought the customers here were mentally challenged.

                ‘Genocide, Ms. Smith,’ he bluntly identified. ‘The Ancient Laws are strict. Though Time Lords can assign a field agent on a ChronoRevision mission for altering a culture’s development, wiping them out of existence’s unacceptable.’

                ‘Right,’ Fanger somberly added. ‘As The Doctor and I’ve pointed out on several occasions, nothing justifies murder.  Even if you’re dealing with something as malevolent as the Daleks. Also when I returned briefly to Gallifrey, I discovered the little escapade you had undergone wasn’t approved by the High Council.’

                Before anyone inquired about Fanger’s cryptic statement, K9 immediately provided the answers.

                ‘Celestial Intervention Agency,’ he identified. ‘Unauthorised covert organisation composed of several Time Lord Members who do not allocate the Laws of Rassilon and Non-Intervention Policies of the High Council.  The Agency has been known for utilising both Time Lord and Locanshite technology for inducting unsuspecting travelers and involving them into missions for ChronoSphere preservation.’

            K9’s definition ended when an abrupt tone filled the atmosphere.

                ‘Upgrade and modifications complete,’ T2 admitted. ‘K9’s now has the latest intergalactic information and updates. Disengaging interface.’ The connection automatically released the robotic dog.

                Fanger sighed as he placed his arms against the Main Console.  ‘Sorry, seems I’m getting off track with you guys. Trav, you can get out of your uniform in the back. I take it the place is now locked up.’

                ‘Has been for some time,’ Trav headed towards the back doorway. ‘You really need to get your chronometer calibrated, dude.’

                ‘Y’know,’ T2 devilishly whispered to Fanger. ‘I could inadvertently send him on an unexpected detour to Pompeii.’

                ‘Tempting,’ Fanger slightly grinned, envisioning the Locanshite’s shocked expression. ‘But no.’

                ‘I’d pull him out before Vesuvius erupted,’ she insisted, and then glanced over at the door Trav had entered. ‘Maybe.’

Regardless of the brief, jovial atmosphere, Sarah promptly registered her cousin’s behavior.  Normally Fanger was direct to the point with situations.  Except on rare instances, when he took things on a roundabout nature, it meant he was greatly troubled about something.  She knew it was about The Doctor.  Particularly since she had learned about the Time War from K9, after he had been reconstructed by The Doctor.  Although she felt grateful her cousin was spared these atrocities, Sarah noticed how Fanger appeared obsessed with his own personal investigations.

                ‘All right.’ Fanger calmly flicked a switch.  The anomalous representation of Jack’s Timeline pulled itself from its flat screen confinement. ‘Best we focus more on the problem at hand.’ Twisting a dial, he summoned forth a holographic image of a man.  Slightly in his forties, he sported a crew cut, wore a black jumpsuit, leather jacket and ropers.  Jack recognised him as the Ninth Doctor.  Sarah seemed stunned since she never imagined the Time Lord becoming a punk rocker.  The last time she saw him, he was a little fat man wearing a hat and sweater stitched with question marks.  Then later as slim, younger version of him wearing a crumpled suit and overcoat.

                ‘After the Time War,’ Fanger explained, inspecting the image. ‘The Doctor regenerated into this form. Though my memory’s a bit foggy, I vaguely know he was transported to the ParaCouncil Realm.’  He recalled how the Time Lord regained his vehicle. ‘Thanks to my private Workshop, Fanstar was able to reconstruct the TARDIS.’

                Sarah and Jack never once thought anything could harm the TARDIS.  But Sarah remembered when the craft had once lost power when she and the Third Doctor had been travelling too close to a planet, which also shorted out the Daleks’ power as well.  Jack also recalled how the TARDIS had its limits and needed to be recharged occasionally now that Gallifrey was gone.

                ‘Well,’ Fanger admitted, ‘now you see why I’m concerned, Jack. Fanstar installed a Chronocosmizcon.’  He revealed a strange, hourglass-shaped energy source. ‘My own invention, which helps a TARDIS generate its own power rather than being tethered by other energy sources.’

                ‘Wait,’ Sarah frowned. ‘You’re saying someone might’ve sabotaged the TARDIS?’

                ‘Possibility.’ Fanger knew his Hijan would never make such a mistake. ‘Because I find it strange The Doctor wasn’t warned about the anomalies within his previous Incarnation.’

                According to the Paranormal Time Lord, The Doctor’s troubles started when he had been pursuing the Nestene Consciousness across the Universe.  Originally he had tracked it down upon Earth, where it was making trouble again with the Autons.  Sarah and Jack knew about the horrible, animated plastic statues coming to life and murdering people.  But Fanger indicated Cardiff wasn’t exactly the first place the being had landed.

                ‘About the same time I awoke from my prolonged slumber,’ Fanger admitted. ‘Found CD cases were chomping people, listeners getting strangled by iPod earphones over here.’

                ‘Not surprising,’ Jack noted. ‘Houston and Baytown aren’t exactly environmental-friendly.’

                ‘Ah,’ Sarah recalled how the Nestene liked feeding off pollution.  More specifically, petroleum-based products, since they were essentially organic plastic.

                ‘Wound up at the local Exxon Plant over here,’ Fanger recalled. ‘If I remember, you were doing an investigative report here and met Chris.’

                Indeed Sarah had.  In reality, Sarah had been covering another story altogether. A new telecommunications firm headed by the mysterious, Seth Entron, when her investigations had led her to Christopher Engle and the Exxon Plant.  Fanger had helped her and Chris when they uncovered the Autons residing within one of the plant manufacturing centres.  But Sarah recalled it was extremely cross with her cousin, just as the F-Clones had entered into the fray.

                ‘Doesn’t care for Wolf-Beings, I imagine?’ Jack smiled.

                ‘Actually,’ Fanger indistinctly recollected. ‘It was pissed because it thought The Doctor and I had split it into two.’

                ‘But that’s not possible,’ Jack knew enough about Nestene anatomy. ‘Doesn’t it die if it gets broken apart?’

                ‘Normally, yes,’ Fanger checked on one of the indicators. ‘But when T2 performed a scan, she noted it wasn’t physically separated, but dimensionally.  Apparently it was travelling through a dangerous Time Cabinet based on zygma waves. The destination was really set for Harris County, but a malfunction sent another version of it to Cardiff.’

                ‘Meaning someone was messing about with Time,’ Jack concluded. ‘Probably nothing, someone was distracting you both, perhaps?’

                ‘Considered that,’ Fanger added. ‘But as Sarah and I have learned, nothing is simple as it seems. Why go to all that trouble? And I know the Nestene would never make a grave error by provoking the F-Clones.’

