Mightier Than The Sword

PRESENT

One way or another, the War would end tonight.

Supreme Commander Sharrel mulled over the reports as they came in. As the Pallian in charge of the Allied Continents, it was up to him to keep things running smoothly. Still, as he pored over the endless Intel that was coming in, a part of his mind was keen on the past of the situation.

Many historians still argued over the cause of the conflict. Some maintained that the Tantems had offered some insult to the Queen, while others insisted that it was the Queen of the Pallians herself who caused the battles merely by refusing to take the Tantem ‘First Male’ as her consort.

Whatever the true situation was may have been lost over the centuries, one overriding fact remained – that the War between the Twin Worlds had cost both planets Trillions of Credits and countless lives. To make matters worse, both planetary Governments were quite aware that it was the War itself that had made the Twin Worlds rich beyond compare.

Sharrel didn’t let this bother him tonight however. At long last, the Project was complete. After decades of preparation, endless shuffling of personnel and funds, and keeping Spies from finding out the true reason for the Project – It was finished. And tonight, the final blow would be delivered, and Pallia would be the Victor.

Suddenly and without warning, the proximity alarms in the Complex began to wail. Somehow a craft had penetrated not only the outer & inner Space perimeters and was about to make landing – Not at the proscribed field, but right in the heart of the Complex itself. While lesser men may have worried at this, Sharrel was secretly pleased. It was entirely possible the rumors he had heard were true, and the mythical figure known only as 'The Doctor' would be gracing his people with knowledge gleaned over millennia of travel. This could only be a portent of good tidings, a sure sign the Project was going to be a success.

So, it came as little surprise (To Sharrel, at least) when a largish Blue Box formed practically in front of his Operations desk.

A well practiced Honor Guard took it’s place in front of what they imagined was the entry of the craft, and stood at taut attention as a tallish, fair haired man emerged followed in quick order by a woman in a purple Stewardess uniform and a boy in what appeared to be – Pajamas.

“And here we are Tegan, Heathrow at last!” cried the man, only to be followed quickly by “Or not. Possibly not that is. Definitely not, it would appear“.

Sharrel moved forward, and saluting smartly began his prepared statement. “Greetings Doctor, and welcome to the jewel of the Twin Worlds, Pallia. We have waited long for this moment, and in the name of the Queen and her subjects, we offer you glad tidings.”

The Doctor stood for a heartbeat digesting that he was expected, and then abruptly smiled as he extended his hand to shake that of the dignitary in front of him. He quickly introduced his companions as Tegan and Adric, and then retired with the General into a private room while his Companions began to look around.

FUTURE

“I’ve got the strangest feeling I should be doing something around this sector” said the Doctor to the person standing next to him. “Almost as if.. Well, I’m not really sure entirely to be honest.”

“Try thinking about it like Time Agents do” said Captain Jack, “We were always taught to NEVER assume, but to try and reason our way out.”

“Reason?” proclaimed yet a third person, the attractive blond known as Rose said as she emerged from the corridor outside the Control area “All we’ve seen from you so far is ‘rush in, rush out, and smile a lot’ every time we’ve made landing.”

“Now Rose, that’s not entirely true” said The Doctor “you’ve forgotten the bit about spending a few moments making sure the hair is perfect beforehand. Still, let‘s take a look where we are.”

As the screen opened, they looked upon a system with 2 planets in very close orbit. One was a lush world, beautiful to the eye – While the other was densely covered in smog and looked hellish.

“Ah, Pallia and Tante, the ‘Twin Worlds’ and gems of the system. But something isn’t right here – BOTH planets should be green. Something is either very wrong with THEM, or with us. Most likely them of course – we’re brilliant!” The Doctor paused to take a breath, then declared “It’s as if something has altered the timeline in a bad way.” The Doctor thought for a moment, then continued “And I have the strangest feeling it was me.”

PAST

The Project had just begun. Designed to be the ultimate weapon of Victory for the Pallians, it was going to take quite a long time to complete. There were people to relocate from the city involved, power lines to lay and a directional reflector to construct. The worst part is that it had to be done in complete secrecy – And only in those hours when the city was facing away from Tante.

It was actually quite a simple notion. Merely build a system that when fired at their adversary, would insure ultimate victory. It was essentially an extremely large EMP projector that would put Tante back into the Stone Age – And leave Pallia as the only technological power in the Sector.

Young Sharrel, a Lieutenant in the AC Forces was Project leader. He was assured of becoming a general at least during the life of this Project, and possibly even Supreme Commander. Yes, his future was secure – And he would make sure HE was the one that pressed the button that made Pallia the victor.

