ten_fwd | Intro-ish Post (With Options)

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Intro-ish Post (With Options)

This Doctor had been getting settled in on board the Enterprise - well as much as he can. He still baulks at the jabs he had to be given, but since they didn't contain anything that was harmful to him, he allowed for them.

Now, he has an agenda. He knows the TARDIS is somewhere on board and now that he has a map and listings, he's going to go there to find it.

The Doctor is making his way down to the cargo hold, but going about it the long way around. May as well investigate the ship on his way. If he can get to the TARDIS, he won't be staying long anyway, so he might as well explore something new as he goes along.

It's all terribly human. Basic, really. And they think it's the best thing. About the only thing he's really interested in is this Q character. He doesn't mind humans most of the time. He just doesn't like being 'stuck' with them. And there's so much humanity here - with nothing to escape it.

B: TARDIS Cargo hold Plot: Open To All
After his adventure with Trever and his cat, the Doctor finally arrives at the cargo hold that is marked as containing the TARDIS. He sonics his way in (whether or not that was necessary) and looks around. Some of the items look familiar and others seem alien - even to him - which is saying something. It isn't long before he sees the TARDIS, standing there in all her glory. He confidently strides towards her. When he gets there, he gives a loving stroke to her. "Hello, Old Girl. Now, let's see about getting out of here."

The Doctor needed to vent his anger and frustration at not being able to get back to his own universe. So he made his way to the training room. He had told Clara he had cheated against Robin Hood with his archery skills. But that doesn't mean he's positively rubbish at it. He just wasn't sure of his aim at a ship with rotating bits. If he were to be perfectly honest, which he rarely is, he just needs a bit of practice. He was disappointed that he couldn't get into the Armoury, so he would have to make-do with one of the holodecks. Pity. It's never quite as good as the real thing. Now, if only someone else with archery skills were around. Nothing like a little bit of friendly competition when it comes to brushing up on skills.

{{OOC: I'm happy to backtag however long people are interested in playing with these plots.}}

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He will find out soon enough. KITT will make sure of it.

The lighting is a factor, but KITT has also made sure to darken his windows so that they appear almost black and opaque. Until he knows who and what he's dealing with, he sensors will remain on high alert.

"You don't look like her Pilot." Not that he'd recognize any of the others, but the intruder doesn't know that, does he? KITT wants to see how he will answer. He's also prepared to take action if he doesn't like that answer.

"This is the first time we've met, so you wouldn't know how I look. Besides, I know there are several versions of me here. We all have different faces, but we're the same person."

Over simplification. But it should provide enough information. The Doctor reaches into his pocket and pulls out his sonic.

"And since you've had the chance to scan me. It's only fair that I return the favour."

He waits to aim and activate the sonic, though. Because car verses Time Lord, car still wins.

"Several versions, you say? In that case, perhaps we have met before - but, as you say, not wearing this particular face. And that means that I still don't know you." Even so, KITT was still more inclined to relax his stance a bit, until the Doctor pulled out the sonic.

His engine turned over with a quiet growl, subtle and menacing, as he advanced a foot closer to the Doctor.

"Only a scan. Nothing more." He sat there, idling, at the ready should he detect any funny business.

"It's a screwdriver, not much good for anything else."

On second thought, he probably shouldn't have said screwdriver. Oh well, too late now. He runs the scan quickly and his jaw dropped for a moment. He puts the sonic away fairly quickly.

"Artificial Intelligence. Impressive, given Earth's history with technology."

Or perhaps lack of technology would be a better way to say it.

"So you are your own driver. Interesting. And you've clearly taken a shine to the TARDIS."

"If you're organic, maybe." Personally, he could think of quite a bit of mischief one could get into with a screwdriver and a car.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Doctor, please. The hole is getting deeper.

"I possess that capability, yes. I function optimally with a driver, but our abductor didn't see fit to include him in these shenanigans. As for the TARDIS, I find her to be... fascinating."

Rule One: The Doctor lies. He also leaves quite a bit out. So, the screwdriver can get him out of many sticky spots, but into just a bit more.

"I mean that Earthlings aren't known for their technical capabilities. So the fact that they accomplished AI, is impressive."

Pretty simple, really. The Doctor smiles fondly at the mention of what the car thinks of his constant companion.

"She's alive and sentient. Which is why I wanted to check on her."

KITT really disliked it when people lied to him, even if it was to spare his feelings. This? Was not that sort of situation. As for the moment however he has no choice but to run with the assumption that this is, indeed, the Doctor, and that with some face or another they are, indeed, friends, he's letting it slide. For now. Unless this Doctor really upsets him in some way.

