Knight Progenitor

  Chapter Three

  "I'm NOT going to ride around on a HORSE again!"

  "Yes you will. Relax. It won't be for four years."

  "Why can't we just use the TARDIS?"

  "Because it's important they don't know you're here. That's why she landed in a cave."

  "I am getting very TIRED of this! I don't LIKE being led about! One step at a TIME! I WANT more information, TECH! And I WANT IT NOW!"

  "Doctor, I do NOT respond well to being YELLED at! We are going to find my SISTER! We are going on HORSEBACK! YOU have to find the ANSWERS! I CAN'T GIVE THEM TO YOU!"

  "Doctor, Tech, please. You will damage my auditory circuits."

  "I'm sorry, Data. Doctor, I really can't tell you. You have to live your life as it passes. The reason we ride the horses is they want to show you something. It's their idea, not mine."

  "Why didn't you say that in the first place? Come with me. I'll take you to the tack room."

  The Doctor smiled. Data wasn't having any problems, but all three boys were going to be quite sore. The saddles weren't particularly uncomfortable, but they'd been created for other people.

  "Doctor, we have seen no non-equine people. May I inquire why?"

  "This land belongs to the horses, Data. There are cities and towns of people of our apparent physical type over a large portion of the planet, but not here."

  "Tech has said the majority of the humanoid population of this planet are telepathic, as are the horses. Why have they not met us?"

  "They don't usually come here. Perhaps they know when I visit, but if I land in one of the horses' areas they don't look for me. Or they may not know. This telepathic society has some pretty strict codes about not minding other people's business. Peeking without being invited is considered the height of bad manners. Learning NOT to pick up thoughts from the minds of others is one of the first things a telepathic child is taught."

  "That is quite different than the people of Beta Zed of my universe. Are all of the people of this world descended from the group I met?"

  "No, telepaths from all over this galaxy have migrated here. For many of them it's a refuge. There are even a few other non-humanoid enclaves besides those of the horses. True telepathic species are rare, Data. Most of the people here are the progeny of people who were misfits on their own worlds."

  "Doctor, there are two horses with riders approaching."

  "Whoa! Let's get out of here! Our horses don't want to meet them!"

  The Doctor gave the rearing horse his head. Data copied the Doctor's body positioning and rode the running horse well. Tech 'remembered', but his body didn't. Doc had ridden before, but he was quite a bit larger than he had been and not fully coordinated in his new body. Diz had learned on a holodeck, but hadn't spent a great deal of time at it. They, basically, held on and bounced.

  The horses stopped in the rocks behind a ridge. The Doctor jumped off and scrambled up the ridge. Data followed. The boys climbed down, but Tech held Doc and Diz back.

  "Doc, did you see him?!"

  "Yeah, Diz. We had horses, but nobody could ride like that. Nobody."

  Tech sat down and groaned. "He does everything better than anybody else. Always will. Wait'll you see him shoot. Data may the only one in any universe who can do most things as well."

  Diz sat down beside him. "Data's a machine, but I think the Doctor is his hero. He wants to grow up to be just like him."

  "Yes, and he will and so will we. It'll just take several hundred years."

  "Tech, you and I and Doc look too much alike... I mean I believe in coincidence, but... "

  "The answer is yes."

  "That's why he saved me. How you found me."

  "Nice to know you're not an orphan, isn't it?"

  "I knew it as soon as we all woke up on Cordahm. You and Tech were just too much alike in your emotional 'feel'. And every time he looks at the three of us, he gets this sort of surprised glow. I've always been able to feel what other people were feeling, but you two and he feel 'family'. I guess I was looking for confirmation before I said anything about it though."

  "I wonder why neither of our mothers told us, Doc."

  "I don't know about yours, Diz, but I never asked mine. She always ached a little when she talked about him. I got most of the stories of their time together from my brother Wren."

  The Doctor and Data rejoined them and the Doctor was mad. "Let's get going. I'm going to stop this. Now. Tech, take us to Gwen. I've seen what the horses wanted to show me. Presumably they're doing it to people too."

  "They are. If they attacked them in an ordinary way, they could fight back. They don't, just grab one or two at a time. Sometimes right out of their homes. Whole families. Gwen's about ten kilometers south of here. Neaht will take us to her."

