Post by Fitz Kreiner on Apr 19, 2010 19:46:44 GMT
Day one, Rameso.
I swear, there are times I could bloody kill the Doctor. My heart still skips slightly when I remember what he did then. A huge drop either side of this force field path thing and he folds his arms and throws himself to the side as if going to lean on a wall that wasn’t there. I remember taking a huge gasp as I expected to see him topple from the side and fall to his death. It’s not the first time that he’s done something like that and the complete opposite to what I expected has happened. Although there was the fact that I know the Doctor wouldn’t have done it if he was going to fall to his death. He’s done that before as well!
He just hovered there at the side, as though he really was leaning on a wall. I couldn’t believe it. It was almost amusing to see him leaning against nothing and smiling at us. I could almost imagine Charlie Chaplin doing something like that. For a brief moment I almost saw the Doctor with a bowler had, little ‘tache and cane. I think if we ever go to a fancy dress party, I’ll try and get him to go as Chaplin. Although I’ll bet he’s met him.
“Now this is something more akin to the force field you were expecting, Tom,” he said, still grinning at us. “But still a touch more advanced than that. Come along.”
Tom was the first on the force path but I still wasn’t sure. I hung back as I watched him take a few tentative steps before jump lightly testing the ground. Even that made my heart skip a beat. I’m not the best with heights at the best of times.
“Are you alright, Lady?” one of the Anubian guards behind me asked. I think it saw the fear in my eyes when I turned to look at it. “Do not fear, it is quite safe, no one has ever suffered an accident on the walkways.”
It was a relief to hear that. I just wished there were handrails. I think I might have said that, among a few other choice words, some of which were very unladylike as I stepped onto it. I didn’t want to look down as I walked, and held my hands out as if I was walking on a balance beam. The path didn’t dip or anything under my feet as I expected it to although there was a slight sound like walking in a small puddle. I could see Tom up ahead, he was standing on a circular stone island with two other paths going off it.
I didn’t realise until later that the circular stone island was actually the top of one of the marble pillars. I do remember the circle of grass on the top of the pillar and a cat sat on it licking its front paw and washing its face. Brave little bugger coming out here. I remember grabbing Toms hand as soon as I got within reaching distance of him. I didn’t bloody like that path thing! I think I dragged Tom close behind me as I followed the Doctor and Tuchaneth down another path. I was bloody happy when we got back onto solid ground.
There seemed to be a lot more arches around this area of the city, it reminded me of a really grand gothic cathedral. It was really spectacular. I only wish I’d taken a camera so I could put some piccies in here for you. Although I don’t think a normal camera would really capture what it was like, a 3d holo imaging camera might, but normal 2d wouldn’t.
“Where are we going?” I asked the Doctor.
“To go and see the Governor Rameso,” the Doctor replied. “Tuchaneth here said that he’s going to take us to have a quick chat and cup of tea with the Governor and then we’ll go to the guest village to see what accommodation they’ve got for us.”
This news seemed to unsettle Tom I think, he was quick to look up. If I’m honest, I still think he’s getting over the Moonbase and Cybermen. I don’t think he’s meant anything personally when he’s been a bit short. He snapped at me the other day and then sulked off into the TARDIS only to come back the next day and say how sorry he was and hugged me. It was one of those hugs where you know that they’re sorry. He can seem cold and standoffish at times, but he’s a big softie underneath. I just hope he doesn’t read this as he might not forgive me that one!
“We’re staying here?” he asked, a bit more hushed. “What about the TARDIS?”
“I think the Anubians would find it rude if we turned down their kind offer of accommodation, and we wouldn’t want that,” the Doctor replied.
“Are you saying they could go hostile?” Tom asked.
“Oh no! No, no, no, no, no,” the Doctor replied.
I quite like it when he gets into his repeating a word phase, he’s got a nice soft voice then and it really makes you feel safe and secure.
“They’re wonderfully peaceful,” the Doctor continued. “Almost as peaceful as the Thals, although not total pacifists, they will defend themselves if needs be, hence the aggravation between the Anubians and Drachnith Assemblage.”
He does know about them, unless it was said by Tuchaneth when I wasn’t paying attention. I decided to pick him up on this one and asked him what he knew.
