Chapter 4: Thinking Back and Moving Forward:
Jester watched as the ship spread out around him, coming to rest in it's usual dimensions. The room expanded as though a living entity, allowing the doors to open fully and the dry, cracked and aged look to dispel from the roundel inlaid walls. This left the console still in a shape that left much to be desired as he set to work in a frenzy to reconnect the vital systems that would allow the ship unlimited access to time and space. He had feared the ship was hopeless, and beyond salvaging in time as he worked furiously to bring the main drive, the defense shields, the gravitic anomalyzer and the conceptual geometer online. Jester also noticed as he worked furiously that there were several new components which seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with the TARDIS' actual ability to move in space and time. He decided that those components could wait for a less precipitous moment as he was in a gamble for his very life and it was a fight he would fast lose if he didn't hurry.
Not having heard from Amilana for a few minutes, he hazarded a glance about the compound and noticed her making a beeline for the ship. When she reached the TARDIS, she slumped against the interior, heaving in great gulps of air. She managed to get out the words, "The Guards are at the far end of the compound; the barricade of the door won't hold them for long," she paused to take a deep breath and looked in horror at the console, through eyes that had brown strands of hair plastered above them to her forehead, "Oh criminy! What have you been up to Armind? Those guards will be through that barricade in less time than it takes to blink and here you are, not even close to having the console reset yet!" He let out a gruff sigh and said in irritation, "I'd get a lot more done if you'd help me out, after all, you were one of the ones who built this confounded flying death trap! I may be a TARDIS engineer, but a lot of this, I can't make heads or tails out of!" Sighing in exasperation she chided, "Follow my leads and for the god's sakes, do NOT power up any of the organic matrix feeds. If you do, you'll blast us into oblivion." He said nothing, but followed her lead, and assuredly reassembled the console.
* * * * *
Beverly's body screamed to the tune aching muscles and hurt pride and she found her way back to her quarters solely on automatic. She hadn't seen herself after the fight and she was given pause to consider when more than a few raised eyebrows were cast in her direction. The doors to her quarters slid open on hydraulic hinges and she went inside welcoming the darkness that enveloped her senses. "Computer, bring up the ambient lighting to twenty percent of Earth standard normal," she said and waited as the command was acknowledged creating the illusion of soft evening lighting. The heaviness of the silence in the room was broken only by her sighs of exasperation. Oh, for God's sakes, Beverly, she chided herself, get off this damned depression kick. She wandered back into the main living area of her quarters and ran through the computer's selections of classical music from the Federation's member worlds. She settled on a beautiful but haunting concerto from her favorite alien composer, Tradjzha Vael-Sun from Arobaeus Four. The selection was entitled "The Lovers' Embrace." She had begun to draw some bath water for her weary form as the haunting score captured her sorrow-laden heart and soul. The music swelled in the tiny quarters and Beverly felt herself lifted high on the lilting tones and in her heart she ached for pure joy also aching for freedom and release and that's when through the power of the melodious chords, she was transported to another time; another place.
In her mind's eye she saw the blonde temptress whose very presence caused her heart to leap for joy whenever she beheld her. She was taken back to the night when they had received word that Brandon and the rest of the Star Demons had perished on the desert surface of Aristolis below. Beverly had been working over time in the sickbay when the call had come through from the admiral for all the senior staff to assemble in the briefing room. Puzzled by the command, Beverly pushed the oddity of the command aside believing that in the middle of war, such commands were to be expected. As Ingrid was her right hand in the sickbay, she bade her to accompany her. They had strode into the briefing room which had a view of the planet below and where the forces of the Federation were duking it out with the SG's. Both women had been in high spirits but the attitude of the briefing room was cold and somber. Beverly felt a chill about her shoulders and instinctively pulled her lab coat tighter about her as she took her seat. Glancing about her, everyone in the room had a far away look in their eyes that spoke of fear and uncertainty. She noticed her father, the admiral, at the head of the conference table with his back turned to the rest of the group, his head bowed. His broad shoulders quivered through his uniform and after a moment he straightened his frame and turned to face the rest of assembled officers as if daring them to open their mouths. His jaw was set and Beverly noticed the slow clenching and unclenching of his teeth by the movement of his jaw hinge near his temple. He took a deep breath and started, "People, I'm going to come straight to the point. I see no sense in beating around the bush as most of you were good friends with the people I'm about to discuss. It came to my attention that not more than an hour ago, the Shadow Ghosts launched a major ground offensive at our forces on the surface of Aristolis. As you know, our own division of the elite forces, the Star Demons, had gone in to provide cover and backup while we worked to evacuate the scientists that were pinned down in the recent attacks. Forty-seven minutes ago, at approximately fourteen thirty-nine hours, the Star Demons were caught unawares and did not have time to raise their defenses before being slaughtered. All in the Star Demons group perished and I have here the names of those lost in the line of service." Beverly and Ingrid's minds were reeling from this information. Ingrid reached out and laid a hand on Beverly's arm and asked in a hushed whisper, "Bev, you don't think..." before the redhead silenced her. In her own mind Bev was screaming and willing Brandon to be all right. Fear gnawed the pit of her stomach as the admiral ticked off the names as though he were reading from a shopping list, "Ensign Sergei Palotov, killed in action; Lieutenant Deborah Mackenzie, killed in action; Ensign Scojza Marmaris, killed in action; from the Lycegean Hegemony in Sector 1973, Crewman Vejhara, killed in action; from member world Belcerral 9, Ensign Bahrana Amuless, killed in action, Lieutenant Marta Kozaaks, killed in action; and lastly, Group Commander Lieutenant Brandon Braddock, killed in action. Their remains are being shipped back to the Hesperus and will be laid to rest among the stars tomorrow evening at eighteen thirty hours. Any questions?" Nobody said a word, indeed no-one could as they all sat dumbly, each nursing some private pain over the loss of their comrades. Admiral Michaels continued, "If that is all, you are dismissed." He turned to speak to Beverly and caught her eye. For a split second, the look they shared spoke volumes that words could never communicate.