  The Doctor vaulted on the big black and rode out. Tech said, "You can't catch him, Data. Stick with us. I know where Gwen will be. He'll be waiting for us when we get there. We need you to help us ride better. You saw everything he did. Tell us what we're doing wrong."

  He rode south. The horse knew where he wanted to go. He would find the ones who had built the horrific devices. They would be stopped. He hated slavery of any type and this was the kind he hated most, mechanical enslavement of the mind. He would not allow it, not on the world named Liberty.

  Gwen was waiting for him. "Hi, Daddy. I remembered Neaht found you. I've got a couple people I want you to meet. They have first hand experience."

  "Good. Take me to them."

  "We have to set them free first. They're about two kilometers from here, or will be soon after we get there."

  He swung her up behind him and Neaht trotted west. "Have you found out why this is happening?"

  "They evidently have a use for telepaths. I don't know anything else. I've only been here a few hours, Daddy."

  "You don't know what we learn about it?"

  "You don't want to know everything and you said there were, quote, "too damn few mysteries" in our lives already. I don't know, Daddy."

  "Amazing. I actually agree with myself on something. They must be using some kind of telepathic damper to keep themselves hidden. Gwen, please try not to call me Daddy. I'm not. Or not yet."

  "I'll try. We'll both try. Tech will do better than I will. I remember I don't usually remember."

  They rode into the yard of a small stead. Neaht waited for them to dismount, then trotted away. The Doctor checked the place. It had been deserted for awhile, but showed signs of recent visitors. The solar generator was still operating and Gwen started cooking dinner. He assumed the food had been left by whoever had used the place as a temporary shelter. He sat on the porch and waited. He didn't have to wait long.

  The anti-grav car landed in the yard. The four men didn't see him sitting in the shadows on the porch. One of them manipulated a very sophisticated control unit and two young men climbed out of the car. Their blank expressions and the bands around their heads infuriated the Doctor. "I shall give you one chance to free them and leave." He stepped from the shadows as the men whirled to see who had spoken.

  "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

  "That was the question I was going to ask you. I am known as the Doctor. I've been waiting for you. Now, I believe it is your turn." He had been moving toward them as he spoke. Two were holding weapons on him.

  "Metin, get another control unit. I'm not leaving some 'path loose. Might as well not waste the chance to pick up a few more creds."

  "The answer was a bit indirect, but I will accept it. Now, who is paying you to kidnap telepaths?"

  "You'll find out soon enough. 'Course you won't really notice."

  "You've disappointed me. I really wanted a much more complete answer."

  Gwen watched from the porch. He grabbed one, spun him into another, caught the third as he backed out of the car and slammed his head into the door frame. He t
urned back to the man who had dropped the control unit and pulled a weapon. "You seem to be the only one left to answer my question. In case you've forgotten, it was; who's paying you to kidnap telepaths."

  "I'm going to burn a hole in you big enough to walk through."

  "Oh, I don't think so. You need me to keep you alive. My friend Neaht really wants to kill you, but he knows I wouldn't approve." Neaht snorted and the man turned to look behind him. The Doctor took his gun away.

  Gwen walked out of the shadows and picked up the control box. "You know, Daddy, remembering something isn't nearly as interesting as watching it happen. Let's see... There. It's off."

  "Gwen, please don't call me Daddy."

  "Sorry, I forgot. They'll be pretty dazed for a few minutes, but they'll be all right."

  "Take them inside. I think there's still some rope in my saddlepack. I'll secure these."

  "Don't bother tying them. Just disable the car and put them in it. Oh, and disarm the one who still has a weapon. Neaht will see to it they don't come out. Dinner's almost ready and the others will be here soon."

  He disabled the car and was putting the unconscious men in it when Data and the boys rode up. They helped. The Doctor turned to the terrified man. "Neaht, quit nipping his hair. You're scaring him. I'll be back to talk to you after dinner." The man dove through the car door and he closed it. He unsaddled Neaht and carried his tack onto the porch. Something smelled good. The boys laughed, unsaddled their horses and followed. Data was ahead of them.

  "Actually, I would rather not be mentioned."

  "I don't understand. You saved us from those slavers out there. We would like to reward you."