Fanger cited other examples as he started operating the panel controls.  After The Doctor had taken Rose about three million years into the Future, as the Earth was in its final days, they had inexplicably wound up within an unknown alien museum in Utah.  Both Sarah and Jack acknowledged the infamous place.  From her own investigative reporting, the museum was an outlandish collection owned by the eccentric, power mad, Henry Van Statten.  She never comprehended why someone wanted collecting things like Cybermen, Slitheen, Sontarans, and Daleks.  Jack, on the other hand, perceived it was one of Torchwood’s unscrupulous compounds used for storing alien artefacts.

                ‘Wrong on both accounts,’ Fanger knew Van Statten might have been wealthy, but not the intelligence for acquiring these oddities.  Torchwood wasn’t exactly known for allowing some philanthropist collecting invaluable extraterrestrial technology for the fun of it. ‘The complex was an F-Clone Acquisition Containment facility. Mainly because of two things: One, Seth’s company owns the property it was on and was leasing out the place to Statten, and Two, when have you ever heard of a Dalek being held by standard, steel chains?’

                ‘Wait,’ Jack remembered The Doctor claiming the Dalek had tumbled through Time after the War. ‘Don’t tell me, the F-Clones brought the Dalek down and captured it?’

                ‘Why do you think it was heavily damaged before Rose established contact with it?’ Fanger inquired.

                ‘She did what?’ Sarah knew she’d never do something that stupid.  That is, until Fanger pointed out when she and Harry had voluntarily walked into Davros’ laboratory while searching for The Doctor.

                ‘As with the Nestene Incident,’ Fanger twisted a control. ‘I never thought much about it, until The Doctor accidentally gained a temporal Companion.’

                The Ninth Doctor’s image became replaced with a young, dark-haired man wearing a shirt, slacks and shoes.  Judging from his guests’ displeasing expressions, Fanger suspected they were well-acquainted with the man.

                ‘Adam Mitchell,’ Sarah disgustedly replied.  Once on assignment in Washington, she recalled how this vile person had nearly set off World War III.  Apparently he had not only hacked into the US Department of Defense, but Adam had obtained the launch codes for this country’s missiles.  It was worse than when Hilda Winters, head of the Scientific Reform Society—the SRS—had attempted obtaining the world’s launch codes.  Making matters worse, after she had foiled Adam’s plans, the boy was not one bit remorseful at what he had done.  In fact, he almost appeared inhuman.

                Jack, on the other hand, had a worse encounter with Mr. Mitchell.  Recently Torchwood was investigating the theft of scientist’s minds, as if someone had been using a mind-draining device on them.  Much to his team’s chagrin and dismay, the mind-draining device was none other than Mr. Mitchell himself!  Using some type of new cybernetic implant, Mr. Mitchell could literally access and drain a person’s thoughts, memories and experiences, leaving his victims completely blank.  Surprisingly, when Ianto Jones had become Adam’s next victim, an unlikely ally had come to his rescue.

                ‘He looked like a muscular version of your Fourth self,’ Jack described the being. ‘Claimed he was an F-Clone but wasn’t like the others we’ve encountered.’

                ‘Fantron,’ Sarah identified. ‘But why would he help you against… Adam..?’

                Fanger somberly nodded. ‘Adam Mitchell was a GenetAug agent for the F-Clones. Why do you think he just happened to be in the Statten museum?  And he didn’t fear the Dalek like the others?’

                Suddenly an image materialised with Fanger and The Doctor—Sarah’s new Doctor—having a conversation about Mr. Mitchell.

                ‘One thing, Doctor,’ Fanger inquired. ‘How did you know Adam was an F-Clone agent?’

                ‘What?’ The Doctor incredulously stared. ‘Adam Mitchell? That git? An F-Clone..? No, no… Really?  No… Well, I did think he was acting a bit too strange back on Satellite Five. And the whole “cashing in on the Future” thing, rather clichéd.’

                ‘Not to mention allowing himself to be augmented like that.’ Fanger indicated. ‘Never seen cybernetic implants be readily accepted by one’s body.’

                ‘You mean Adam travelled with The Doctor?’ Jack demanded.

                Fanger explained, while the image dematerialised before them, Adam had secretly tricked Rose into convincing The Doctor into taking them along. ‘It happened when the F-Clones secretly ordered the compound to be eradicated, and Van Statten mindwiped. Adam pretended he had no place to go, so they took him along. And that’s when the whole Chronorupturation Effect started.’

                Spinning a trackball control, Fanger relocated the ChronoSpheric grid.

                ‘The Doctor and Rose went to what they thought was Satellite Five.’

                ‘You mean, “The GameStation,” don’t you?’ Jack watched as Fanger used the grid for summoning the image.

                ‘No, Jack,’ Fanger reproached. ‘I mean, “Satellite Five.” Activating the small, inset holoscreen, he called up the Chronoscope. ‘The Doctor never was accurate with Future History. As with Washington didn’t reside in the White House, the Fourth Earth Empire did not originate on Earth.  In fact, no Tellurians were permitted on Earth after 2157.’

                ‘Of course,’ Sarah recalled Fanger once telling her about the event. ‘The Great Fall Out.’

                ‘Yes,’ Jack now remembered. ‘Didn’t that result in a dimensional rift, bringing forth Digimon or something?’

                ‘Pokémon,’ Fanger corrected. ‘Thanks to the radiation, they genetically evolved into PokéMorphs.  Afterwards they proclaimed Earth as theirs since the inhabitants abandoned it.’ 

                ‘Didn’t your Fifth self become Lord President of the two colonised worlds, Fangaria and Terra II?’  Jack had learned about the Earth Empire from the Agency’s Conservatory.

                ‘Constructed Biospheres, you mean,’ Fanger tapped a few of the keys, revealing The Doctor, Rose and Adam on Satellite Five. ‘But you get the idea, anyway, I thought at first the TARDIS might’ve purposely malfunctioned.’

                ‘Think Mum suspected Adam wasn’t who he claimed he was, eh?’ T2 concluded. ‘But what made you suspect it wasn’t the case?’

                Fanger programmed the Chronoscope where it revealed an unusual alien lifeform. It appeared as a gelatinous mass with teeth, suspended above the massive ceiling overhead.  Sarah and Jack had both encountered the creature before in their own investigations.  It was the Jagrafess.  According to The Doctor, the creature had been set within Satellite Five and had been controlling humankind for about one hundred years.

                ‘One problem though,’ Fanger detected the slight abnormality within the Time Lord’s tale. ‘The Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe are subthermalised gastropods.’

                ‘Affirmative.’ K9 agreed. ‘Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe unable for normal means of intergalactic travel. Space vacuum lethal to biogenetic structure.’

            ‘Their bodies shrivel and evaporate in the vacuum of space,’ Fanger translated. ‘Also they can’t exist in a pressurised cabin since the result would be like you caught in a decompressing airlock.’

                Sarah now comprehended her cousin’s qualms. ‘So someone had to teleport it, then?’