"Doctor, I will, of course, need the death certificates prepared and on my desk than no later than oh-nine-hundred hours tomorrow." She only nodded, she didn't have the energy to do anything else. She vaguely heard her father give the order for contacting the families of the deceased and was hardly aware of anything else as Ingrid guided her back to the sickbay.
The memorial service was a quiet affair as people each shared their memories. Beverly had been snappy and temperamental during the day and had excused it as being the result of the increased workload, but Ingrid had known the real reason was the deaths of their friends. More than one nurse and several interns had been sent scurrying for whatever cover they could find to escape her temper. The death certificates had been delivered as requested and once in the quiet of the sickbay office, Beverly allowed herself to grieve her friend's deaths. She shed her tears, but either because she was weary or just sick of the war, the tears were few. She forced herself to go to the memorial service and listened to the platitudes that were offered and felt nothing. She didn't feel anything, didn't want to feel anything and silently suffered waiting for the service to end when all seven sarcophagi were sent sailing into open space on rocket propelled anti-gravity platforms. Only wanting a bottle of Dom to keep her company, Beverly headed back to her quarters at the service's conclusion to seek solace wherever she could find it.
* * * * *
A loud explosion rocked the TARDIS docking compound that shook the ship and sent both Jester and Amilana to the floor. Scrambling to get back to their feet they noticed the compound doors had very nearly been blown off their hinges and the smoke created by the explosion was being cleared by the ventilation and fire suppression systems. As the Guards first started to enter the compound, Jester and Amilana finished the last of the connections and powered up the console. Jester had begun to check the power readings when Amilana slammed the door control mechanism home, activated the scanner screen and started flipping switches like mad. She shoved Jester out of the way, activating the defense shields.
"Jester, set the coordinates for..." She didn't finish as she noticed that the Guards had taken up position outside the ship, stasers trained on the main door. A warning blared out from the console and Jester stood grim-faced as he deciphered the information. The Guards were trying to use the compound controls to override the TARDIS' defense screen mechanism and force the two out of the ship. He knew that if they surrendered, they would be executed the moment they left the ship.
"I don't know where it was you were planning to go, but right now, we just need to get out of here. Let me," he said as he took over the controls on the console. Amilana gazed in wonder as he maneuvered the controls readying the ship to take off.
"The power levels are almost at optimum required to dematerialize. When I tell you, throw the master dematerialization switch," adding under his breath, "I hope this old bucket of bolts will fly..." He counted down from ten and had Amilana stand ready near him for the moment of take-off. The ship began to quiver and shake as the hum of the power rose steadily in pitch.
"Three...two...one. Now! Amilana, throw the switch!" The Time Lady did as she was commanded and from somewhere deep in the TARDIS' heart the curious wheezing groan of the ship's engines could be heard struggling to take off. The lights in the central time rotor at the heart of the console flashed and winked angrily as the ship struggled to leave. The console began to fizzle and snap as sections began to short under the strain. Amilana checked the readouts and exclaimed, "It's no good. The Guards have thrown up a null-time barrier around the ship and it's crippling our time field! The only reason they haven't completely grounded us is because of the defense shields and the power being generated by the engines. That's what's keeping us from being completely locked down!" By now she was shouting over the din as the power had built to a whine and the room was beginning to fill with smoke from overheating circuits.
"There has to be something we can do," he cried, "We haven't come all this way just to be stopped short by some half-witted guards who've gone trigger happy!" She stopped for a second and burst into a grin, "Maybe there is," she said, "Keep monitoring those power levels and keep them at peak. I'm going to connect the organic power feeds!"
"Have you lost all touch with reality," he shouted, "You said it wasn't safe. Anything could happen if you connect the feeds!"
"Jester, I know this ship! The power feeds are the only way we're gonna escape alive. And, in anticipation of your next question, the feeds draw on deeper reserves of power and let's just leave it at that." She ignored his look of protest and she connected the feeds to the main power bus. When she had finished, she said, "We still have to shut down the compound controls and the only way to do that is disable them at the source. We only have to make it past the Guards alive."