  "Daddy, tell them who you are."

  "Gwen! Please!"

  "Oops. Sorry."

  Doc, Tech and Diz nearly fell out of their chairs. The expression on his face was absolutely pained. The two young men looked at the laughing group and then back to the Doctor. Both were sorely tempted to do a little telepathic snooping.

  "Why do you prefer they not mention you, Sir?"

  "I would rather do this little investigation without the notoriety, Data. I rather imagine they would remember me."

  Tech recovered enough to say, "I don't think remember quite covers it, Dad."

  "PLEASE! I will NOT be your father for several hundred YEARS!"

  Doc and Diz grinned at each other. They couldn't resist. Doc said, "How about us? Do we get to call you Daddy?" Even Data understood the laughter and joined in. He was getting much better at it.

  The Doctor buried his face in his hands and groaned, then stood and leaned on them on the dinner table. "I'm going out to question our prisoners. IF you feel it is absolutely NECESSARY to tell these people who I am, you may DO so!" He stalked out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

  "Would someone kindly tell me what's going on before I break all the rules of polite society and look for myself."

  Tech put a hand on the young man's wrist. "I'm sorry, Martin. You've been caught in the middle of a family joke. We're all a bit of a shock to him. You see, Doc's from the past, Gwen and I are from the future, and Diz is from another universe. So's Data."

  Martin turned to look at his friend Darrin, then they both looked back at Tech. He hadn't helped. They were totally lost. And beginning to get very nervous.

  "Please, don't look at us like that." Gwen could read their thoughts on their faces. "If we tell you who he is, you have to keep it off the vid. The horses know, but they won't tell. He could get in a lot of trouble for interfering. He's not supposed to get involved, but he can't stand by and watch the people of this world be enslaved. He's THE Doctor."

  Martin caught Darrin as he started to fall off his chair. "I don't think he was ready for that. He's a history buff. You just told him you walked out of one of his books. I'm not sure I was ready for it either."

  "Now you know why he didn't want to tell you who he was."

  "Yes, Gwen. I do. I'll keep it off the vid, but I'm going to have to tell the government." He smiled. "The strange thing about a telepathic society is we can keep a secret. Of course, we're all in on it, but we can keep it." He closed his eyes and pathed his father. Within minutes, everyone on the planet knew the Doctor had come to save them. Within an hour, the President arrived with a small group of security men to take the prisoners away.

  "Madame President, they don't actually know who they're working for."

  "Please, Doctor, call me Myrna. You've given us more information than we had. We've never caught any of them before."

  "Myrna, I'm going to need their aircar. I have the coordinates of the pickup point and a call beacon. I'm about to be 'captured'."

  "You know, Doctor, I had always thought the tales about you and the woman called Liberty were exaggerated, legends embellished over time. Now I wonder if they even begin to tell the whole story."

  "I doubt it. Liberty was all they say and more. She is the finest woman I have ever known."

  The president heard much more than the Doctor knew he'd told her. This near mythical being loved the 'mother' of her world.

  "Daddy, I'm afraid."

  He looked up from the control device he had disassembled and spread on the table. She really was frightened. "Gwen, why are you afraid?" He was surprised when she sat on his lap and curled up, but he could see her need for reassurance.

  "I remember what's going to happen. I thought I was all prepared. I'm not. Oh, Daddy, I don't want it to be."

  "Tell me."

  She shook her head, leaned against him and cried. He held her and soothed her. And was angered by the unknown future that had frightened his child. He wasn't surprised when Tech joined them a few minutes later, sat on the floor next to him, and leaned his head against his leg. He WAS surprised when Doc and Diz sat down on the other side. He looked at Data, sitting across the table from him, and smiled.

  Data gathered the pieces of the control unit together to finish the reassembly. The Doctor had more important work to do.

  "We have one problem. None of you is the bounty hunter type."

  "We know. That's why we're going to wear the control units."

  "NO! I will NOT allow it, Tech! You are NOT going to take my PLACE!"

  "I'll have lots of company. You and Data are going to collect for all of us. Please don't argue, Dad. It's the way it is. Only you can pass as a bounty hunter. And only you can take over the ship and rescue us. They'll be very appreciative. We're quite a haul."

