Dragon's Claws #42

"Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
- Dale Carnegie

“Bugger me ragged,” said Pen Dragon as he looked around the control room. He had seen a lot of things in his lifetime, come across many strange and wonderful technology and magic, fought aliens and demons and demi-gods, but this was something else. It was a true work of art.

The console room of the TARDIS they had stolen from the Time Lords was octagonal in shape, and thanks to Gallifreyan science was only a small part of the rest of the timeship. Dimensionally transcendental, it was frankly massive and had many functions and parts not associated with the controls – they were there for decadence. The console in the middle of the chamber was impressive in itself, far beyond almost anything Pen had seen, but not too far beyond the systems in Limbo, when Limbo had still been standing. Luckily he had the one person who could operate this place without a problem and Kate was familiarising herself with the controls of the craft as the others explored their new surroundings.

“This is like a palace,” said Elsa as she moved around the room. “These furnishings… Incredible.”

“Someone fancied himself as the next in line as Lord President,” said Wynter. “Arrogant bastard, I hope his regeneration teaches him some humility.”

Kylun said nothing, keeping his own counsel on the matter, but he looked at Meggan, who seemed to be pale. “Meggan?” he asked.

“This place,” she said, “is so cut off from reality. It stands outside of everything, there are no lights, no life, no energy.”

“The TARDIS is alive in part,” said Kate, coming over to her friend. “Can you sense it, touch it with your empathy?” Meggan looked at her and shook her head.

“It is dormant, or buried deep within this place, and I cannot find it.” She looked at them. “The only things alive here are the six of us.”

“Kate,” said Pen. “We’ve not got long. Can you get us the hell out of here.”

Kate nodded. “The Castellan didn’t think to engage the security features,” she said. “I can fly us out of here right now.”

“Do it,” he said and she operated the controls of the TARDIS and the central column began to rise as the craft came to life and Meggan looked up.

“I can feel it,” she whispered. “The heart of the TARDIS.” The whirring sound occurred as the TARDIS vanished from Null Point and out in to the time vortex. Kate activated the viewing dome and they looked out.

They could see the time vortex out there, a warped rift of the time stream that allowed them to travel from one time to another and they could see the damage and the ruptures in time. There was nothing smooth about the edges of the vortex, it was jagged and perilous with gaps here and there and Pen closed his eyes. This is what he had done, what he had been forced to do to save the world and now there was a war, a battle for control and mastery of Time and they were behind. First there was the Neanderthal invasion of London, then there had been the time storm over New Camelot, and then the annexing of Otherworld by the Time Lords. Null Point was in the hands of the Time Lords as well, and they’d had to run. They were fighting reactively, not proactively and he had had enough.

“We need to travel through time,” he said. “To the past, present and future. We need to find and stop all those who would try and act against the way things are. Our job is to put things back the way they were, and not let the power be shifted one way or another. We have a time vessel, we have the power, we…”

“We’re on the run from the Time Lords in a stolen TARDIS, fighting a war and there’s just us,” said Elsa. “Wynter and Meggan aside, you’re a bit lax in the comsic powers thing. Kylun and me hit things, and we’re very good at it. Kate’s your technical person and pilot and you… you’re good at causing chaos. We’re not enough.”

“Pen,” said Kate and then looked at her. “I’ve found a bulletin thingy, but it’s not in any language I know.”

“It’s Gallifreyan,” Wynter said, looking at it. “Without a Time Lord mind, we’ve no translation matrix.”

“Meggan,” said Pen. “I need you to ask the TARDIS to use me as a blank slate, I’m the link.”

“It says yes,” Meggan said, almost straight away. “The TARDIS has been imprisoned by the Castellan. It wants it’s freedom.”

“Ok,” said Elsa, “it’s not theft, it’s kidnapping.” Pen chuckled.

“So how will we know if…”

“I can read it,” said Kate, interrupting.

“It works,” finished Pen and sighed. “What’s it say?”

“It’s an alert system,” said Kylun. “It tells of significant events.”

“Such as?” Wynter asked.

“Dream Summers, the temporal renegade has been found innocent by the World Council of Earth of the charges of crimes against humanity due to mitigating circumstances.”

They looked at each other and Pen closed his eyes as Kylun continued.

“She will be shipped to the United Kingdom, tried by the Pendragon court and summarily executed, releasing the third portion of the Phoenix essence, which will then be trapped within future technology of the psimitar, which will then be buried deep within the Earth’s mantle.”

“No,” said Dragon, softly, but his fists were clenched. “It will not happen like that. I won’t allow it.”

“What can we do?” asked Wynter and Pen looked at him.

“We’re going to get her.”

Pete Wisdom was waiting in Latveria with the guards around Dream Summers, watching as Feron entered the meeting room to talk to the World Council about her fate. He was here as a favour to Pen Dragon, so if he couldn’t make it then he would pretend to be him and speak on his behalf. He was a bit wary of his alternate self, but he knew how he thought and what his values were, so if he believed in Dream Summers, so did he. Then there was a strange groaning noise and he turned to see Doom standing there, but Doom was inside his chamber so this had to be a Doombot.