“I’ve heard about the two races,” he replied. He was leading us to where Tuchaneth was waiting in what appeared to be a shaft of light. “They’re both immensely powerful and vast, the Anubians occupy at least half a galaxy at this point of time, although it’s a smaller galaxy than the Milky Way. The Drachnith on the other hand, they’re nomadic. The vast majority of the Assemblage inhabits the City ship, although I’m sure there are other ships than just the one. They have raiding parties, not too dissimilar to the Vikings of Earth.”
Alien Vikings, this was getting promising, although it did worry me somewhat that these aliens could come in on a rape and pillage attack on the station. I missed what the Doctor said after that, thinking about space Vikings, although I bet they weren't like Vikings, looks wise, although there was a part of me that half hoped for them to look like Thor and Odin. That’d have been great.
But yeah, like I said; I missed some of what the Doctor said, and I get the feeling that some of it was about the Drachnith not looking like Vikings. I did catch something about technology and cybernetics. I could feet Tom stiffen slightly beside me at the word, which I’m sure the Doctor spotted as well because he went on to reassure us about how the Drachnith were not totally cybernetic like the Cybermen. From what I can gather, they’ve got vestigial legs that are enhanced with cybernetics so that they can walk. Something about the biology of their race, they can walk without them but not as good. It was another of his long and complicated rambling explanations and I’m afraid I can’t remember it all.
By the time the Doctor had finished talking, we’d caught up with Tuchaneth. The Anubian was waiting patiently on what looked like a glass disc. It was when I stood on it that I realised it was a similar thing to those force paths. I could see down for what seemed like miles. And up too, as I found when I looked up. I felt those cold chills go down my spine again and my flesh crawled.
All four of us, the Doctor, me, Tom and Tuchaneth were now all stood on this disc, and I could actually smell Tuchaneth now, we were so close. He smelled slightly musty with a hint of wet dog, but not in an overpowering way. It wasn’t a bad smell, I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before with all the space dogs. I glanced up in time to see a cat trot across the disc above, its paws making little ripples.
“What is this thing?” I asked. I really didn’t like all the see-through floors and paths.
“The city transporter,” Tuchaneth replied looking down at me.
I felt so bloody small compared to all these Anubians.
“The Governing level,” Tuchaneth said.
I remember looking around when suddenly there was a load of flashing as if everything was moving round us down really fast. It was when it stopped and everything had changed that I realised that we had moved. I looked up and there wasn’t a disc above us, so I guessed we were at the top of the station. Looking around, there were what looked like large marble halls all around.
Before I could really take in the surroundings, we were off again, Tuchaneth leading us towards one of the largest and grandest looking buildings. At least, they looked like buildings. Anyway, this place looked like an old town hall crossed with Egyptian temple. It was fantastic, two large black marble obelisks guarded each side of the stairs to the doorway, statues of two Anubians in front of either of them. Then. To make it look like Jurassic Park, there were three flaming torches on the front of each obelisk as well.
I think Tom was equally awed by the sight as well, I heard him gasp and whistle in approval as he walked up the steps beside me. It’d be bloody good exercise to walk up those buggers each day. The doors to the hall were large and wooden with strange hieroglyphs carved over the top, inlaid with a strange black gemstone. It looked fantastic.
“Welcome to our Council Chambers,” Tuchaneth said as he lead us into the building.
The large hall looked like it was made from sandstone blocks or something, with a white marble floor. There was a black marble image of an Anubian head on the floor, like a crest. I couldn’t see it from where I was stood but as we walked up the stairs that wound up one of the walls it became clear.
I was still in awe as we were lead into the Governors chambers. I remember seeing the Hieroglyphs on the door, gold symbols laid into the dark wood. I wondered where they got all the wood from, in fact how the station seemed to be made of stone and wood. I doubt the outside of it was built like that, but I just don’t know. Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked again.
Governor Rameso was sat behind a huge ornate desk, a small gold statuette sat on it, and what looked like a sundial which was casting a shadow which seemed to contradict the light that was falling on it. It took me ages of staring at it before I twigged that the shadow was going the wrong way, it was like one of those pictures you get with the deliberate mistake in that you have to spot.