  "And what if they learn you're not telepaths?" They all laughed. He suddenly realized what he'd sensed, but ignored.

  "We're a complete set." Doc grinned. "Gwen can communicate two way even with the horses. Tech is that very rare bird a clairvoyant, or that's what they'll think. I'm an empath. And Diz, well, he's just learning, but he's got your power. You've been trying very hard not to see us as we really are. We're your children. Tech and Diz wouldn't have gotten the disease if they hadn't been telepaths. Two hearts isn't the only attribute of yours we inherited."

  "I still say no."

  "We figured you would." Diz smiled. "It's time you really got to know us. You'll need to be attuned to us. Otherwise you won't be able to stay with us mentally through this thing and we'll need you with us."

  "Daddy, you're afraid for us. I'm afraid too, but I know we'll be all right. I'll keep you with us the whole time. I can read all the commands of the persons using the control units in their minds. We'll know exactly what to do so they won't catch us. Come outside." Gwen took his hand and tugged him toward the door. "We'll all lay in the sun and learn who we are. You know you can't change the past. This is my past. It must be."

  "Gwen, there are things about me I don't even let myself know."

  She laughed. "We aren't going to learn ALL about you. You'll be in control of part of it and we won't share our future memories, but we want you to know us."


  Data followed them out and sat on the porch. He watched them coax the Doctor into lying on the grass in the sun. His reluctance was obvious. They lay down around him and closed their eyes. The Doctor lay staring up at the clouds. Finally he sighed and closed his eyes. He could tell when the Doctor dropped his barriers. The four children thrashed on the ground. It was over in seconds. The Doctor sat up, then walked over and joined Data on the porch.

  "Doctor, what has happened?"

  "They'll be all right, Data. I was careful. They'll recover in a few minutes. I'm rather proud of them. They will all become very special people. I still don't like what they plan, but Tech and Gwen showed me their certainty they'll be all right. I still don't know what Gwen was crying about. They say I have to learn in time. When this is over, I have a request to make of you. And Captain Picard. They're waking."

  He went from one to the other, helping each one rise. He gripped each boy's shoulders, looked into his eyes, smiled and moved to the next. Gwen he pulled into his arms. He hurt for her. He laid his head on hers and held her for a moment. Something would happen and she wouldn't allow him to prevent it, but he promised himself the ones who caused her pain would be destroyed. He released her and walked back to the porch.

  "Data, we'll need disguises. Your uniform and my coat are a bit too noticeable. See if you can find something inside. I'm going for a walk. I need to be alone for a few minutes. Perhaps it was a good thing I was given a haircut."

  Data watched the Doctor walk away. His tone had been ironic, but he was correct. His blond curls would have accentuated the resemblance. All of the four had fair curly hair, Doc's reddish, Diz' golden, Tech's pale ash and Gwen's natural platinum

  Data carried a few items he thought might be useful to the porch. He selected a shirt and pants and drew them on over his uniform, then sat down on the porch to wait. The four were still sitting in the sun holding hands when the Doctor returned. He walked past them without stopping.

  "Good. These will do." The Doctor removed his coat, tie and vest, then unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt. He put on the work stained leather vest and rolled up his sleeves. He examined the worn leather boots, removed his shoes and put them on. "Not a bad fit. Here's a weapon belt, Data. We wouldn't look right without them."

  "Doctor, this weapon is nonfunctional."

  "So is mine, Data. They're part of the disguise. I don't carry weapons. Do I look like a bounty hunter?"

  "Doctor, you look most sinister. However, I would suggest you do not smile. It tends to ruin the effect."

  The Doctor laughed. Data was pleased and carefully re-examined what he had said. He had made a successful joke. He just had to decide what it had been.

  Tech left the others and approached the porch. "Sir, we are ready."

  "Please, Tech, that's even worse than Daddy. Let's try for Doctor." He smiled and some of Tech's diffidence disappeared. He'd known this would happen. It was one of several reasons he hadn't wanted to do it.

  "Yes, Doctor. I'm beginning to learn how inadequate memory is. I remembered this, but I didn't begin to comprehend the reality."

  "I'm sorry, but it was your idea."