“Powered by magic?” Pete mused and then he was amazed to see hear alarms sound as the front of the Doombot opened up and Dragon’s Claws emerged from the front of the machine. “What the hell?” The guards stood no chance as Kylun and Elsa took them down in a flurry of fists and swords and before Pete could do anything, Wynter and Meggan had taken Dream inside the Doombot and Pen stood there and gave him a piece of paper.

“Give Jessica this. Tell her I’m sorry.” Then he headed back in to the Doomobt and the whirring groaned, the Doombot’s eyes flashed with an eerie light and the Doombot had gone, leaving Wisdom stood there in stunned amazement.

“What the hell just happened?” he said as he looked at the note just as the council emerged from the chamber.

“Pete?!” Jessica demanded as the World Council looked at the chaos…

“I have to hand it to you,” Wynter said, looking at Pen. “In the space of an hour we’ve just made enemies of the Time Lords, the World Council, the Pendragons, Doctor Doom…”

“We’re good, aren’t we?” said Pen with a grin as Meggan broke the bonds that had kept Dream restrained and the young woman looked scared and bewildered. “Easy, Dream, it’s Pen. Remember?” She nodded, but said nothing. “Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. I’ve recruited you for my team.”

“Why?” she said.

“Because we’re going to save Time,” said Pen Dragon. “And we need your help. You want to make amends for what happened, and show that the Phoenix Force can be used for something other than the chaos and destruction, I know that. Let’s save reality.” She looked at him.

“What about him?” she asked, looking at Wynter. “I can feel the anger and hatred he has for me.” Wynter seemed perfectly calm, but Meggan nodded in agreement with Dream.

“I’ll deal with him,” said Pen, firmly and Wynter started to open his mouth and Pen shot him a look and Wynter’s voice failed him. The mage had never been at a loss for words, but the look on the face of Pen Dragon halted him in his tracks. “With me,” Pen ordered. “Now.” An amused look crossed the wizard’s face and he followed Pen through the corridors of the TARDIS until they were quite some way from the TARDIS control room and Pen opened a door. “In here.” Wynter went in first, followed by Pen, but the wizard grabbed him and pinned Pen Dragon to the wall with a vice-like grip.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m one of your subordinates,” Wynter said. “I’m here because I choose to be, not for you or your little band of warriors and you’d do well to remember that I am not a man to be trifled with.” Pen closed his eyes, sighed and gave him a head-butt, and Wynter staggered back, letting go.

“Are you done?” said Pen, “or do you and I go a couple of rounds?”

“You…” Wynter’s face was incandescent with rage, but Dragon wasn’t done with him.

“I am sick and tired of you and your bloody family acting like mini-gods, lording it over the rest of us, lording it over me. I have nothing but respect for your father, I loved your sister and I actually quite liked you as a kid. I was there when you were born, both of you. I watched as Merlyn almost destroyed Otherworld to keep your mother from dying, so you would have your birth-mother. I watched his heart break and ice fill his veins from the pain of what had happened and how for the first time he knew he was fallible.”

“My father has never loved anyone or anything in his life other than his need to control and dominate…”

“You have no idea who your father really is,” said Pen, softly. “You and Roma were meant to be one child, a product of the union of the Green and Otherworld, destined to bring the great power back in to alignment. He never imagined the power did not want to be joined so easily.”

“What?” asked Wynter, still angry, but now confused.

“Your mother was the Lady of the Lake. She and Merlyn were involved and he loved her with all his heart. He gave the Green Excalibur’s power in exchange for one night with her and you and Roma were conceived. Merlyn was intent on creating an heir to both realms, who would lead the great armies.”

“Roma,” said Wynter. “You mean Roma.”

“No,” said Pen. “I mean the child you were both supposed to be. Roma looks a lot like your mother, and she shares Merlyn’s power, more than the Green. You are more Green than Otherworld.” Wynter staggered back, taking in this great revelation. He was not meant to have been born, and the problems between himself, his father and his sister… It was because the siblings were two parts of the whole and Merlyn had failed. “He loves you both,” Pen continued, “but he cannot allow himself to be hurt again, and neither of you are the heirs he craved, for you lack the balance needed.”

“Why Brian, or Betsy?” said Wynter. “Why the House Braddock?” Pen shrugged.

“Only Merlyn knows that one,” said Pen. “We know their father is of Otherworld, maybe their mother is of the Green and he tried the experiment again.”

“And still gained twins.” Wynter closed his eyes. “Who knows this?”

“Me, Merlyn, the Green Knight. Now you. Your mother is in Avalon, reclaimed by the waters of the lake. You were never to know the truth, in case the Bane tried something. I figure here is a safe enough place to tell you.”

“That look you gave me moments ago,” said Wynter.

