Part 36 (1/2)

The Chronicler nodded slowly. So, when circ.u.mstances were varied, even by the tiniest of changes, the Doctor was still able to adapt and react. A by the tiniest of changes, the Doctor was still able to adapt and react. A point was made, and the Chronicler returned the holosphere's environment point was made, and the Chronicler returned the holosphere's environment to its original settings. Then he smiled, laid down his pen, and closed the to its original settings. Then he smiled, laid down his pen, and closed the book. book.

The Sands of Time - Alternative Ending Addendum The Chronicler peered into the glowing embers of reality. Deep within the holosphere, a single quantum choice played itself out for him. He was at holosphere, a single quantum choice played itself out for him. He was at one with the world he watched, oblivious to the great hallway in which he one with the world he watched, oblivious to the great hallway in which he worked, not seeing the shadows and patterns cast by the sunlight s.h.i.+ning worked, not seeing the shadows and patterns cast by the sunlight s.h.i.+ning through the stained gla.s.s. through the stained gla.s.s.

The holosphere cast its own lights for him to follow, tiny bit patterns blitted into a replay of reality. He stared into the depths of time, aware of nothing into a replay of reality. He stared into the depths of time, aware of nothing in his world apart from the sc.r.a.ping of his quill across the parchment as he in his world apart from the sc.r.a.ping of his quill across the parchment as he noted the salient points and drew deductions. noted the salient points and drew deductions.

As the events reached their closure, he leaned back. The Doctor's solution was elegant. He had learned from his previous encounter with an Osiran. was elegant. He had learned from his previous encounter with an Osiran.

But while there was a certain symmetry and poetic justice in the events, there was also a niggling feeling that the Doctor had somehow cheated. there was also a niggling feeling that the Doctor had somehow cheated.

The Chronicler dipped his quill in the dark ink, and scratched a note in his book. Then he adjusted a pattern within the sphere and replayed the book. Then he adjusted a pattern within the sphere and replayed the sequence. sequence.

Somewhere within the universal scheme, a tiny quantum choice was played out. A slight variation introduced into the mathematical and physical played out. A slight variation introduced into the mathematical and physical structure of Time, and another universe split from the first. Or rather the structure of Time, and another universe split from the first. Or rather the last. Or rather the latest. The patterns spun and resolved themselves into a last. Or rather the latest. The patterns spun and resolved themselves into a new mosaic. new mosaic.

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'I think we're a little late,' the Doctor said. His voice was quiet, but everyone turned to him. Even Vanessa swung her head slightly. 'I'm afraid your calculations were slightly off. As you can see, Nyssa has actually been awake for quite some time. Or at least, in a sort of waking sleep. Just enough to continue the ageing process while she dozed.'

'No,' breathed Vanessa, her voice an exhalation of disbelief.

'You know it's true,' the Doctor told her. 'You just scanned her mind, looking for the reasoning, calculating, intelligent part of your own self.'

'It is not there.' Vanessa's voice was low, despondent.

'So, even at the instinctive level on which you're operating you can tell that the rest of the mind of Nephthys no longer exists. It was freed when Nyssa awoke, and you weren't here. Now it's lost forever.'

'How long ago did she wake?' Atkins asked.

'She woke up in 1926.'

'Seventy years,' Atkins murmured.

The Doctor nodded. 'I like good round numbers,' he said.

'Doctor.' Tegan's voice was accusing, shaking with emotion. Her face was set and she was glaring at him.

'I'm sorry, Tegan. If there had been any other way.'

'How could you?' She was in tears now. 'How could you do this to Nyssa, after - after everything?'

The Doctor smiled sadly. 'Ra.s.sul knows. He asked if I could sacrifice a friend to save the universe, if I could make that choice.'

Tegan turned away. 'He didn't believe you could,' she said through her sobs. 'But I should have known better.'

Ra.s.sul too was shaking with anger. 'Doctor, I shall kill you for this.'

The Doctor returned his stare. 'I don't care,' he said levelly. 'The universe is safe now. All you have is a woman who hardly knows who she is and can't make a decision beyond the next instinctive moment. She can respond to circ.u.mstances, make impa.s.sioned speeches from the heart of the evil G.o.ddess she once was, but longer term than that she can never make up her mind.' He grinned suddenly. 'I hope you'll excuse the choice of phrase.'

'She will be whole,' Ra.s.sul insisted. 'We shall find a way.'

Vanessa stood watching them, listening to the exchange but taking no part.

Her face was impa.s.sive.

The Doctor shook his head. 'Nephthys' reasoning intelligence is gone forever, evaporated into the ether when Nyssa woke up and you weren't there. There is no way you can recapture it.' He smiled thinly. 'None.'

Ra.s.sul's lip twitched, his face contorted in rage. 'There is,' he hissed.

'There has to be.' Behind him, Vanessa stood silent and still. A motionless mummy stood ma.s.sively by her side. The other two mummies still held the bandaged form of Nyssa, her ancient wizened face turned slightly so she could see the Doctor. He looked across at her for a moment, then returned his attention to Ra.s.sul.

'Well, apart from the odd conjuring trick,' the Doctor said quietly, 'like bringing the near-dead back to life, I don't see there's much mileage left in the power of Nephthys.'

Ra.s.sul frowned. He looked as if he might be about to say something in return, but then he turned away, stared at Vanessa.

'Doctor,' Tegan said again, 'what about Nyssa?' Her eyes were dark.

The Doctor's brow creased slightly. 'Not now, Tegan. Not now.'

'Not now?'

But before her anger could increase further, or the Doctor could reply, Atkins cleared his throat. 'Er, what will they do now, Doctor?'

'I'm not sure. There are a couple of possibilities.'

Ra.s.sul turned back to face them, and his voice rang across the tomb.

'Indeed there are, Doctor.'

'Ah. I take it from your tone of voice that you are not tending towards the let-us-all-go option.'

Ra.s.sul laughed. 'When you yourself suggested we could raise the dead?'

He snorted his derision. 'Come now Doctor.'

The Doctor's eyes opened wide. 'Oh no. Not that. Even you can't be that desperate, Ra.s.sul.'