  Tech suddenly grinned. "Yes, and it was a good one. But it's a bit like a third helping of chocolate cake, rather more than I wanted before I was done."

  The Doctor laughed. "Shall we go? I find I'm looking forward to this with the same anticipation as a visit to the dentist. I'd like to get it over with. Data, load the saddles and tack into the aircar. I'll repair my sabotage. Tech, you and the others help him. Clean up the place and bring my coat and vest."

  Tech turned to Data and said, "You know, it's amazing. I've just learned he's the most loving, caring, being in existence. He's also the deadliest." He shivered. "I feel sorry for the people he's going to get angry with. They don't stand a chance. Come on, Data. I'll load you up. You're about as deadly as he is, but right now all I'm interested in is how many trips that android strength of yours can save me."

  The Doctor handed his children over and collected the reward. As soon as the pickup shuttle left, he threw it on the ground. He didn't realize he'd been paid more than usual. The little accountant had taken one look at him and been too frightened to count straight. He'd also agreed to send someone in higher authority down for a meeting. He tried very hard to do it.

  The eight guards found a way to pass the five hour shuttle flight. They invited the accountant, but he refused. He sat in a corner, hid his face and trembled. He kept seeing the cold gray eyes of the hunter.

  Data watched the Doctor. He sat on the ground and leaned against a rock. He stared into the sky and sat motionless. Except for his hands, which clenched and unclenched for the four hours he sat there.

  "Data, when we get to the ship, remind me I don't believe in killing. I'm going to need the reminder."

  "Doctor, I do not believe in killing either, but I have learned I can choose to do so. I think it would be well if you reminded me also." The Doctor smiled. The smile didn't ruin the effect of his disguise.

  The guards hadn't done anything unusual. They made the run every two days. They made the journey once more. They didn't return from it. Gwen had made friends.

  No one was there to remind the horses not to kill. They wouldn't have listened anyway. The accountant hid behind the shuttle. The two bounty hunters got in the way. Three very dazed telepaths flew the aircar home. Neaht had done a very thorough job of smashing the control unit.

  The accountant was sent to the medical ward. He sat in a corner and gibbered about horses with cold gray eyes.

  They removed the devices from their fellow prisoners. Doc helped them through the trauma. Tech and Diz rewired the headpieces. Gwen searched the minds controlling the ship. They were all mercenaries. Even the captain didn't know who his employers were. She found the mind of the little accountant. She helped him find peace the only way he could. The medic never did understand why he died. Or why he was smiling. Gwen had told him he was forgiven.

  Each night she slept with her brothers curled protectively around her. They hadn't let the Doctor see what was going to happen to them, but he had been with them when it happened. They had needed his strength. He was angry with them, but blamed himself. They sought to comfort him and found themselves comforted. They healed quickly. He would never completely heal.

  "Data, we've got a signal." The Doctor didn't know he was the only 'bounty hunter' left on the planet. The mercenaries were quitting. There was nothing in their contract about being trampled to death.

  Data answered the signal. The Doctor had become motionless and closed his eyes. As he walked toward the tight beam transmitter/receiver in the aircar, he contemplated the human proverbs about everything happening at once. It had been six days. Now the 'doorbell' and the 'phone' were both ringing. He acknowledged the message and rejoined the Doctor.

  "They're getting ready to run, Data. They plan on 'paying us off'. It seems we've become expendable. The kids have freed the telepaths from the control units, but they're locked in a hold. We'll have to get up there."

  "A shuttle will be landing in seven point three minutes, Doctor."

  "Yes, they plan on 'disposing' of us. Shall we arrange to be a 'disposal' problem?"

  "What is your plan, Doctor?"

  The shuttle landed and the guards peered out the door. The bounty hunter sat on an aircar with a weapon on his lap. The two guards stepped out of the shuttle and covered him.

  "Gentlemen, that is a most unfriendly gesture. I think you should lower your weapons before you make my companion nervous." He nodded toward Data, who had just stepped out from behind the shuttle and stood holding a weapon on them. "Put the weapons away. We've decided to go with you." The Doctor smiled and climbed off the aircar. He rested the barrel of his weapon on his shoulder, walked over and leaned against the shuttle next to the hatch. "Hide the a
ircar."

