He sat comfortably in a plush easy chair, his feet propped up on an equally as plush hassock. It was his favorite chair in the vast library. Set in a private little nook, it had everything he needed to do his research. To his right was a Victorian-style writing desk. Quill pens lay readied in their ink bottles for when he made his notes. To his left was an end table from the same period as the writing desk. It was carved ornately, and had an original Tiffany lamp providing the light for his reading.This was practically his home, now. Researching the fields of temporal physics and trying to make heads or tails of the various technical journals he came across. At first he had great difficulty understanding the tomes he brought to his little sanctuary, but with persistence he eventually began to grasp the concepts of time travel. The intricacies still eluded him. Even so, he was determined to learn. If he ever decided to return to the late 1990's, it seemed practical that he should research the necessities in case he needed to steer the time machine, himself. He corrected himself. It wasn't an ordinary time machine. It was a TARDIS, which stood . for "Time And Relative Dimensions In Space". It did far more than simply travel through time - it also travelled through space and relative dimensions.
Although the actual mechanics of it remained his biggest stumbling block, he could grasp the basic concept behind the TARDIS. Simply put, it manipulated time, space, and dimensions in order to travel from here to there: here might be the late 1990's on Earth and there might be anywhere and anywhen. Powered by energies beyond his comprehension, the TARDIS could do almost anything if only you knew how to enter that information into its databanks. If you knew how to do that, you could control it to go anywhere in time, space, and dimension you wished. There was his problem. The only person who knew how to work the TARDIS was an eccentric woman whom he had joined over a year ago.
Start cutting here! DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE THE BOTTOM OF STALKERP15!
She opened the exit doors, "What better time to get used to our new home, then?"
"I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I."
Reluctantly, he followed her outside. As the automatic doors of the TARDIS closed behind him he glanced back at the blue, ornate cabinet that was its exterior. It fascinated him how the TARDIS was infinitely larger on the inside than the outside. However, there was something that bothered him.
"Why this, particular shape?" he asked.
She turned to him sharply, "Is there something wrong with it?"
"I've read that it's possible to change the outward appearance of the TARDIS to blend in with the surroundings. This sticks out like a sore thumb!"
"I think it does its job."
"Of course you would. With your taste in clothes you stick out like the opposing, sore thumb."
"There's no need in getting personal about this, young man. For one thing, we have no time for this bickering."
"What do you think? Very anachronistic, while maintaining a Westernized, Orientalesque feel. Who gave you the idea for it, Charlie Chan? Or was it Fu Manchu?"
She took an empirical stance. "As you should know from your unceasing research into the subject, the TARDIS is merely a three-dimensional representation of the mathematical formula of its relative position in the space/time continuum. Therefore, its apparent form is irrelevant. Not only that, it could be said that it does not exist at all!"
He nodded slowly. "Oh. I get it. You can't fix that anymore than you can anything else in the TARDIS."
Ignoring him, she felt the wall with her fingertips and produced a thick coat of dust and grime. "Wherever we are, it's not the most sterile of environments."
"Nor the most hospitable," he muttered under the sweltering heat.
After taking a good look at where they were, something made his flesh crawl. There was an indeterminate smell, musty with age. Or was it death? The flickering shadows were enough to make him start imagining things. It almost seemed alive. He could swear he felt unseen eyes watching him from the blackness.
She put her hand on his shoulder. "You're not afraid of the dark, are you?"
"Just of what might be lurking in it, Doc."
"A coward dies many deaths," she chided.
"I'm just worried about the one I have, if you don't mind."
"It'll be alright, Evan. I'm here!"
She abruptly grabbed the lapels of her frock coat and started off at a brisk pace. Evan, not wanting to be left far behind, hurried off after her.
"The TARDIS is at the target sight."
The Rth'Lah regarded the Majestrix cautiously as it maneuvered its transport globe beside the data screen. Tentacles wavered absently as it studied the information that was displayed. The ornate, light blue cabinet with the pagoda on top was now in a darkened corridor, lit only by torchlight.
The globe swiveled in the air and the alien's eyes regarded her directly. "Where is the Doctrix?"
"The dimensional energies that are building within the temple are causing distortions. I can't get a precise readings. The best your instruments can manage are indeterminate signs of life."
"Are you prepared for transport?"