                ‘Perhaps,’ Jack also knew the Jagrafess required constant subthermal temperatures for survival. ‘But you’d need massive amounts of power to do so.’ He then turned towards Fanger. ‘Some displaced Time Lords we don’t know about?’

                ‘Scanned several galactic quadrants and localised dimensions,’ Fanger admitted. ‘Unfortunately we found no indications of other TARDIS units, or any Time Force Energy in the area.’

                ‘But the Chronorupturation still remains,’ Jack noted. ‘So when I met Rose and The Doctor?’

                ‘My fault on that one, Jack,’ Fanger pointed out the spell he used for protecting The Doctor during the Time War, was similar to the one The Inquisitor used on Jack. ‘The ParaForce kicked in and had your and The Doctor’s Timeline intersect.  But as you noted, about several hundred years later, you guys wound up on an altered version of Satellite Five.’

                Fanger recalled how the Emperor Dalek had fallen through Time, concealing himself within Satellite Five, creating warped versions of game and reality shows for its own sadistic goals.  But there was one item missing from the formula.

                ‘The F-Clones,’ Sarah deduced. ‘I mean, if you’re broadcasting world domination, they would’ve showed up to stop the Emperor Dalek’s plans.’

                Fanger knew the reason why they didn’t.  Because the entire events didn’t exist in the Universal Time Line.  The reason it appeared the Emperor Dalek was triumphant was due to the fact the Chronorupturation made it appear that way.  When Rose used the TARDIS to reveal the Vortex to her, all she really did was dissipate the anomaly, thus erasing the Daleks from Time itself.  As for Satellite Five, it reverted back into being a storage satellite, and the inhabitants were teleported to their proper place in Time and Space.

Recalling his last moments against the Daleks, Jack speculated if this was the reason behind him coming back to life.  Obviously, when Rose had mysteriously realigned Reality back into its proper state, the Time Reset had inexplicably granted him with Immortality.

                Secretly Fanger distinguished the truth behind Jack’s nonconformity.  Once meeting the agent before, the Paranormal Time Lord detected the faint scent of Immortalis emanating from Jack’s body.   Factoring the Dalek attack and the Chronoforce involved, Fanger determined Rose had somehow corrected Jack’s biogenetic structure.  Otherwise, they would’ve been dealing with a time-traveling creature, a Lost Soul, rampaging through the Cosmos.

                Nevertheless, the Chronoscope sprang with life once more.  Responding to Fanger’s telepathic request, it revealed the event where The Doctor had sacrificed himself, in order to save Rose from the Vortex’s deadly energies.  Of course, Sarah wasn’t keen on witnessing the Time Lord embracing Rose.  Especially since The Doctor never once kissed her during their adventures.  But her jealously had subsided when she witnessed the Time Lord’s instant Regeneration.  Visions of the white-haired dandy collapsing had entered her mind, after he helped rescue Earth from the giant spiders.  Sarah remembered when The Doctor transmogrified from the dandy, into the all-teeth-and-curls, long-scarf wearing man.  Yet, she never seen the process happen quite so fast before.

                Jack, however, seemed more concerned with Fanger.  Usually Fanger possessed a nonchalant attitude, despite learning about Gallifrey’s untimely demise.  Except the Paranormal Time Lord bore an extremely studious expression while viewing the event.  As if he was searching for something concealed within the scene itself.

                Deactivating the Chronoscope and observatory screen, Fanger turned towards them.  Feeling he provided enough background info about why he commenced with this investigation, he decided on briefing his guest as to why he brought them here.

                ‘After making several repairs with the TARDIS,’ he calmly explained. ‘I noticed several important components were missing.  At first, I thought The Doctor was doing patchwork modifications again.’

                Sarah definitely knew what her cousin was talking about.  On several occasions, Fanger and The Doctor would enter heated debates on why a temporal spatial stabliser was being used for a dimensional differentiator.  Or why a part her cousin had installed had been removed and used for something completely different.

                ‘But on closer inspection, I noticed these items were removed without The Doctor’s knowledge.’ Fanger walked over towards the FoodSynth dispenser.  Touching a few keys, he summoned up a can of green tea and opened it. ‘Checking the TARDIS Log, I discovered he, Rose and Mickey had inadvertently been pulled into a parallel dimension.’

                ‘That must have been after they helped K9 and I fight the Krillitanes.’ Sarah admitted.

                ‘Krillitanes?’  Fanger crinkled his nose disgustedly. ‘They’re still alive?’

                ‘Well, we kind of torched them, you see.’

                ‘Ah,’ Fanger now comprehended why K9 appeared rather new this time around. ‘Pity, fancy a good, fried Krillitane right about now.’ He absent-mindedly licked his lips. ‘Can’t be helped, I suppose.’

                Sarah never apprehended if her cousin was joking at times like this.  After all, they were both kin to the Addamses, so anything was possible.  Even Cousin Itt had helped her out of a jam once.  Jack simply took it in stride, explaining once The Inquisitor had held a Krillitane Cook-Out in Andromeda.

                ‘Anyway,’ Fanger returned to the subject at hand. ‘I wasn’t shocked at how they ended up there but where.  Earth-Gamma—Earth-G—to be precise.’

                ‘Wait,’ Sarah’s mind registered the day Fanger had entered into his Seventh Regeneration. ‘Wasn’t that one of the Parallel Earths you went to for…’

                ‘..collecting the TARDIS 2 Components? Yes,’ Fanger then brought up another anomaly. ‘Sarah, do you and Jack recall when your investigations collided? Some inexplicable haunting on a global scale?’

                Jack knew exactly what Fanger was talking about.  Torchwood One, the London branch, had discovered a strange sphere.  Not only that, but a breach between dimensions as well.  Utilising a gigantic version of a CVE Transit, they had been summoning what people thought were ghosts.  But much to everyone chagrin, the phantoms were really shadow versions of the Cybermen.

                But Sarah noticed these were nothing like the Cybermen she had encountered.  Fanger indicated that was because these Cybermen originated from Earth-G.  Evidently, realising the Chronorupturation Effect was pointless, someone had done something worse.

                Once again the Chronoscope awoke and showed images of a dark-haired man wearing a crumpled shirt, black coat and oversized trousers.  Sarah knew this was also The Doctor when she had been unexpectedly whisked to the Death Zone.  Jack hardly believed the two men he knew as The Doctor were both once this funny little man.  Briefly it told the story of the Cybermen Invasion attempt of Earth through a company known as International Electromatics.  Fanger elucidated The Doctor encountered a similar event on Earth-G, through a company called Cybus Industries.  At first, Jack and Sarah found nothing out-of-the-ordinary with this information.

                Until the Paranormal Time Lord established one underlying revelation about Earth-G.

                ‘Approximately twenty years ago, all forms of technology—other than communication—was outlawed. So the million dollar question is…’

                ‘How could something like Cybus Industries exist?’ Jack confirmed.