  The two guards stared as Data walked over, picked up the back of the aircar in one hand and dragged it into the bushes. The Doctor said, "Just a word of warning, don't mention his yellow eyes. He's very sensitive about them." He smiled and gestured at the open hatch. "After you."

  The Doctor closed his eyes and pretended to nap on the five hour journey. Data did not. Neither did the guards. They kept watching him watching them and reminding themselves not to say anything about his yellow eyes. The pilot had become very cooperative too, right after the Doctor decided the copilot's seat looked comfortable and had Data remove it and place it where he wanted it. Data had only pulled out a few sections of floor while removing it.

  The Doctor was enjoying himself. Data could see it. He was also experiencing the harmonious function that was his analog to pleasure. It was the first real smile the Doctor had worn in days.

  The shuttle docked and they disembarked. A surprised guard raised his weapon and the Doctor took it away from him. He said, "That wasn't very nice." He handed the weapon to Data and he broke it in three pieces. He handed the pieces to the guard, smiled his mechanical smile and followed the Doctor out of the shuttle bay.

  "Doctor, where are we going?"

  "The bridge. I'd like to speak to the captain."

  "I believe the next corridor to the left would be the most direct route."

  "Thank you, Data. Why don't you call me Doc? I think that would fit with the disguise."

  "May I use an alias also?"

  "Of course. What did you have in mind?"

  "I believe Leroy is suitable."

  The Doctor smiled. "Yes, Leroy is quite good."

  They removed the two guards at the door and the Doctor strolled onto the bridge. Data did a rather good imitation. He was becoming adept at the part he was playing. The Doctor was teaching him to improvise. It was something he had been working on for quite some time.

  "Captain, I've decided we should have a little talk."

  The captain spun in his chair and stared at the extremely muscular man standing two meters away with a weapon resting on his shoulder. "Who are you and how did you get in here?"

  Data said, "Doc, would you like a chair?"

  The Doctor smiled. Data was enjoying himself. "Yes, Leroy, I believe I would."

  Data walked over to the man seated at the ops station and said, "Excuse me, would you mind standing?" The surprised man stood and Data pulled his chair out of the deck. He carried it to the Doctor.

  "Leroy, that looks a bit wobbly. Do something to make it steadier."

  Data turned the chair over, ripped its post into three sections and bent them into a tripod. "Is that better, Doc?"

  "Yes, Leroy, much better. Thank you." The Doctor sat down in the chair. "Leroy, several of these people look very nervous. Nervous people shouldn't have weapons. They might go off."

  "That is true, Doc. I shall see they do not." Data circled the bridge taking weapons, breaking them in two and handing them back.

  The Doctor watched the captain watching Data and smiled. "Now, Captain, about that discussion we were going to have."

  The captain was very cooperative.

  The Doctor sighed as he stepped over the body. He had hoped to take the ship without any killing, but some of the mercenaries just wouldn't cooperate. They hadn't wanted to let their cargo go until they got paid for them. The cargo had other ideas.

  "Hello."

  "Dad!" He was almost knocked down when they barreled into him. He extricated himself from his children's hug gently. "Was anyone in here hurt?"

  Tech grinned and said, "Nobody on our side."

  "Good. Organize shuttle departures and let's get these people home. Tech, bring the TARDIS up. Data will pilot one shuttle, Doc and Diz the other two. Data is guarding about fifty prisoners on the shuttle deck. Take a few with you on each trip. Oh yes, call him Leroy." The four burst into laughter.

  They made about three trips with each shuttle. Tech found the aircar and unloaded it into the TARDIS. He landed it in the hold as the last few freed prisoners prepared to leave. He grinned as he made his way to the bridge. The two young women who had watched him and sighed hadn't hurt his ego at all. He walked onto the bridge and looked around in surprise. It was a mess. Every panel was off and wiring hung out everywhere. "Hello, is anybody buried in this trash?"

  The Doctor crawled out from beneath the partially dismantled con station and said, "Ah, good. Help at last."

  "Doctor, help at what? Besides making a mess."

  "I'm rebuilding this rather primitive equipment for us to use. We are about to become a mercenary force."

  "Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot."

  "Actually, I'm extremely delighted to hear it. Your remembering everything, past, present and future is a bit embarrassing. My memory isn't particularly good."