She nodded, "If you're sure that your race's ability to fold dimensions can bring us to Daraan."
"The Rth'Lah are masters at dimensional manipulation, Majestrix. My bringing you to Daraan is not a cause for concern."
"Of course, Ynrn. I meant no disrespect."
"My only concern is this specimen you have provided us. Her inherent instability jeopardizes the Darkling's survival."
"I explained to you that the only way you could pierce the dimensional barriers my people placed around the Shadow Dimensions was through the DNA matrix. By cloning our specimen, we also clone her essence."
"I understand that principle better than you can. Only through the merging of the dimensional interfaces within the DNA matrix could the Rth'Lah hope to provide our progenitor with an appropriate avatar."
"Do not forget that I provided you the proper matrix that allowed the Darkling to again manifest physically. My people never considered one of their own betraying this faith to unleash their greatest enemy."
"That is why you still live, Majestrix. You do not have to be trusted for you to carry out the vital work to provide us the means of reuniting with our progenitor. Soon, the universe will feel the wrath of the Darkling."
"Any Galfreyan is as good as another. The Rth'Lah only needed a host body provided by one of my people. I have provided the Doctrix. Her inherent instability need not concern you anymore than your ability to manipulate dimensions need concern me."
"You cannot be trusted. You betray your own birthright for your personal pursuit of power."
"Ynrn, I have waited centuries waiting for the chance to see my world of Galfrey be destroyed by their own dark secrets. At the very least, your race has provided me much amusement in causing these things to unfold for my fellow Time Lords."
"Do not worry. The Brood Queen has promised that you will be present when we destroy your world, Majestrix."
The underlying meaning did not escape her. She was being used every bit as she was using the Rth'Lah for her own schemes. She ignored the attempt to distract her concentration and smiled sweetly.
"How nice," she cooed. "I must thank her, personally."
The cephalopod's skin changed color for a moment. Deep orange turned into coppery hues. It was obvious that her ability to maintain her privacy with her thoughts irked the alien. Its transport globe swiveled back to the data screen abruptly, almost angrily.
Ynrn forced his thoughts into her mind, "Prepare for transport."
Unnoticed, she slipped a hand-held device into her pocket. She pressed a button on its control face and a green light began flashing. "Proceed at your leisure."
Reality twisted inside-out around them. What had once been the laboratory became the vast depths of space within seconds. Although she felt no motion, the twisted view of reality zoomed by at incredible speeds. Throughout their trip, the alien's body was strobing with a myriad of colors. It was a beautiful sight. It almost made her sorry for what she was about to do. Almost.
The planet of Daraan was rocketing towards them. The Majestrix slipped her hand into her pocket, carefully watching the creature as they neared the end of their journey. As they neared their destination, she tossed the device at Ynrn.
"Catch!" she dove for cover as the bomb exploded violently. Everything around her grew black and the last sounds she heard before she returned to reality was the piercing scream of the dying creature.
Mahv spread his arms and chanted ancient words of power. Around him, the others were kneeling on the stone floor. The pit between them roared with crackling flames. This was an unholy ritual of communion. Those who had gathered represented the resurrected Cult of the Dark. The ritual they were celebrating was one that united them with the dark forces throughout the temple. They each could feel the energies their actions were bringing to life.
"Brethren!" Mahv suddenly cried out above the din. "We dedicate ourselves to the return of the Darkling. I dedicate myself as the channel for the Darkling. I accept the responsibility of becoming the Darkling's avatar. I embrace my duties as high priest, and recognize my life is at an end. It belongs now to the avatar."
The others began chanting the same ancient words Mahv, as their high priest, had been chanting a moment ago. The air grew heavier with each passing moment. The flickering shadows on the wall seemed to be animated with a life of their own.
Then it happened. The fire suddenly collapsed into itself as the darkness swallowed them in its shadows. An inhuman scream echoed throughout the chamber. Reality seemed to twist around them and the eyes they had always felt watching from the shadows seemed to take shape.
Mahv was ready for what was happening, "I accept the Darkling into my soul and drink in the shadows as my being! Let the ancient prophecies be fulfilled!"
As suddenly as it started, it stopped. In the ominous silence that pervaded the chamber, nothing felt it could ever be the same again.
The moment she collapsed, Evan was at her side. "Doc! What's wrong?"