Rameso was a rather large Anubian, I noticed that when he stood up. He had jet black fur and rather grand looking clothes, if you can call the loin cloth things clothes. They were a richer darker blue than the others that I’d seen and he seemed to be wearing quite a bit of gold, necklaces and rings. He had three gold rings in one ear; the other ear seemed to be missing the tip, which gave me a little twang inside, as if you see a dog with a nip taken out of its ear. He cocked his head to one side as he looked at us.
There was another Anubian in the corner of the room, a female. The females have what could well be hair on their heads that they’ve all braided into tight little plats, ended with gold beads. There’s a hell of a lot of gold on this station. Her skirt thing was longer than the male Anubians I’ve seen and she had a form of cloth bra covering her breasts. They seem to be bra and sarong or dresses I’ve spotted, it’s an either or for the females. The males seem to go bare-chested. But then, it is warm enough for them to do that. They’ve got a good temperature on the station which again took me a while to notice, it’s constant, no colder or warmer areas.
“Greetings Lord Doctor,” Rameso said, snapping my attention back to him. “And your consorts, lord, lady.” He bowed as he addressed both me and Tom. His bow was even grander for the Doctor though.
“Governor Rameso,” the Doctor said holding his hand out to shake it.
I didn’t think Rameso was quite sure at first but then he reached out and grasped the Doctor’s forearm and the Doctor did the same. It reminded me of the ancient Roman handshakes to be honest, more than Egyptian. Maybe the Anubians influenced Rome as well, I don’t know. I’d have to ask the Doctor if we can head off there sometime.
“It’s a pleasure to be so welcomed into your grand city station,” the Doctor continued. “Allow me to introduce my friends Jess and Tom.”
Rameso bowed to us again as the Doctor introduced us.
“What brings you to Intheop?” Rameso asked.
“We were just passing, Governor,” the Doctor replied. I knew that wasn’t true and raised an eyebrow at him. Even though he wasn’t looking I’m sure he knew because he changed track. “Well, I did aim for here; I’ve meant to visit your Prefecture for centuries.”
“You are most welcomed, all of you,” Rameso said. “How long do you intend to stay?”
“You don’t mind us dropping in on you like this, what with your conference whatsit coming up?” Tom asked.
“Why would your presence here trouble us?” Rameso asked. He seemed genuinely confused at that. “We welcome visitors, especially such gracious guests as you.”
I almost felt myself blushing at that. For once it seemed that we had arrived somewhere where the people seemed to not want to kill us. They were being hugely receptive and very accommodating.
“You’re too kind,” I said rather feebly. I think only Tom heard me judging from the slight smile I saw spread on his lips.
Rameso gestured for the female Anubian in the corner to step forward. “Cleorisa, will you arrange for one of our most luxurious accommodations to be made ready for the Lord Doctor and his entourage?”
They really did seem to be bending over backwards for us.
“Please, be seated,” Rameso said gesturing to the seating about the room.
They were large square padded seats, not too far from the ground. I wasn’t sure of the proper etiquette of sitting on them until I saw the Doctor sit down on one the opposite side of the desk to Rameso cross legged that I decided I’d do the same. I shot a glance over at Tom who’d followed suit. The seats we had were a little way back and towards the edge of the room. It seemed that the Doctor may be the more important of us to the Anubians; they certainly seemed to act that way.
Ok, hands up, I admit it; I kinda shut off here as the Doctor started to talk about the peace conference with Rameso. I think he’d managed to wangle himself an invite. It really wouldn’t surprise me. He’s said before that he’s not interested in local politics, so quite why he wanted to sit in on this I don’t know. He does this, seems to act all innocent about things before revealing that he knew what was going to happen and wanted to make sure things ran their course. It’s that or alien invasions it seems.
I guess I must have been right as Tom leant over to me and whispered; “I thought he didn’t ‘do’ politics?”
I shrugged as I looked at him. I don’t think either of us knew what was going through the Doctor’s mind. I think that’s the case most of the time, although there are getting to be times when I can read him like a book, especially when we get involved in some big adventure or something. And there are times I know Tom can too, I can tell from the looks they give each other, sometimes it’s like they have little telepathic chats that I can’t hear.