“It worked on you as a kid,” said Pen. “Some things you don’t forget.”

“Like Shevaun.” He looked at Pen Dragon. “I can’t forgive Dream for what happened. She killed my friend, a Pendragon. She needs to pay for her crimes.”

“The Phoenix did,” said Pen. “Split in three, the power divided. If you’re judging her, judge all those possessed by another. All your friends. Adam Crown killed Ginny, Brian Braddock was under Kang’s control, want me to go on?” Wynter shook his head. “We need her, so get over it. Let her earn your respect and loyalty.”

Wynter sighed, thinking about what had happened and looked at Pen. “Ok,” he agreed, quietly. “One thing though.” Pen looked at him and Wynter slammed his fist in to Dragon’s jaw. “Don’t ever hit me again.”

From his base in Scotland, Escalus watched what was going on through his trans-temporal viewer. His temporal event in London had caused more damage than even he could have anticipated. One of the Walkers was gone, erased from history, causing New Camelot to be moved to the Null Point before it was ready. It had prompted the Time Lords to seize control of Otherworld and the Dragon’s Claws were on the run through time.

They’d been weakened, for without the aid of the Pendragons they would be less effective, though he had not considered that Pen Dragon would take the new Phoenix with him. She was supposed to have been taken to Darkmoor and tried, but in an act of mercy from Adam Crown she would have been assigned to a new elite Pendragons team charged with bringing law and order back to the United Kingdom. The future had been changed already and nothing would be the same as it had been and he could feel that his goal, his purpose, was on track. Otherworld was on it’s way to falling which just left the defeat of the Green and the Bane. With the two forces driven from this plane and humanity would be free to fulfil their own destiny, and the Humanic Empire, the golden age, would come to pass. With the defenders of the course of history splintered as they now were, Escalus could not see them stopping him from achieving his goals.

His biggest problem now was Gallifrey. The Time Lords would seek to control events to their twisted sense of order, which meant he would have to deal with them next, before he took the place of his true self and began the final destruction of the Green and the Bane, and if Pen Dragon and his band of renegades returned, he would deal with them in due course. There was much to be done…

“All sorted?” asked Elsa as Pen and Wynter returned and Pen nodded. “Good, because we’re heading for the future.”

“”Why?” Wynter asked, and Kate pointed to a gap in the time-vortex.

“That part of time,” she said, “is in flux. It was fine and suddenly it began to spike and become jagged. We’re in a temporal orbit over the local and there seems to be a lot of temporal instability and using the TARDIS sensors, there are events here that are having repercussions on the past. The prehistoric past and there’s nothing recorded about this era having that effect prior to… now.”

“Ok then.” Pen looked at his team, his friends and allies. “We’re about to get involved in the Time War. We find out who’s here, what they’re trying to do, stop them and move on. Kate, what year is it?”

“8162. From what I can tell the Earth’s orbit has changed and it’s getting closer to the sun. It’s not the home we knew.”

He nodded. “Of course it’s not. Set her down, and we’ll see what’s out there.” Kate activated the controls and the whirring began as the TARDIS began it’s descent from the time vortex in to normal time/space and it began to emerge on Earth and after a few moments they’d landed. The viewer showed them a bleak landscape.

“Oh good, a post-apocalyptic future,” said Elsa. “You just don’t get enough of those when you hear of time travel.”

“It looks a little like London,” Pen muttered. “A London that looks like it’s been through hell and back, but it feels like home.”

“I wonder if this is the real future or a potential one,” Kylun pondered as he looked out. Everything they saw was fair game at the moment with the Time War, and there was no saying how it would all end.

“Let’s get to work,” said Pen, and he looked at Dream, who was biting her lip. “Come on,” he said to her with a smile. “We’ve a lot to do if we’re going to make this a better universe.”

Kate opened the door and the team stepped outside of the TARDIS, which was disguised as a stone pillar and away they went, looking for where the anomaly could be.

At the London headquarters of the National Union of Retired Sports Experts, the director of the facility, Golding, was sat at his desk when he received the call from the World Development Council. The WDC had created the Games to curb the civil unrest that was engulfing the planet. The Game of Hunter/Hunted gave a sporting release to the violent tendencies of the populace, either as participants and spectators, though they had created NURSE to find suitable employment for ex-players.

NURSE had gone thought some difficult times under it’s previous management, but the corner had been turned and Golding was doing his best to make things better for all of the former players of the Game.

“Golding,” he said, answering the call. He listened as his superiors spoke and after a moment he spoke again. “I understand,” he replied and ended the call. The moment the WDC had feared had arrived – the arrival of temporal travellers on Earth. The last time there had been a temporal incursion the results had been… problematic at best, and they needed to make sure these time travellers did not interfere with the way things were. No matter how good their intentions, they weren’t welcome here and Golding pressed a button and after a moment his communication was answered.

“Dragon, it’s Golding. Get the rest of the Claws, I’ve a mission for you…”