"I happen to admire Earthlings, as you call them. Quite a bit. My creators and technicians are highly qualified and extremely intelligent." His driver had different traits, a different sort of intelligence. But now KITT does sound rather annoyed.

"I am aware of that. Why would I enjoy her company if she weren't? I can assure you, she's perfectly fine here. Perhaps a bit anxious at her confinement." It wasn't as though they actually spoke with one another, but Kitt could read something of her moods in the aura surrounding the craft.

Talking about the TARDIS gets the Doctor to look at her again. He pulls out his key and slides it into the lock. It turns and he tries to open the door, but it doesn't move. He can tell that she's not preventing his entrance that something else is stopping it from opening.

In despair he rests his arm on the corner of the TARDIS and rests his head on it.

"He couldn't give us that small luxury. Even when the Time Lords were punishing us, they afforded us each other. Prevented her from travelling... But I could at least enter her."

He takes a few moments to collect himself. And turns to face KITT.

"I'm the Doctor. What should I call you?"

KITT is watching him now, his reactions, the way the TARDIS is reacting to his presence. She may not know this face he wears, but unlike KITT, she knows him. That acceptance is enough for him, and his attitude towards the man softens, just a little.

There was love there. Genuine and sincere. KITT can read it in his stance, hear it in his words. Maybe they weren't in love, not as KITT understood it, but there was a strong bond ~~that only sounded a little bit sexual~~.

His voice is hushed now, unsure of what he's just witnessed.

"KITT. I am known as KITT. It's nice to meet you again, Doctor."

"I should be more careful. I can't offer her much comfort from here. And she can sense my distress."

The Doctor pushes himself away from the TARDIS and heads toward the car. The Doctor would chuckle if he knew how sexual he sounds. Because he doubts the TARDIS thinks of anything in a sexual manner.

"But, I'm glad to know she has someone here to watch over her. And you? You said you're here without others. So who watches over you?"

"Yes, she can." What he wouldn't give to be able to hear it from her for himself, but after a year here he'd at least been able to learn this much of her.

For his own part, KITT only thinks about sex when he's trying to prevent his driver from making yet another mistake, but he's learned enough about innuendo to know one when he hears it, even if it's unintentional.

He is, however, taken aback at the Doctor's question. Who indeed?

"I look after myself. And there are others here whom I consider friends. I rely on them as well now, when the need arises. I expect the same of them. And what of you, Doctor? Unless I'm mistaken, your own TARDIS is not numbered among those here."

The Doctor glances back at the TARDIS(es?) around the room. He shrugs. "She's not like me. I change faces and bodies. But she... She's always the same. Even when her desktop changes. She's younger is all. But still the same."

Which is why his key worked, even if he was prevented access. Still, he thought he knew the real question KITT was asking.

"I don't know where or when she is in my own time. But, it's for the best. Two versions of the same TARDIS occupying the same time and space creates a dangerous paradox. Which means 'Q' is very powerful, to be able to hold it in place."

Why is it easier talking to an Artificial Intelligence than it is trying to talk to 'real people'?

"I see. I must admit, it is rather difficult to tell them apart, even for me." The aura that surrounded the TARDIS was about them all, at the same time. It was only when looking that he could detect the differences.

"Do you think she is looking for you? Or can these TARDISes communicate your location to her?" He pauses then, unsure of his own question there. "Q is omnipotent, though I don't believe he is omniscient. If that were the case, what would be the point of any of this?"

KITT couldn't answer that question, but it seemed to be the case for many humans as well.

The Doctor shakes his head. "Wrong universe. If she's still in our universe, I doubt these versions of her can communicate.... OH!"

He rushes back to a random one and gives her an extra few strokes. "I am so sorry. We'll work this out, though. Don't you worry."

He turns and rushes back to KITT. "Theorise with me. If Q is omnipotent, would he drag another creature here to slowly starve it to death?"

Edited (starve not start LOL) 2015-08-31 01:17 (UTC)

"No, I suppose that makes sense..."

He watches the Doctor curiously, realizing what he's said has just upset the TARDISes. Best be more careful. He's beginning to see some similarities now between this Doctor and the one he knows.

"I don't believe he would. He is cruel and capricious, childlike and easily bored. But I don't believe that he is deliberately malicious without cause."

The Doctor is pacing as he tries to work out what's going on. "But wrong universe. The wrong energy. It's like pouring diesel into a petrol engine. So how is 'Q' keeping her - them - alive?"

He is fairly certain KITT will appreciate the fuel analogy. But that makes him pause. He stares KITT down. "You indicate you know what she's feeling. How? I don't know for sure, I'm only able to guess because we've been together for so many years. But you know! How?"