                ‘Or how it could stay prosperous enough for it engineering Cybermen?’ Sarah added.

                ‘But the real clincher is why would the Cybermen-G want to invade our Earth?’ Fanger knew the Cybermen here, as with the Daleks and F-Clones, didn’t fancy competition. ‘If our Cybermen discovered them, next to the Daleks, all hell would break loose.’ He weakly smiled. ‘And I’m sugar-coating it a bit.’

                Fanger secretly was thankful The Doctor had ensnared the Daleks and Cybermen into the Void.  For he knew the truth behind the Genesis Ark, and seriously doubted the pepperpot beings might’ve enjoyed the surprise awaiting them after the one-millionth Dalek had escaped.

                Returning back towards the topic at hand, the Paranormal Time Lord brought his guests up to speed.  Both Sarah and Jack had been investigating strange events occurring at local power and chemical plants.  Mysterious light force explosions started appearing without rhyme or reason.  Fanger learned about these disruptions through his current co-manager, Jake Hennington.

                ‘Jake’s finally graduated where he’s now working safety for these plants,’ Fanger explained. ‘And as you’ve both discovered, the oddity behind these explosions is..’

                ‘No damage to the plants whatsoever,’ Jack concluded, noting how Torchwood had been investigating in Cardiff when the new power plant had opened up. ‘But it’s agitating the Rift.’

                ‘Explaining why Dustin’s been laid up with stomach problems,’ Fanger perceived his other associate was writing it off as ‘food poisoning.’  After all, how does one explain the source of one’s nausea stems from dimensional disruptions instead of bad food? ‘The Baytown Rift is also acting up as well.’

                ‘You think these disruptions and the Cybermen-Dalek Invasion attempt are somehow connected?’ Sarah inquired.

                ‘Possibility.’ Fanger activated the inset monitor. ‘Been studying the disruptions, wondering why the CVE Transit points are these plants.’

Before going any further with their conversation, T2 was receiving a communications from the Exxon Plant.  Fanger immediately took the call.  It was Chris, who had been working late-night security detail.  Though his information sounded sketchy, from what Fanger determined, another explosion was about to commence.  Realising it might be an invaluable clue, the Paranormal Time Lord headed out of the Main Console Room.

                ‘T2,’ he instructed. ‘Have Chitty ready.  Before you two ask, no, you stay here.’

                ‘What?’ Sarah demanded, watching her cousin take his jacket.

                ‘Don’t you think we should come as backup, Fan?’ Jack insisted. ‘You’ve no idea what’ll be up there.’

                Fanger turned on his heels, holding his hands up. ‘All the more reason you both need to stay here. If something should happen to me, you can contact help instantly. Besides, Sarah you need to check on K9, make certain there aren’t any side-effects with his upgrade. Jack, you need to contact the local Torchwood branch here and make certain they haven’t started doing something stupid.’

                ‘You mean like setting off on your own?’ Jack retorted.

                ‘Captain Jack Harkness.’ Fanger slowly uttered.

                ‘All right. I’ll make sure the Texas guys here haven’t besieged the plants.’

                Noticing Sarah’s concern, Fanger hugged her. ‘Don’t worry, Sarah, I’m going to observe and see Mr. Engle hasn’t gotten into something over his head. I should be back soon.’

                ‘All right.’ Sarah reluctantly agreed, as Fanger dashed out from the Main Console Room.  ‘Just be back soon.’

Driving amidst the vacant streets, Fanger observed the storm-laden skies.  Judging from the simultaneously-malfunctioning traffic lights, he determined another dimensional anomaly was occurring.  Fanger wondered how Dustin hadn’t been feeling these disruptions until now.  While his roadster, Chitty, cautiously streaked through the backstreets of Baytown, the Paranormal Time Lord speculated on why these anomalies were only producing iridescent explosions.

                Personally, he was partially relieved nothing was actually coming out from these dimensional hiccups.  The last thing anyone needed was another unexpected invasion.  After all, it was bad enough Fanger once inadvertently merged the TARDIS 2 with a local rental/video game store for preventing the Baytown Rift from becoming critical.  Calculating several factors here locally, globally, and on a dimensional scale, someone—or something—was going to extreme lengths for manipulating The Doctor’s Timeline.  Considering Fanger’s (for inexplicable reasons) own Timeline was now off-limits.  And it didn’t matter if the consequences affected the Multiverse adversely or not.

                Dismissing both Sarah and Jack was not an option Fanger wanted.  Especially since he did go to the trouble for bringing them to his TARDIS 2.  First off, he suspected K9 and Jack might’ve been useful.  While Jack kept Torchwood’s Harris County Branch at bay, K9 could analyse the explosions, and possibly discover the cause behind them.  Power plants did seem the obvious choice, but as he had pointed out to his guests, chemical plants were being hit as well.  Here’s where Sarah proved useful.  Though she didn’t possess major scientific skills, only having limited Paranormal attributes, she was incredibly resourceful, and knew also the best course of action for handling Paranormal and alien artefacts.

                Nevertheless, Chris’ cryptic request was unusually specific.

                Come alone. Bring no one. Peculiar, since Jake might’ve offered some invaluable assistance.  Jake knew enough about the safety biz to help find out if these explosions were indeed harmless.  The worst part of this crisis was, Fanger still had absolutely no idea who, or what, was orchestrating this mess.  If he acquired some vague inkling about the ones responsible, the Paranormal Time Lord could be better prepared for what awaited him.

                Approaching the Baytown Exxon Plant, Fanger sensed something rather amiss with the whole scene.  Instinctively reaching for his psychic paper, he acknowledged no one was at the security post.  Rather unusual, since he knew Chris always had someone stationed there, even if he was working alone.  Even the gate was set in the up position, meaning either someone wasn’t doing their job, or they were expecting him.  Gingerly making his way towards the front parking lot, the only vehicle residing there was Chris’ truck.  Not hard to miss, because Fanger once reconstructed the vehicle after the F-Clones had totaled it..  Mainly due to the fact, Chris’ insurance didn’t cover damage by F-Clone, and Fanger felt responsible for the incident.

                Parking Chitty next to the truck, Fanger cautiously activated his BioScan.  Registering only a few lifeforms, he felt as if this had been nothing more than an elaborate set-up.  But the Paranormal Time Lord calmly stepped out of the roadster, examining the main plant building.

Secretly he comprehended Chris was being used as bait.  If experience had educated him on anything, bait not promptly taken was immediately disposed of.  Right now Fanger did not want another innocent’s blood on his hands.  Hopefully, whomever was doing this, he hoped they perhaps only wanted a meeting with him.