"Let me go then," he offered, "I'm the one they want."
"No," she countered, "Maybe I can delay them long enough for you to get away. The President wanted this TARDIS model as far away from Gallifrey as you could get it and I aim to see you succeed at that task," she noted the worried look on his face and said with a smile, "Trust me, all right." She operated the door controls and stepped into the unknown of the situation beyond the door.
* * * * *
Beverly was luxuriating in her bath as the stresses of her day ebbed away. Her mind continued to wander through her past as she recalled that night as Ingrid had sought her out to comfort her and to be comforted. Beverly had gotten a buzz, but not gotten completely drunk and Ingrid watched her recline on the bed, with her head on her arms over the top of a satin violet pillow. Touched by the serenity of her lover in the hazy grip of alcohol induced euphoria, the blonde woman began to slowly massage her back. Beverly moaned in pleasure from the relief from stress and didn't resist when Ingrid coaxed her out of the top section of her medical uniform. Beverly only half recalled her breasts melting into the fleecy comfort of the down comforter as nubile fingers went to work on tired and knotted muscles. Ingrid's fingers danced in a perfect rhythm and went from pure massage to a slow erotic dance behind her lover's ears. She took the time to tease the flesh around the ribs and traced a single line near the curve of Beverly's nearest breast which caused a shiver to run through her. Ingrid smiled to herself, knowing her magic touch was beginning to have the desired effect. She bent down near Beverly's ear, her pale blonde hair coming to rest over Bev's shoulder blades as she slid her hand down Bev's back to knead playfully the perfect orbs of her rear. Ingrid planted soft wet kisses to her earlobes and neck causing Beverly to arch up and turn over on her back. Doctor beheld doctor; lover beheld lover and Ingrid purred at her and gave her a playful growl which caused Bev to chuckle. Ingrid bent down and tasted the sweet nectar of her lips and inhaled her scent and the sensation nearly drove her into a frenzy. Blue eyes met green and Beverly reached a long and muscled arm up to touch the liquid gold of her lover's cheek. The touch alone ignited a spark in Ingrid and caused a small flame to grow into an inferno as she ripped off her own uniform and helped Beverly out of the rest of hers. She took the red head's chin and tilted it back so her neck was exposed and she suckled the sweet and tender flesh, causing Beverly's breath to come faster. Beverly, in turn, stroked Ingrid's breasts lovingly, teasing the erect nipples, wanting to suckle the bronze flesh as though they contained the very source of life itself. The two women were filled with an undeniable ache that only the other could fill. As Ingrid suckled Beverly's ample and succulent breasts, she ran her hand down to until it met a small patch of fur and a pleasing tender wetness that caused the red head to gasp in ecstasy. They took turns exploring the secrets of each other's bodies enjoying the taste of each other, causing the goose flesh to rise on their bodies as they became wet in the dewy dampness of their sweat; the musky scent of their lovemaking hanging like a heady perfume in the air. Sensation and feeling exploded from their mid sections due to the tease of expertly placed tongues in vaginal cavities and at last they came together as wave after giddy wave of sweet release claimed them in the form of simultaneous orgasm.
These thoughts warmed Beverly as she sank into the hot water of the bath, and she felt her skin flush hot from the excitement generated by her memories. The nipples of her breasts were firm and erect and she felt the blood rushing to both the outer and inner lips of her vagina. She had not even realized it, but discovered unconsciously she had begun to massage her clitoris, sending waves of dizzy passion burning through her. However, her thoughts became poisoned as she remembered her lover lay dead on the hostile planet below. The very woman who made her life complete had been ripped away from her, blasted into shattered fragments by a faceless enemy she couldn't see or fight. She had tried hard not to be sick at the sight of Ingrid's body and was too shocked to cry. That's when she had collapsed. The full realization of the hurt of loss returned full force, only this time stronger and she clenched her fists until her nails drew blood from her palms. She and Ingrid had worked so well together! It was all unfair! She despaired of ever again finding one who would ignite her passions as Ingrid had and at the same time, champion her in her practice of medicine and in her dark times as well. She thought of her practice of medicine, now no longer having Ingrid by her side. Every time she would tend to a terminal patient from now on, it would be Ingrid's face she saw. Brandon was gone too and she was alone and on her own, counting on her own resources in cases like the episode with Richard. Ill with the thought of her bleak future, she was suddenly seized by a desire for it all to end, and she vocalized her hurt and rage in a defiant howl that ended in tears. Not wanting to face the war, Ingrid's death, and the feeling of all of creation being against her, she decided then she wanted to know no more of war, death and destruction. She wanted the sweet oblivion of her own death to claim her away to its own rest, where she and Ingrid would be united on a spiritual plane, never to be separated again. She blew out her last breath of air and allowed herself to sink beneath the surface of the water in a desperate bid to want to end it all.