"Q is omnipotent, as I've said..." He has no answers, as he hadn't known the energy was wrong. But it's the Doctor's next move that has him accelerating suddenly backward and away, leaving a black streak on the shining floor.

"I don't know. How is it that you can't tell? Is it because of the energy difference? Or maybe it's because I've spent a year in here with her? I've modified my scanners with the help of this century's technology. And I've interacted with, well, you! Maybe - maybe she's allowing it! Maybe she needs someone to talk to!"

Now don't do anything crazy, Doctor. He's on alert again.

The Doctor sometimes forgets just how powerful his stare can be. Might have something to do with the fact that it doesn't work on Clara these days. When he sees KITT move suddenly and the black streak he backs up a step himself holds his arms up and then slowly kneels. Not so much an act of vulnerability as it is to show that he respects that KITT could easily kill him.

"I haven't been in this place long. I'm worried about the TARDIS. Everything is suspect."

That's about as close to 'I'm sorry' as the Doctor gets these days. He's obviously more worried about her than he is for himself.

"If you are as connected as you say, I would greatly appreciate your help. Is she doing all right... with the energy in this Universe. Is it harming her?"

Powerful? Try somewhat psychotic, Doctor. It's rather disturbing, that stare. KITT isn't certain that the Doctor could - or even would - harm him, but no sense in risking anything, right? And even though KITT's given himself a nice justifiable loophole for his programming - that of not harming humans - there's nothing in it about aliens. Even so, he can't in all good conscience harm another sentient being, especially one that, with another face, he considers to be a friend.

"I understand. I would feel the same, in your position." He has felt the same, in fact.

"As I've said, now that I think on it, perhaps it's more her doing than mine. Be that as it may..." He pauses, and the scanner in his prow does a slow sweep across the nearest TARDIS, not missing anything.

"No. It isn't very palatable, I believe in colloquial terms it 'doesn't taste good'. But it's not causing her any undue duress."

He's still keeping his distance, as this Doctor is a bit of a loose cannon, but he relaxes his guard once more.

When the Doctor hears the words he snorts at first, because 'doesn't taste good' makes him think of when she had Idris' body. When they could talk... KITT then gives him the news he was hoping for.

The Doctor is still kneeling and he pulls one hand over his face, and wraps the other around his middle, because the surge of relief is too much. He releases broken sob. The TARDIS was as safe as she could be. That was enough for him. But it takes him a minute to regain his composure. He takes a final shuddering breath before he slowly stands.

"Thank you."

He makes no effort to move either closer to KITT or to leave. He's just stood there.

KITT makes the effort for him, drawing near to lend the Doctor some support, maybe a solid object to lean against.

"You're welcome." He gives the Doctor a moment before asking his next question.

"What happens now?"

The Doctor is appreciative. When he rests a hand on the car to steady himself, he makes sure to do so in such a way as not to leave any form of impression.

He takes a moment to compose himself before answering KITT's question. He looks back to the TARDISes and shrugs.

"I don't know." He swallows thickly. He hates not knowing. "But, I should probably go. She doesn't need me around her when I'm like this.... And she's..."

'Unattainable' goes unsaid.

Even a handprint wouldn't last long on KITT's finish, so the Doctor needn't worry. Unless he's coated in mud or other filth, KITT is pretty resistant to a bit of smudge. Though he does have to wonder what scientists back in his homeworld would make of the DNA they might find there!

This has gone on long enough. Or maybe it's that KITT has been around Michael for too many years.

"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Admit it, Doctor. It's so patently obvious.

He looks aghast. "You've been spending too much time around humans."

Because it's not as simple as that. It transcends everything: time, space, physical bodies, even mental capabilities. A fond smile crosses his features.

"I wouldn't call it love. And I don't think she would either. But, 'Alive'... 'A big complicated word, but so sad.'"

Oh, he had heard her whisper 'I love you' to him as she lost the ability to talk to him properly, but the way she defined 'Alive' was so much closer to the truth of it.

"I was designed, created, and built by and for them. It's rather difficult for me not to be influenced by them." His voice was dry, holding a hint of amusement.

Even KITT, with his intellect and mental capacity, can't begin to fathom the meanings in the Doctor's words. He's never thought about it in quite that way before. For him, the word 'alive' seems simple, defined. Here, the way the Doctor speaks it, speaks of it, it suddenly seems to expand to include the entire universe, perhaps even beyond, something much bigger than comprehension itself.

"I'm afraid I don't understand. I'm sorry."

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I was going to wait and reply tomorrow, but I couldn't leave the emo hanging.

[pets the poor woobie Doctor! ;) ]

[he's really the biggest sap. don't tell anyone.]

[Hey EVERYBOOOOODDDDDYYYYY!]

[Cute :P]

:D