  "I'm not sure I believe that. I think you just have other things to think about. It's all there."

  "Oh, I know it's all there. It's just not particularly well organized."

  "Let's see. How does that go? 'I have all the information, but I can't remember where I filed the index'."

  "Tech, which one of my personas is your father?"

  "Sorry, you made us promise not to tell you. You said Mom was the most wonderful surprise in your life and we weren't to spoil it. You were sure you wouldn't forget."

  "I doubt I'll forget you either."

  "You don't, but you only know we'll happen. Not when. Just someday."

  "I see. I think."

  "It isn't soon."

  "You already told me that."

  "When?!"

  "When you destroyed the H-miron drive. You said I wouldn't invent it for several hundred years."

  Tech started to laugh. He sat down, then laid on the floor. Laughing. When he recovered as far as the burbling stage, the Doctor asked, "May I know what that was about?"

  "I had no intention of telling how far in the future we came from other than, not soon. I just realized what one of my earliest memories of you meant."

  "Well?"

  "We were sick. Everybody but you. Even Mom. A stupid little stomach virus that made us all miserable for about two days. You were changing us all. Again. The girls were trained and I nearly was, but the flu hit us hard. You stood in the middle of the floor and shouted, "I can't believe I spent hundreds of years in anticipation of spending four YEARS changing diapers!"

  The Doctor started to laugh. Tech sat and grinned at him. He knew he would never get over what had happened to them, but he had gotten past the worst of it.

  Gwen paced the floor. She didn't quite know how to tell him. She knew she would, but she didn't remember how. Tech walked in, sat down, and held her while she cried. It had been part of acting controlled. None of them were going to be able to forget it.

  "Gwen, you know where to go. He has to find you there. You're the first."

  "Adric, I just don't know what to say. To either of them. I just want to take a shuttle and run."

  "You can't. You know I take you in the TARDIS. You know he needs you. You also know he'll understand."

  "I know, but it doesn't make it any easier. At least I don't have to tell him when the pain is new. He doesn't have to know now."

  "No, not now."

  Doc knocked on the door frame. "Gwen, what's wrong? I, well, I'm not sure why I'm here. I just knew you were hurting and thinking about me."

  Tech turned away from her and said, "Doc, this is your place. I have to do something else. I'll bring him to the TARDIS, Gwen. You can't leave without saying good-by."

  Doc looked from Tech to Gwen. "Good-by? You're leaving? I don't understand."

  Tech pulled the door closed. Diz would find them soon. Doc would need him. He couldn't handle what she was going to tell him alone. He went to find the Doctor. Things were about to get very bad and he couldn't even tell him why.

 
"I'll take her."

  "No, it has to be me. You're going to be needed here. Dad, I'm taking her to you. You'll be there for her, but you have to be here too. Please, I can't explain. One of us is going to need you desperately. Today."

  "If you're taking Gwen, that means Diz or Doc. Tech, tell me what's going on." He realized the boy was choking back tears. "Please, let me help."

  Tech just stood there and looked at him for a few seconds. "You can. Don't ask her anything. Don't ask any of us. Just be there. Come on. She wants to say good-by to this you."

  The Doctor followed Tech to the cargo hold. Tech went into the TARDIS, but he waited outside. Diz and Doc were with her. They stopped at the door. Gwen crossed the hold alone. She looked small and lost. He watched her and ached. He looked toward the door and saw Doc turn and run. Diz ran after him. Gwen sobbed and he crossed to her.

  "Gwen? Gwen, Tech said don't ask, so I won't, but please tell me it will be all right." He reached down, picked her up and carried her toward the TARDIS. She sobbed against his chest.

  "Daddy, it will be all right. It will even be wonderful, but not now. Now it's awful. I'm sorry. I'm going to meet you, but I'm going to miss you. You're funny and sweet and young. You're different and you're not. I love you, Daddy."

  "I'll miss you, Gwen. For hundreds of years, I'll miss my little girl." He set her down at the door of the TARDIS and held her a moment longer. He watched it disappear and for the first time felt the sense of loss so many had felt at the sound of its going.