Entering the dark, vast chemical plant warehouse, Fanger activated his infravision.  Silence sent chills down his spine, while he heard his footsteps against the marble floor.  The Paranormal Time Lord inspected the towering storage tanks and vats, his mind transported himself back when he first entered the chemical plant.  Back then, he had dark-hair and was sporting a more lupine appearance, and he had been on an entirely different investigation.

                At the time, there had been reports of a renegade Fangarian causing trouble throughout Baytown and Houston.  However, the reports did not fit the description of Dark Fanger, nor the F-Clones.  When his investigations tracked the imposter Fangarian down, Fanger had found himself searching inside the Exxon Baytown Plant.  And if memory served, it was when the Paranormal Time Lord had met Jidai Sakugo for the first time.  Gingerly, he vividly recalled the encounter definitely hadn’t gone well.

After conducting several searches, Fanger’s investigation led him upon a thorough inspection of the local power and chemical plants.  Apparently he went under the impression one of his relations had gone mental with ecology once again.  Except Fanger never dreamed of the possibility of encountering an alternate version of himself.

                Entering the Baytown Chemical Plant, just after Exxon had reconstructed it, the Paranormal Time Lord acknowledged the vastness of the place.  Especially the giant networks of pipes and tanks set neatly against the walls and mid-sections of the plant itself.  About halfway through his personal, late-night tour, Fanger had met the elusive Jidai Sakugo.

                Reminding him of a hybrid between Arthur Fonzarelli and James Dean, Fanger noticed Jidai Sakugo was decked out in leather.  Jacket, jeans, and ropers, Jidai also wore a black T-Shirt bearing a sapphire-mauve F-Clanscrest.  The being appeared as if he had stepped out of a biker magazine.

               

Aside from the fashion critique, the one component registering clearly within Fanger’s mind was Jidai’s sapphire ring.  Precisely because the being wasted no time using it upon the Paranormal Time Lord.  Fanger shuddered as his bones reminded him of the unpleasant experience.  He sagely realised what happens when one underestimates his opponent.

                Yet, that was then, and this is now.

                Without warning, Fanger’s muscles tensed as his back hairs stood on end.  Executing a well-timed back flip, he felt the parakinetic energy force streak past his head.  Landing safely at the far end of the area, Fanger noticed the bolt assault one of the steel poles.  Fortunately they were designed for withstanding intense forces, otherwise the bolt could’ve shattered it and probably cause the place to collapse.  And Fanger doubted there was anyway explaining how one bolt of energy could level an entire complex.

                 

                ‘Most impressive,’ the smooth voice approvingly noted. ‘I’d expect no less from a Fangarian.’ Stepping out from the shadows, a young, dark-haired man came into view. Appearing in his early-thirties, his suit and sweater gave the illusion he was fresh out of business school, or perhaps a government official.  Consequently Fanger detected two elements shattering deception.

                One, the pseudo-Tellurian was flicking his tail.

                A Wolf’s tail.

                Two, the man’s glasses weren’t exactly Earth prescription.  Though the wire-frame construction definitely possessed a Tellurian design, its lenses were not of this world. 

                Solarandex. Fanger acknowledged them. Not your average sunglasses. Secretly he knew they were modified, since they essentially adjust themselves with ultraviolet light. Except here Fanger noticed they were apparently concealing the being’s illuminating eyes.

                Tombeurian. Fanger analysed the intruder’s bioscent, though his eyes informed him the being was someone completely different.

                ‘Dr. Atkins, I presume?’ He recognised him as the new district head for the Baytown Exxon Plant.  Of course, Fanger wondered why the being favoured so much publicity.  All the media had been reporting stories about how he was revolutionising plant efficiency and safety.  Although he never fancied the man himself, nor did Chris, because it seemed Atkins appeared a bit too perfect.  Always wearing suits, or sweaters, coming off more like a well-bred professor than a plant official.  He claimed he was appointed by Harris County, however, Fanger discovered the Chronoscope had nothing on Atkins, except what the man had printed on his files.  Now, the Paranormal Time Lord comprehended why:  Atkins was also a Paranormal Wolf-Being.  Judging from the PKE Bolt, a most dangerous one at that.

                Atkins wryly smiled, adjusting his glasses. ‘Seems we both are working late, are we not, Little One?’  Slightly lowering them, he revealed his sapphire, serpentine eyes. ‘Obviously, you still have no clue about my true identity, I see.’

                Fanger raised an eyebrow. ‘Other than you being either a Locanshite or a Cipherian, nope.’ He shook his head. ‘Haven’t the foggiest, I’m afraid.’ 

                The truth was Fanger suspected Atkins may have been more than some displaced Clanstribe member.  But for now, his main concern was locating Chris.  A foreboding sense implied Atkins may have cast a spell upon the Tellurian.  Thus it was imperative Fanger keep the being busy until he could figure it out.

                At first, Atkins presumed his guest was playing the ignorant fool.  Until on closer inspection, he sensed Fanger’s mind was lacking the infodata pertaining about him.  Rather overwhelming, since practically every Clanstribe, Time Lord and Gallifreyan had known about the Great War.  Let alone the Genet War.  Do these imbeciles only know of The Onslaught?  Even at the Academy and the Tombeurian Academia, they at least taught about Ancient Gallifrey.  Atkins realized why Fanger had absolutely no idea who he was.

                ‘Of course,’ he closed his eyes, smiling towards his brief bemusement. ‘I forgot, they desired in protecting Lord Fangarius, the youngest of the Seventh Generation. Even if it meant concealing his own heritage from him.’ Eyes slowly opening, they crackled slightly. ‘As well as Forbidden Legends perhaps?’

                ‘Great Rassilon,’ Fanger rolled his eyes. ‘You’re an Ancient.’

                Atkins raised an eyebrow.  Fanger’s current disposition was not quite what he was expecting.

                ‘No offence, mate.’ He sighed. ‘But you’re about several incarnates late, I’m afraid.  Been there, done that.’ Fanger slightly smiled. ‘But I’ll admit you’re a bit more social than the last one I encountered.’

                Atkins pushed his glasses back while he vaguely grimaced at the subtle stench emanating from the Paranormal Time Lord.

                ‘Grandier.’ He hissed bitterly.

                ‘Know him, do you?’ Fanger recalled when he and Alex had travelled into the far-flung future. ‘Yes, well, can’t blame you for not liking him. Paramorph and all, attempting on stealing my San’Frelan’s body. Taking over a forgotten colony in the 88^th Century, or was it 98th?’ He racked his memories momentarily. ‘Been so long, doesn’t really matter. He got sent back in the Crystalia, I suppose.’

                Atkins patience was wearing thin, until Fanger’s conversation took a serious tone.

                ‘However, Mr. Atkins, though the Forgotten Legends record your existence, it’s not I don’t remember.’ He somberly admitted. ‘Your History has been classified as Conoscen Proibitan.’

                ‘Ah,’ Atkins now comprehended. ‘So even if you did know my true self.’

