The Time Ring was easy to adjust in mid transit and the Master appeared inside his TARDIS. The controls were still set for the rendezvous. The plan was still basically intact; all he had to do was break the temporal orbit, wait a few weeks and take collection of the package. Delivery was assured once he was safely on Gallifrey.


The Doctor tapped Mel on the nose. "It's not over yet."
"You think the Master has something up his sleeve?"
"Absolutely. The only place we will find answers is on Gallifrey. Plus I have a few debts to settle. I wonder if that job offer is still open?"
"What job's that then?"
"The Presidency. Technically I can claim it but after last time they might not be so forward."


Castellan Andred sat glumly in his office. Leela was off on one of her hunts again. Personally he thought it was barbaric, stalking small defenceless animals but seeing the smile on her face made it all worthwhile. "Oh for some excitement. I wonder what you're up to these days Doctor? Bet it's not as boring as this."
As if on cue early warning signals began to sound and a blue box began to materialise in front of his desk.
"Welcome back, Doctor." Andred jumped to his feet.
The Doctor and Mel bundled out, all smiles and friendly gestures. "Ah Andred, married life getting you down yet?"
"No Doctor."
"You wait a few more years. I remember when -"
"Doctor we don't have time for the reminisces, tell them you want your job back."
"You want the Presidency?" Andred gasped.
"Is it still available?"
"Yes, but the High Council has made it clear you cannot stand for the position. Although that was before your regeneration, Such a ban is usually applicable only for the incarnation you have when the ban was placed. You may be able to seize the rod, sash and key after all."
"Seize?"
"Oh, sorry miss. It's an old saying dating back to the time when Rassilon was finally laid to rest. It was said that the first person to seize all three shall command all of Gallifrey."
"Makes sense I suppose, earning power rather than having it given to you."
"I can see why you have such a high regard for these humans after all, Doctor." Andred gushed.
"Yes, Mel is a particularly prominent example of her species."


The Master found an encampment of particularly evil villains. They welcomed him easily into their number and listened to his words. "I can take all of us away from this accursed place. I have created a ship that is totally blind to any sensor of Gallifrey. We can slip in and you can have revenge against those who imprisoned you."
The criminals murmured in agreement. The Daleks and Movellans put their differences aside. The Sontarans sat down with the Rutan and the Borad chuckled insanely.


The High Council's chamber was packed with every councillor of greater and lesser rank. Chancellor Thalia struck the floor with her Perigoso stick. "My Lords, if I can have your attention please? We have in our midst someone who claims the seat of power. I give you former Lord President of Gallifrey, The Doctor."
The Doctor entered via a side door. He tripped over near a group of disdainful looking Time Lords and then sat down on the throne somehow wearing the sash and holding the rod and the key. The arrogant Time Lords looked bewildered. "As you can see I hold the rod and the key. I wear the sash and I claim the crown that will link me to the Matrix."
Mel watched on. She was dressed in the honoury robes of a Prydonian Time Lady. As President the Doctor could extend such honours at his inauguration. Mel looked at her new friend Leela dressed in a cut down version of a guards uniform. Apparently she was head of the chancellory guard and she did indeed have the stony look of a W.P.C.


The ship slipped through the transduction barriers as if they weren't there. The Master set a course to land right inside the Panopticon gardens. It would be a grand entrance. Once this rabble were released then he could seize control of Gallifrey and then the universe itself would be his. He would rule fairly but anyone who crossed him or questioned him would have to be dealt with for the public good.


The Doctor was officially President and the crown of Rassilon rested on his head once more. The Matrix entered his mind and accepted him as it had done so before.



A thousand weapon-wielding maniacs tore out of the ship and straight into a barrage of staser-fire. The guards fired at point-blank range and the bodies piled up. They kept coming however and soon the power-packs were drained.
Leela handed out hand weapons to the reserve forces and they took over the assault.
The fighting was bloody and fierce but finally they were subdued and the criminals surrendered.
The Master exited his ship trying to look dignified and noble but he gasped when he saw the Doctor dressed in the regalia of the President. "You! How could you know I had a back-up plan?"
"Oh Master, haven't you heard of checking the history files of a planet? We knew life would develop there eventually. All I had to do was travel here once Mel hacked the information out of the Matrix and warn Andred. The rest took care of itself."
"You're trapped here now though Doctor. They won't let you run away from your responsibilities as Lord President. Either way I have won." The Master quickly pressed a button on his Time Ring and he vanished.
"Andred, send a trace-and-recover capsule after him. Thalia it would look better in the history books if a little rewriting was done. Look at old Borusa's work in that field, now he was an expert at ret-cons."
"We have a better idea Doctor. Why don't you go and find him? You're much better at that sort of thing than we are."
"What about my position as Lord President?"
"Doctor, while your heart is elsewhere you cannot help your people. Only when you are ready to come home will you truly be able to guide us as I know you will be able to."
"In other words get lost and don't come back?"
"Something like that Doctor, something like that." Thalia smiled.


Mel and the Doctor found themselves more or less hurried into the TARDIS. They shook hands with Leela and Andred.
"I quite liked those two, they make a lovely couple. Just don't get any ideas of marrying me off, okay?"
"I promise Mel. Besides we have lots of adventures to have yet Mel, you can change out of those robes now if you like. I think it will be too warm for Greece. I've always meant to look in and see how old Agamemnon did.