The Doctrix's eyes were glazed over. It was a sudden and abrupt change from the woman who was bounding down the corridor with what appeared to be endless energy. He was getting used to how quickly she could change her mood, but this was too much.
"It appears I'm having some kind of attack," she gasped.
"I'm taking you back to the TARDIS."
"It's serious, Evan," she winced. "I don't think that the TARDIS will be enough. We need to find help."
"You said that whoever was behind our arriving here could be out and about. We'll be handing ourselves over!"
"Need I remind you that you argued over my little suspicions? That's only a possibility."
"But ..."
"Quickly! I haven't much time. I'm slipping away already."
Without another word, he helped her down the corridor at a frantic pace. Supporting her weight. in addition to the urgency he felt, began to take its toll. He stumbled and fell towards a black shadow against the wall. To his surprise, he fell through what he had thought to be the wall to discover a set of stairs leading upwards. Cautiously, he helped the Doctrix through the stairway and headed up into the unknown.
The Majestrix felt her body contort as it was thrown clear of the residual warping that lingered after Ynrn's unfortunate accident. Her body impacted with solid stone when she returned to reality. Wherever she was, there was a silence that battered her senses. She felt her body begin to twist and contort again. Did that make it a dimensional phenomenon?
Her senses returned to normal and she became aware of where she was. A great chamber whose walls, ceiling, and floor was made of polished ebonite. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she had reached Daraan. That was when she became acutely aware of the unnatural nature of the shadows in the room.
Shenu was the first to regain his senses in the chamber. Despite the darkness, there was an eerie light that allowed him to see. He was shocked when he discovered the reason. The bonfire had become a living thing of pure shadow, glowing with an unearthly power. Within the shadow he could see a figure laying on its back.
He was sure that it would be Mahv. Who else but the high priest could become the avatar of the Darkling? That was what Mahv had always said was expected by prophecy.
Lifting himself up, he caught sight of Mahv. He was still unconscious. Curiosity inspired Shenu to get to his feet and he cautiously approached the writhing shadows. As he drew near, he could make out that the figure was a woman.
Dressed in strange clothing made of colors that didn't quite match, the blonde woman in the shadows suddenly snapped her eyes open. The were a deep green and glowed with an inner power. Shenu couldn't help but gasp in his surprise. It wasn't the woman's opening her eyes without warning - it was the way how her body appeared to be shifting of its own accord in ways that were unnatural. The shape of her body was changing as he watched.
Her green eyes became deep violet with gold flecks that glowed with power. Her unruly, curly hair grew as he watched and became flowing, black hair. Even her clothes changed as he watched, becoming a crimson gown. As her body stopped changing, the torchlight from the walls became more and more pronounced. He became acutely aware of how stunning and beautiful she was.
She sat up suddenly, "I am reborn!"
Shenu fell to his knees before her and feared for his life. "I am your humble servant, Darkling."
Silence. He peeked upwards to see her looking around the chamber intently for something. She walked past him as if he weren't even there. She walked to the far side of the chamber. Shenu sat up. The Darkling had chosen to greet one of her own. However, it was not one of the cultists. It was another woman. Where did she come from?
The Darkling seemed to recognize the haughty and harsh features of this other woman. "My master."
Shenu didn't know what to make of what he watched. The Darkling was evil incarnate. How could evil incarnate have a master?
Evan found himself at a dead-end at the top of the stairs. It was frustrating. He noticed the Doctrix looking at him curiously.
"There must be a hidden door somewhere," she whispered.
Evan wanted to argue. How could she be so sure? How did she know that this wasn't some chamber that the builders had designed to hold the weight of some pyramid? He wanted to challenge her quick assumption. He wanted to. But he couldn't. Not now. Not with her life dangling by a delicate thread.
He felt around on the stones and was shocked to eventually find a hidden trip for the wall in front of him to unlock. He pushed the door open, desperate to find help. He emerged in a chamber where a group of bare-chested men were gathered around a brazier. They were as shocked as he was.
The Doctrix took advantage of the awkward situation despite her condition. Pushing away from Evan, she stretched her arms wide in friendship.
"Greetings," she smiled. "I am the Doctrix."
That having been said, she collapsed. Evan moved to help her and was stopped short by what he saw.
"Oh, no," he said in a small voice. "Not again."
As he watched, her body began to shift and change. His worst fears had become a reality - she was regenerating.