                ‘Security measures would prevent me from recalling, and revealing, the infodata.’ Fanger concluded.  Though the Time Lords implemented these protective measures, he knew the Tombeurian Clanstribes were responsible for concealing many secrets.  One reason Fanger was first trained as a Legendskeeper.  Many Legends about Gallifrey, the Universe, Multiverse and everything was kept under his vigilant watch.  But it also served another purpose, as Fanger remembered.  Legends were vital for developing a civilisation’s existence, forming their diverse culture, and comprehending their place within the ChronoSphere.  Otherwise, a civilisation was nothing more than just beings surviving without a purpose.

                In essence, Fanger’s Legendskeeping skills prepared him for becoming a Time Lord at the Academy. In fact, they greatly assisted his challenge in the Syli’Dal-Chi, as well as observing the ChronoSphere itself.

                Ironically, maintaining every Legend, Folklore, History contained within the limitless Universe and Beyond, had given Fanger a remarkable sense of proportion.  Unlike some who dared forgo the proper rites before viewing the unknown forces.

                Nevertheless, Fanger knew Mr. Atkins was not something to be taken lightly.

                ‘One wonders why you’re here though,’ Fanger scanned the area. ‘No modified equipment, nor unauthorised enchantments.’ He accusingly stared at Atkins. ‘Yet, something tells me you’re responsible for these disruptions.’

                ‘Can’t take all the credit, you know,’ Atkins casually stepped towards Fanger. ‘You’ve figured out about the dimensional warp caused by the two Rifts. One here, and the other in Cardiff.’

                Fanger knew Torchwood One London had been poking about with things they knew nothing about.  Confiscating alien and Paranormal equipment was one thing, but attempting implementation with it was an entirely different matter.  Especially where the Cybermen and Daleks were involved.

                ‘Why don’t I spare you the lengthy, boring version, and simply cut to the chase?’ Atkins warmly smiled. ‘No doubt you realise my associates have been tinkering with The Doctor’s Timeline. Though I’ll admit the Daleks and Cybermen were an unexpected side-effect, the purpose has been achieved.’

                The realisation rose up through Fanger’s body like a drug. ‘You’re saying you lot did all this, just for finding me?’

                ‘More like flushing you out, Little One.’ Atkins indicated The Doctor wasn’t stupid. ‘We knew you were here in Baytown. Placed within a SuspensChamber, however, due to certain precautionary measures, we could not…’

                ‘Kidnap me?’ Fanger demanded.

                ‘Let’s just say establish contact with you,’ Atkins lowered his glasses, examining his guest. ‘You’re not exactly an average Tombeurian, let alone Fangarian.’

                Fanger narrowed his eyes.  He perceived Atkins wasn’t making gentle conversation.  Right now, the Paranormal Time Lord speculated on why Atkins wasn’t attacking him outright after the first spellbolt.  Using his olfactory senses, Fanger detected Chris’ presence, but he couldn’t pinpoint the Tellurian’s Bioscent.

                ‘He’s safe, by the way.’ Atkins smiled. ‘Mr. Engle, I mean.’

                ‘Keep him out of this, Atkins,’ Fanger slowly warned. ‘He has no business with all of this, and you know it.’

                Of course, the statement sounded as if they were starring in some bad science-fiction film.  Consequently Fanger wanted it clear if it really was about him, then no one else needed getting involved with this.  Regrettably, Atkins didn’t share the similar sentiment.

                ‘Come now, Little One,’ he chillingly spoke. ‘He’s been embroiled in this since you first met him. As with Ms. Tyler, I’m afraid. Even if The Doctor wasn’t aware of it.’

                ‘Rose?’ Fanger wondered how she was involved, other than her journeys with The Doctor. ‘How does she fit into this?’

                ‘We needed keeping tabs on The Doctor, did we not?’ Atkins grinned. ‘Though she wasn’t exactly our first candidate. Believe me, when The Doctor first Regenerated after the Time War, it was difficult locating him, let alone finding a suitable Companion for him.’

                ‘So basically,’ Fanger deduced. ‘You were keeping him distracted long enough for your own schemes.’ He suspiciously stared at Atkins. ‘Why keep The Doctor preoccupied, eh? He’s not exactly stupid, you know.’

                ‘He wouldn’t comprehend our vision, Little One.’ Atkins slipped his glasses back, then closed his eyes. ‘Besides I’d be more concerned with yourself than The Doctor’s.’

                Before Fanger apprehended the situation, an icy blast hit him from behind.  Muscles tensing, his body felt a deep burning sensation course throughout every molecule of his being. M..magn..magnalite…Fanger recognised the Paranormal-neutralising element as he became rigid.  Despite his immobilisation, he noticed out of the corner of his eye his assailant.

                Chris stood there, holding the pistol at fore.  Except he seemed statuesque, meaning he was under some form of enchantment.

                ‘Forgive me,’ Atkins sincerely apologised. ‘Normally I detest implementing dirty tactics, but we’re on a tight schedule, and I simply don’t have time for a battle.’

                Fanger wondered who else was comprised in this, while he also felt foolish.  So concerned with Atkins, he left his back wide open.  Nonetheless, his mind speculated the beings behind manipulating The Doctor’s Timeline.  As well as orchestrating this multidimensional disaster, since he knew the Earth-G Cybermen hadn’t the technology for developing CVE-Transit between parallel worlds.

                Materialising next to Atkins were three familiar beings, all humanesque, but alien in nature.  The young, blonde-haired man wearing a blue sweater, striped shirts and slacks approached him.  As with Atkins, his serpentine eyes, dark headband and wolf’s-tail told Fanger a different story.

                ‘Greetings, Little One,’ he introduced himself. ‘I am Adama.  Cipherian, if you’ve not figured it out.’

                Fanger absolutely had no idea who the man was, but he did acknowledge the Clanstribe. They were the infamous Cipher Wolves who emerged from the Genet War.  Legends claimed they were responsible for the decimation of the Clanstribes, until Rassilon had intervened.  Though Fanger had encountered several members, Adama was a complete mystery.

                ‘No regrets,’ Adama sensed Fanger’s disdain. ‘We were both rather young when we met. I’ve waited so long meeting up with you, Little One. As with the Time Lord, you are quite prominent.’

                ‘Adama,’ a recognisable voice berated. ‘We did not come here for you flattering the Little One.’

                Strangely enough, the other was Keanu.  Except Fanger noticed he wasn’t wearing his robes, but instead a suit.  His headband was also replaced with a diadem.  No.. not my Keanu.. He couldn’t comprehend the paralysis, since Magnalite was only supposed to neutralise his powers.

                ‘I’m Emperor Keanu,’ he corrected, staring directly at Fanger. ‘Don’t bother resisting, the Magnalite staser we gave Mr. Engle has been modified with an immobiliser.’ He inspected him cautiously. ‘Can’t see how you defeated my nephew, but you’ll do.’