It was a risky venture. All power from the entire planet would be routed at one time to this Project, and a beam would wipe out Tante’s ability to make even a simple energy weapon. In one shot, peace would reign, and Pallia would be supreme – If only morally. Pallia herself would be unable to muster another attack for quite some time. It was a risk that had to be taken.

It was in the initial Dig that the Document was found. It told of the arrival of a man known only as The Doctor, and his fantastic traveling machine called as the TARDIS. Apparently, the appearance of this man was the portent of success – or abject failure, the historians fumbled a bit in translation – And The Doctor himself would make it possible.

PRESENT

“Look at this, Tegan” cried Adric “This entire layout, if I read it right, is designed to emit some sort of powerful pulse at the next planet over. The readout says that it is ready to happen as well.”

“That man is never going to get me back. I’ll get the sack for sure.” said Tegan.

“Oh please Tegan, do give it a rest. The Doctor WILL get you there, and you WILL fly in that contraption – What did you call it again, an ‘Airplane’?” Adric looked over the console as he said this, and noted that several of the computations did not make sense. Mathematically, he calculated that it was off by a factor of 3 to the 3rd power, meaning that unless he misunderstood the readings, the Pulse would not only turn off all Power and industry on the target, it would devastate Life as well. The beam was too strong.

Adric rushed to tell The Doctor.

FUTURE

“I remember this quite clearly. This was back before the Time War, and I was sent here to.. Well, to make sure THIS didn’t happen.” said the Doctor absently for himself as much as to Jack and Rose. “I’m certain I fixed it all, but why would… That’s it! I always knew that boy couldn’t keep his hands to himself, HE must have changed the settings! Of course!”

With this, he set a few controls on the Console, and the TARDIS dematerialized, to appear seconds later in the exact same spot – But at a MUCH earlier Time.

PAST

“Now quickly Rose, write EXACTLY what I tell you to. Jack, after she’s finished, head outside and place this paper inside that Box you see 5 meters in front of the TARDIS. Let’s see if I can set this right before it happens” The Doctor mused for a moment, and began to dictate to Rose.

PRESENT

“Now Adric, how is it that when faced with an Alien technology, you are so sure the readings are wrong, hmm?” said The Doctor. “After all, you haven’t the foggiest idea of how the machine even works, do you?”

“But Doctor, everything comes down to Mathematics. The power is too high!” Adric was in a harried state, and was attempting to convey his point. “If this weapon is fired as set, Tante will not just be crippled, but destroyed. Utterly.”

Sharrel had been listening quietly while the two from the TARDIS had their conversation. He thought back to the day the Document was found. Was it possible that it was his Enemies that placed it there? Was this Doctor and his friends the Enemy as well?

He quietly pressed the call button on his desk, and noted the time. In less than an hour, the weapon would be fired – And it would be at it’s current setting. He said this to the Doctor to gauge his response. To his surprise, The Doctor agreed with him – And wishing Sharrel well, gathered his friends to leave.

The TARDIS vanished from the Control center with a whine of barely contained power.

Sharrel knew then that the Document was indeed the truth. He then went to the controls and as the Document had told him – The settings HAD been altered! He made the adjustments as instructed by history and smiled. Pallia would win after all.

PAST

Jack returned from his mission without difficulty. The Doctor then crossed his fingers, and set coordinates once again. With any luck, that should set to right whatever it was that Adric had done.

Once again, the Doctor set the controls, and the TARDIS was off to take himself, Jack and Rose back to the same spot – Just in the ‘Future‘ once again.

PRESENT

“T-Minus 10 seconds. 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-FIRE”

Sharrel pressed the button. “Victory for Pallia” he exclaimed as he did so, and was grinning to himself as all lights went out, the power being routed directly to the Project. Certainly, this would cause Pallia to itself revert to a more simple age – But without their ability to wage the War, Tante would never be able to respond.

Now it was a waiting game. Soon, he would be able to activate what power reserves were left, and glance up to the heavens to see the darkened planet of Tante. He imagined the Queen would be pleased.

FUTURE

“There you go. A perfect example of how the pen is mightier than the sword” said The Doctor as they all looked through the viewer at the Twin Worlds once again. Both worlds were lush and green.

PRESENT

The communicator rang for his attention, his first indication that minimal power had returned. As he had predicted, it was the Queen. Sharrel preened for a moment, and flipped on his imager as he answered the call. Glancing at a monitor, it was with horror that he saw the lights still blazing on the world of Tante as he heard the words from his Queen.

“How could you MISS?”