Anyway, this chat that the Doctor and Rameso were having was a little beyond me. Although there were some things I did get from it; the Drachnith live in a huge space ship, which the Doctor told us about before, but they’ve started to spread their influence and attack the Anubian colonies and city stations. They’ve even destroyed some of them and invaded some of their territory, storming the Anubian city stations, killing everyone inside and taking them for themselves.
Yeah, they really don’t sound a nice bunch. I don’t quite know why a peace treaty is being signed; I think it would be pretty hard to come up with something like that. It’d be like the Nazi’s trying to sign a peace treaty with Poland or France after they’d just invaded them in the war or something.
But yeah, like I said, I did kinda zone out a bit when the Doctor and Rameso were talking. While they were chatting, another Anubian came in and offered Tom and I something to drink. I think it was alcoholic, and tasted almost honey-like with some fruity hints. Whatever it was, it was rather nice, and I think rather strong. There was a huge jug of the stuff as well. Tom had about two or three more than I did, but then he seems to be really good at taking his drink. I have to admit, my tolerance has dropped a bit when I started travelling with the Doctor; no more student nights out, but I don’t really care if I’m honest. I just stuck with the two honey drinks. Still, it did help really relax me.
By this time, the Doctor had managed to wangle himself an invite to the peace talks. It really didn’t surprise me. Tom and I were offered an Invite too, although whether we actually go or not is another matter. I wasn't too sure I fancied the idea of long dull peace talks when there’s this really awesome space city to explore. Tom, well, knowing him, he’d go, fall asleep and then get thrown out for snoring!
But on the other hand, knowing the Doctor’s habit for getting himself involved in trouble, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where all the action happens, delegates throwing chairs and stuff at each other. I’ll certainly have to have a think about it! I might go along, see if there’s anything interesting for you guys out there to read about. Yes, I know, breaking the fourth wall, naughty me. But I’m sure you’ll let me off!
I didn’t realise how much I’d zoned out until I realised that the Doctor was stood up and giving me that look that I’ve got from him a few times when my attention has wandered. I think this time I had a legitimate excuse, the mead or whatever it was had really gone to my head. Bloody strong stuff. I stood up, but a little too quickly, thank Gods that Tom was nearby to grab me as I nearly fell over. Yeah, embarrassing stuff here, but there we go.
Rameso lead us from his office, or palace or whatever it was and back to the council level. It was then it hit me what this place was quite like. You guys ever seen the album cover for Iron Maiden’s Powerslave? Well, it’s like that. If you’ve not seen it, look it up, might give you a little bit of an idea; temples, statues, pyramids, the whole lot. Only the statues are of Anubians rather than Eddie. That, and kinda a bit Stargate as well. That’s what had been bugging me a bit; there were hints of Stargate all over the place, with the architecture and likes.
We followed Rameso down the steps from his office palace to the super lift things. He had a rather ornate looking gold staff. There’s really a lot of gold in this place. I’m sure they’re safe from Cybermen here! (Another long story)
“Where are we going?” I asked, looking up at Rameso. I swear I’m going to get a crick in my neck with all these Anubians about.
“To your accommodation, of course,” Rameso replied with a grand sweep. He clearly likes to show he’s in charge. Either that or he never made it into the RSC and is over compensating now. “You are to be granted our most luxurious of accommodations for honoured guests.”
“Nice place then?” Tom asked in his usual dry manner.
“My lord, there are few grander apartments in the whole of Intheop,” Rameso replied. I don’t think he quite gets Tom. You can’t always if you’re unfamiliar with him; his humour is lost on people.
I smiled to myself as I took my place on the clear lift disk, trying not to think about the fact that if I looked down I’d be able to see for hundreds of feet. I got a bloody good distraction when there was a clanking noise above and I looked up and saw a huge black oval with gold stripes shape come into the large Government Chamber. By Government Chamber, I mean this whole level of the city station, which has a huge domed ceiling, which almost could be real sky. It reminds me a little of the TARDIS like that.
I watched in stunned silence as the black shape moved towards us getting larger all the time.