                Nephew… Fanger began putting two-and-two together. Great Rassilon, Gari’s uncle… After battling with his parallel counterpart, the Paranormal Time Lord never fathomed Gari’s relations might come round looking for payback.

                ‘Revenge?’ Keanu distastefully remarked. ‘No, Fangarius, I’ve no need for such primitive notions. Besides, what we have planned is far more productive. Which reminds me..’ He checked his watch. ‘We should be wrapping this up soon.’

                Atkins frowned. ‘Pity, I wished chatting with our Lord Fangarius some more. Ah, well. Mr. Mitchell.’

                Fanger definitely didn’t like where this was leading as he immediately observed the well-built, dark-haired man approach him.  Naturally, this wasn’t the original Adam Mitchell, but the F-Clone Upgrade.  One which Fanger had already encountered before, and it was not under the best circumstances.  Then again, when were circumstances right whenever F-Clone technology was involved?

                Adam slightly grinned as he approached his frozen prey.  Fanger already knew what was unfolding next.

                ‘We never did finish our session, did we, Fanger?’ He automatically snapped his fingers.  The implant activated, sliding open and revealing his frontal lobes. ‘Acquisitioning commence. SPIKE!’

                Neutronic forces surged from the implant as they expelled an intense psionic beam directly at Fanger.  Establishing contact with the Paranormal Time Lord’s forehead, it seized Fanger’s mind while Adam concentrated.

                ‘Acquisition Fangarius.’ He hypnotically commanded. ‘Complete Mind Acquisition.’

                Feeling his memories being stolen from his mind, Fanger recalled what Trav had educated him about Adam Mitchell’s mind-draining capabilities.  Defensively, he wasted no time preparing his course of action.  Just because he was immobilised and powerless didn’t mean he was completely helpless.

                Adam scowled as he increased the process. ‘Fangarius is blocking Acquisition. He is downloading trivial nonsense as a preventative measure. Cannot continue process without mental damage.’

                ‘Why can’t we simply mindwipe him?’ Keanu protested. ‘After all, do we not require only his body?’

                ‘Unacceptable,’ Adama stated. ‘Then the Little One would be a mindless idiot. We only desire for erasing his memories, not his knowledge.’

                ‘Not to mention his connection with The Doctor,’ Atkins sighed. ‘He’d instantly discover our plans. Subtly is the key here.’

                Fanger, on the other hand, wasn’t just resisting Adam’s brain drain.  Recalling how mind probes functioned, he was secretly accessing Adam’s mind.  If Atkins and Adama weren’t telling him why they were doing this, at least he could acquisition some infodata on his own.  Disturbingly he discovered they wanted him all right, but as for Chris Engle…             

                ‘He’s expendable,’ Adam deftly spoke. ‘Once we have acquisitioned you, he shall be liquidated.’

                ‘Regrettable,’ Atkins added. ‘But we shall make it swift and painless, we aren’t completely heartless.’

                Infuriated with their apathy, Fanger mustered up enough power for sending biofeedback towards Adam.  Remarkably, the disruptive force temporarily short-circuited Adam’s psionic assault.  Eyes flashing wildly, he intensified his beam upon the Paranormal Time Lord.

                Fanger desperately kept up the defense until he felt another presence.

                Cool, cool..

                Jake? He was the last person Fanger wanted involved with this.  Even though the disruptions were jeopardising his job.  But then, when he noticed the figure standing smartly next to Adam, Fanger knew something was amiss.  Though he resembled the young man greatly, his spiked hair and outfit told a different story.  Vaguely, he recalled meeting this version once during his Fifth Incarnation. 

                Consequently with Adam draining away his memories, Fanger failed concentrating on his Past.  Without warning, he felt himself now slipping away, as if his defenses had been completely neutralised.

                Relax, Bud, everything’ll be cool-cool. You’ve no reason to resist anymore.

                Fanger felt himself mentally regressing back through his former selves, while Adama and Atkins calmly observed him.

                Keanu, on the other hand, suspected things were going a bit too smoothly.  From what he had learned about the Paranormal Time Lord, his resourcefulness always gave him a way out of desperate situations.

Preoccupied with Fanger’s predicament, nobody thought twice about Chris.  Mysteriously, a strange band materialised over his left arm.  Activating itself, the device shattered the enchantment over him.  Aiming the Magnalite staser he shot at Adam.  When something astonishing occurred as the beam met its target.  Rather than establishing contact with Adam, the beam instantly dispersed him into nothing.  Immediately attacking the pseudo-Jake, forcing him onto the ground temporarily.

                Released from the psionic force, Fanger’s legs buckled while his memories slowly returned.

                ‘Doesn’t.. feel so hot.. doesn’t it?’ Blood trickling from his mouth, Fanger knew the force had done a number on him physically as well.

                Holding the staser at fore, Chris ran over to him. ‘Sorry about that, you all right?’

                ‘Ask me.. in about several minutes..’ Fanger coughed. ‘Damn, I really hate those things!’

                ‘Once again, you’ve proven to be a great annoyance to me, Mr. Engle,’ Atkins eyes now flared under his glasses. ‘One I shall ultimately rectify!’  Flexing his hand, the plasiflesh glove began dissolving, revealing its true form.  Illuminating with polychromatic force, it indicated he wasn’t planning on casting a subjugation enchantment.

                Level Eleven… Fanger terrifyingly registered the PK Force emanating from Atkins.  Only an Ancient managed Paranormal Forces beyond Level Ten.  Though weakened, and only a Level Seven Paranormal, he knew protecting Chris was his first priority.  Concentrating, Fanger summoned every vestige of strength and force within his being.  Secretly he realised he’d never stop whatever Atkins threw at him, however, he could at least slow it down.

                Crimson glow came from his F-Clanscrest, causing an iridescent orb to form round Chris.  Atkins began uttering an obscure incantation, while Fanger mentally did the same.  Strong winds started inundating the plant, unaffecting the others but sending the temperature towards absolute zero.

                Cautiously lifting himself up, Fanger now stood in front of his encapsulated Companion.  Clanscrest intensifying, it conjured forth another orb round Fanger and Chris.  The maelstrom about them continued growing stronger and stronger until everything decelerated as if someone activated slow frame.

                Extending his arm, Atkins hurled the massive bolt towards them.  Coming towards him like a comet, Fanger closed his eyes, preparing for the worst.  The last moments he recalled was feeling the blast directly.  Upon impact, Fanger felt his muscles tense while it seemed all molecules of his essence were being ripped apart.

                ‘GREAT RASSILOOOONNN!’

                ‘AH!!’

The Doctor grabbed his sides in pain.  Gasping, he looked up at the TARDIS Time Rotor.  Cosmic Angst? Except his mind informed him, this wasn’t from any of his previous Incarnations.  Strangely, the sensation was different but hauntingly familiar.  If none of his Past selves were endangered, there was only one other possible solution.  One which he did not care for.

