Spoilers For Big Finish's Project: Lazarus

[clonenumber6]

So, you've finally decided to send me somewhere, have you? With both my arms? Delightful.

What I want to know is why on Earth you think this is a good idea? You've hardly the experience for this sort of endeavour, and if you want to go into how many other obligations you have at the moment ... well.

As for having some sort of animal following me around - oh yes, sorry, my soul in animal form. Very believable, I don't think.

I'm all for getting out of the Forge with my limbs intact, but this is hardly the optimal solution, is it? No. No, I've made up my mind. You can do as you please. I will be sitting right here and waiting for a better alternative to come along. There are a lot of humans here, after all. I'm sure one of them can be reasonable.

Comments

[youwillobey]

Humans? Reasonable? Your optimism never ceases to amaze me, my dear Doctor.

Or perhaps not "Doctor"... No. No, not to the trained eye.

That gaudy blue coat is hardly disguise enough to fool a Master. Tell me, what are you?

[clonenumber6]

Trained eye? Oh yes. You're that one, aren't you, the one who kept stalking him back in the 70s. The Master.
[Oh so much amusement here.]

Tell me, was it really worth all that wasted effort? Earth is such a dull planet for a Time Lord, I would think.

[youwillobey]

Dull? Yes, I suppose one could call it "dull." I, instead, choose to focus on the potential of the planet. A steady hand could easily shape it into something of value.

I do not expect you to have recognized that potential. Just as I doubt you could follow my methods, subtle as they are. Although, you have apparently done your research, haven't you, Stranger? Oh, I've no doubt you do not understand, not truly, but the effort is admirable.

You will need more than effort, however, if you wish to impersonate him successfully.
[he raises his eyebrows, as much a challenge as an offer]

[clonenumber6]

I, instead, choose to focus on the potential of the planet. A steady hand could easily shape it into something of value. [What's that? Oh, did you order some pitch-perfect mimicry there Master? Down to the very last inflection? It's like listening to a recording.

Of course, this Doctor wannabe has noooo idea who he's dealing with. Which is probably why he continues under his breath.] Someone of value, more like.

[COUGH COUGH] I do appreciate the concern, but I assure you it's hardly any effort. In fact, it comes quite naturally. [la la la, not smirking there at alllll]

[Big smiles now, because OH WAIT YOU MIGHT HAVE A TARDIS HE COULD USE.] I can see it might be difficult for you though, this not being your Doctor. You didn't even recognise the coat. He would be offended. Thankfully I'm not. Perhaps you might like access to some of my - ah - research. A helping hand?

[youwillobey]

Oh? And what research might that be? You presume you have access to that which I do not? I assure you, impostor, that that is not the case. My studies are quite thorough, with range far beyond your obvious limitations. [the rapidity with which he lets the clipped, agitated remarks fly gives away his annoyance]

You are not without potential, however. [Yes, he can calm himself, giving the Not-Doctor a long once over, sizing him up.] A skilled voice is an acceptable beginning. Of course, you can do better.

[clonenumber6]

Yes, well, I think you'll find that in this case I'm at something of an advantage to you. I'm hardly subject to the Laws of ... [mumble] .... Temporal ....[mumble mumble].... crossing your own timeline ... [mumble mumble cough cough]...

[Oh he's definitely not bluffing his way through this. Not at all. Also ignoring those last comments. Gotta keep it together to spite his mun get access to the Master's TARDIS.]

[youwillobey]

[The Master lets him continue, feigning fascination with the Impostor's awkward mumbling before offering rescue.]

Oh? Fascinating. Then you truly aren't him, are you? Not even by abnormal regeneration or temporal schism? Ah. [He suppresses his interest as much as possible, settling into a tone so confrontational calm that it can only be meant as a challenge] Of course, I would love to hear the details in depth. Unfortunately, my dedication to the advancement of science must yield to prior engagements. [it's only partially a fabrication, he does have responsibilities after all, but he let the other man know precisely who is in control of their conversation.] If you would be so kind as to be succinct?

[clonenumber6]

You know, you're really quite rude. Going on about who is or is not whoever else. You weren't even sure until right now, and even then you can't know, can you?

[All the blustering and indignant finger wagging.] I'm from your future! And it would do well for you not to condescend to me.

As for details. Well. [This would be the Doctor tugging his jacket and turning his back on you Master.] I can be as succinct as you like. For a price.

[youwillobey]

Oh? [he's can't quite feign disinterest here, this is something he'd never anticipated, not even from the stranger] And what price would you ask of me?

[clonenumber6]

Look around you! We're in the middle of some sort of multidimensional nexus, all these worlds I've no doubt you would like to conquer, and instead we're stuck here, at the whim of these creatures.

Well, I want what any intelligent person would want in these circumstances. I want a way out.

[Paaaauuuuuuuuse.]

I want your TARDIS.

[youwillobey]

[The Master laughs, for all his rigidity and desire for structure willing, as always, to indulge] Ambitious! And directly to the point. But distinctly lacking in any real motivation for me beyond charity. And I may yet be moved by charity, as you well know I have always been most gracious to the Doctor himself. Other than the goodness of my hearts, I see no reason for me to take you with me.

[clonenumber6]

[Master do you even have a TARDIS that works here? He is starting to wonder but it is worth the effort.]

Aside from my charming company? And of course, my knowledge of exactly how the Doctor is going to defeat you.

Perhaps I can appeal to your curiosity. You may have noticed [chest pat] the double heart beat. Now don't you want to know exactly what I am? And, of course, what on earth I have to do with your precious Doctor?

[youwillobey]

[The Master's eyes narrow, he doesn't like quiet how like the Doctor this man can be, far too clever for any sort of simple, quickly manufactured copy.] Continue, then. It would be convenient to know what you are, and perhaps what to call you. If we are going to talk in detail about these matters.

[clonenumber6]

Well, I don't think I should sell myself so cheaply. You've yet to even try to give me your word yet, have you?

But to begin with, you may call me the Doctor.

[He's trolling, but someone did make an earlier bid for control of this conversation, so this could be taken as his answer.]

[youwillobey]

I might. But that would be confusing to say the least. [he raises an eyebrow, not waiting for agreement] surely whatever your... source it was necessary to differentiate between the genuine article and yourself?

[clonenumber6]

I am the genuine article. [Well, he snapped that without thinking. Still, there is absolutely no way he is giving this horrible smug man any more control over him, and he will be no one's Lazarus anymore. And other than that, he doesn't have a name. What's he supposed to tell him? I'm nobody? That's not happening again.]

Surely someone of your mental acumen can make such a small concession? [Fake smile is so so fake.] It's not as though there's any one else here to confuse me with. Think of it ... [He searches for the right words.] Think of it as though some terrible temporal disaster has occured. What would you do if more than one Doctor was present, hmm? Would you just start handing out numbers?

[youwillobey]

[The Master smirks] Hardly, there are subtleties of language perceptible only by the Gallifreyan ear. All of those, however, assume a regenerational relationship... [he actually has been pondering this, and it shows] I'm not entirely sure how the inflection could incorporate a-- clone? is it? Grown from the cellular level? Or woven with some sort of primitive looming process?

[clonenumber6]

[Curses, foiled again! Not really a surprise though, it didn't take that long for the horrible small question-mark one to figure him out, and he'd actually been trying to hide then. Oh well. Stick to your guns Lazarus.]


You want me to give valuable information away when you won't even call me by my proper name? I'd rather you just teach me the Gallifreyan, and your precious Doctor can keep the English version.