  He was walking slowly across the hold when he heard Diz' desperate call in his mind. "Dad, help me! I can't stop him! Help me!" He ran toward the call. Driving himself. Faster. Faster. Pain. There was pain. And shame and fear. And pain. So much pain.

  He burst into the room and pushed Diz out of the way. He shouted, "MED-KIT! GET DATA! HE'S FASTER!" He held the life in his son with both hands. Doc had ripped himself open. Perhaps past regeneration. Blood poured from the wound. The Doctor held his son's abdomen closed and said, "Why? Why?"

  Data ran in with the med-kit. The two of them worked feverishly to stitch the severed veins and arteries. Diz ran in, knelt in the corner and cried. He felt all the guilt and shame. It could have been him. Why didn't he see it coming? Why couldn't he stop him? Why?

  "Data, you carry him to the aid station. Run and don't jostle him. I'll be right behind you. I have another casualty to deal with." Data lifted Doc and ran as only an android could, a flat even stride that was perfectly smooth. The Doctor went to his other son. "Diz, he'll make it. He's going to be all right. Diz?" He wasn't getting through. He picked his son up, carried him as he had carried Gwen just a few moments before.

  "I was with him. Tech told me to watch him. I couldn't stop him. It could have been me. I couldn't stop him. Why? Why?"

  Tech arrived with the deep healing beam from the TARDIS at almost the same time as the Doctor reached the aid station. He took it from him, said, "Help Diz." and turned his back on him. He began working on Doc with the deep healing beam.

  Tech walked over and sat in the floor next to Diz. Diz said, "I couldn't stop him, Tech. He was just too quick."

  "I know. You saved his life. You were there and you kept him alive. You called Dad. It was all you could do."

  "Why did it have to be him? I could have handled it. You could have. Why did it have to be him? He felt it all. All of it. Her pain and his. Why did it have to be him?"

  "There isn't any why. At least, none I can understand. Gwen and I both knew what was going to happen."

  "Does she know this?"

  "No. She'll never know. I'll never tell her. Neither will Dad. But at least he'll finally understand why."

  "Tech, how do you stand it? Knowing it all. Having to keep it all inside."

  "It's the way it is. There are good parts too. They really do outweigh the bad. I know he'll live. And laugh. And love too. I've got to be alone awhile. Dad will look for me soon. I need time to get ready for it. Diz... "

  "Go on. I'm all right. I'm pretty sturdy and I've got more people to lean on than I've had since Mom died when I was six." Tech gripped his shoulder and left.

  The Doctor finished with the beam and watched Doc sleeping peacefully for a moment. He turned to check on the other' casualty' and realized Diz was alone. He knelt down beside him. "Are you all right?"

  "Yes. When you find him, be careful. He's really in worse shape than the rest of us. He saw it all coming. He's lived with it since before he could talk. He carries it all. He can't even share it. Would fight to keep us from having to carry it. Forgive him. Show him things can be changed."

  "I hurt him deeply, didn't I? I was so angry he hadn't told me so I could prevent it that I hurt him."

  "Lord, we're a set. None of us is responsible for any of this and we're all beating ourselves up with guilt. I think it's time we all got some sense knocked into us. Why don't you find us some bad guys and a good fight?"

  The Doctor smiled. "That is a very good idea. Now, I have an apology to make. I haven't had a lot of practice."

  "I'm going to stay here. I think this is a good time to get better acquainted with my godfather."

  "Help Data. He's really confused. Explain it's a normal condition around here." The Doctor smiled and went to look for the last casualty. He found him curled up in front of the TARDIS doors.

  "Tech? Adric?"

  "I'm ready."

  "This is ridiculous. Something terrible happened. You can't tell me what it was. Not won't, can't. I'm angry because you have to carry all this alone. I'm jealous. No one should have a bigger load than mine." He smiled.

  Tech stared at him. "You changed it! You changed the way it happened!"

  "Yes, well, I'm not supposed to, but it seems to have become rather a habit. You will promise not to tell the High Council, won't you? They have a tendency to frown on my changing things. I think it confuses them. They alternate between making me Lord President and putting me on trial for my life for it. I'm not particularly fond of either and I'd really rather avoid both for awhile if possible."

  Tech started to laugh, then cry. The Doctor held one more child and soothed his tears. He smiled. He was getting rather good at it.