                Thoughts abruptly shattered by a peculiar, beeping sound coming from the other side of the TARDIS Main Console, The Doctor promptly rushed towards its source.  Nervously glancing over the panel, he discovered an indicator.  Certain he had not installed it, he suspected it was put there after her last service on Earth.  By his godchild, no doubt.

                On closer inspection, he recognised the crimson F-Clanscrest flashing wildly.  The last time he had something like that installed was back in his earlier days.  Back when..

                ‘No,’ The Doctor protested as he began furiously working at the controls. ‘No, no, no, no….’ After coming terms with Rose leaving him, the last thing he wanted was this. ‘FANGARIUS!’

                Recalling his sacred promise to Diane, The Doctor wasted no time operating the controls.  Leave it to Fanger on disobeying him.  He ultimately instructed his godchild to no longer pursue what had been transpiring with him after the Time War.  Even if they had encountered an upgraded version of Doctran (in his current form, no less!), and a mad scheme with the F-Clones coming back to defeat the Daleks once and for all.

                Inspecting the panels, The Doctor noticed one out-of-place object.  Inserted within the TARDIS Tracer Interface slot, there was an accustomed, pen-like device.  Resembling his sonic screwdriver, The Doctor observed this version was onyx-black, whereas his own was metallic-silver.  Also his emanated an ultraviolet blue whenever he used it, this one emitted a crimson-azure combination.

                Remarkably, it was programming the co-ordinates The Doctor required for heading back towards Earth.  The Time Lord then recalled the Fangarians’ knack for combining Paranormalicy with technology.  After entering his Fourth self, Fanger had cleverly merged his magic wand with a sonic screwdriver.  Therefore, The Doctor realised the new model belonged to his godchild.

                Apparently if it was here programming the TARDIS, Fanger was definitely in serious trouble.  The Doctor perceived Fanger never carelessly left something this vital laying about.  Mystic forces dancing about the TARDIS, the craft suddenly came to life.  Time rotor rhythmically moving up and down, it wasted no time heading towards its destination.

                Then suddenly, there came a forceful lurch.  Almost as if the TARDIS encountered an unknown barrier of sorts.  Nearly hitting the floor, The Doctor grabbed onto one of the panels.  Adjusting the stabilisers, he discovered his craft hadn’t only abruptly stopped, but it had ceased functioning.  Though he knew his craft hadn’t landed, and was nowhere remotely near its destination, The Doctor then realised someone or something deactivated the TARDIS.

                Deep chills ran down the Time Lord’s spine.  The last time his vessel had inexplicably ceased was when he used the Emergency Circuit, sending the police box out of Reality altogether.  After his dealings with the Land of Fiction and the Master Brain (aka Imagitron 5000, according to Fanger), the last thing he needed was fighting off unicorns and minotaurs again.  He seriously even fancied battling the Karkus, though perhaps he wouldn’t mind having Daffy Duck meet him.

                The Ducktor, indeed! Bad enough dealing with his Duck Dodgers persona, let alone a warped Toon version of himself.

Nevertheless, The Doctor decided he’d better check the instruments.  Even if he was temporarily halted, if he figured out the TARDIS’ bearings, he might discover some way of getting the old girl back on track.  Suddenly, there came a flash of lightning, then a roar of thunder.

                ‘A Sound of Thunder, Doctor,’ a voice purred. ‘I see why the Little One has such a fondness for Bradbury.’

                Spinning round on his heels, The Doctor faced the unexpected visitor.  Long, ebony hair, the man had shed his office attire, now wearing a cream-yellow t-shirt, azure cloth jacket and jeans.  His glasses were now streamlined from its proper, wire-framed state.  Yet, the only items The Doctor noted were the man’s dark hands and wolf’s-tail.  Even worse, the man never removed his glasses for the Time Lord discovering his identity.

                ‘Cillian,’ he bitterly spoke with disgust. ‘Should’ve known you’re behind this!’  Secretly, The Doctor reached back towards the panel behind him.  Deftly plucking Fanger’s sonic screwdriver, he cautiously slipped it into his coat pocket. ‘If you’ve harmed Fangarius in any way..’

                ‘Spare me.’ Cillian lifted his head. ‘Still as overdramatic as ever, aren’t you, Doctor?’ He smiled contemptuously. ‘Yet, it is nice being recognised for a change.’

                Indeed The Doctor knew who Cillian was, as most everyone on Gallifrey.  He was the infamous Ancient who Rassilon had first imprisoned for nearly causing an uprising with the Clanstribes.  Not to mention almost conquering the known Universe as well.  He was worse than The Master and the Daleks combined.  In fact, the only other Ancient ever sealed away was Grandier.

                ‘Do not mention him,’ Cillian’s demure attitude faded. ‘Stupid imbecile failed me more than enough!’ Regaining his composure, he lowered his glasses, revealing his true nature. ‘Apologies, Doctor, I did not come here for discussing my personal difficulties. But more about you and Fangarius.’

                ‘Really?’ The Doctor frowned. ‘Not like you, Cillian, oh, no, thought you liked talking about yourself a great deal.’ He accusingly stared at the Ancient. ‘Of course, when you’re not attempting conquering the Universe and all that.  Then taking into consideration things have changed since Gallifrey’s demise.  Still brooding over Dragard, are you?’

                Cillian realised amidst The Doctor’s ramblings, like Fanger, the Time Lord’s memories had been altered as well.

                ‘Obviously you don’t recall our last encounter, do you not?’ He then approached The Doctor.  His voice lowered to a chilling whisper. ‘Did you really conceive you’d keep the Little One from me? Even from Lumic himself?’

                ‘Lumic?’ The Doctor failed connecting what the former head of Cybus Industries had to do with his Godchild.  Until his mind came across a extended, forgotten memory.  One he thought he had locked away forever.  The realisation rose up through his body like a powerful narcotic.  All he did was stare disbelievingly at Cillian, wondering how his Godchild could ever get mixed up in this.

                ‘Yes, Doctor,’ Cillian’s eyes pulsed with azure-emerald force. ‘Stay just like that. I want to remember you just as you are. FROZEN FOREVER… Intemp’Al Kah’del!’

                Mystic forces expelled from Cillian’s eyes as his voice resonated throughout the TARDIS.  The Doctor found himself ensnared within an emerald-sapphire vortex.  Under normal circumstances, the Time Lord would have found himself transformed into stone.

                Except.

                Without warning, Fanger’s sonic screwdriver sprang to life.  Shooting sparks wildly about, a strange, forgotten tongue echoed back.

                A multicoloured bolt shot out and attacked Cillian, dematerializing him from the TARDIS.  The last memory The Doctor witnessed was being encapsulated within iridescent force, just before everything went black.