Master's POV

I like plans; properly detailed ones.

But...

This plan started life as surviving after killing Rassilon. Not really a plan so much.

Anyway.

Escaping the Time Lock.

That's what the other Time Lords try to put me to.

They even take my drums to make me more manageable. It only makes me more patient.

Twenty-five personal stream years later and I'm at the time Rassilon punched out. Simplicity itself to follow the call of my own mind.

I have stolen a vortex manipulator which I have pre-programmed to the co-ordinates of the Shadow Proclamation in 60140515; it's always good to have a full set of co-ordinates memorised in case of emergencies. I'll get though quickly, as it's only me, and I can get away to avoid being pulled back.

It's good to be brilliant. All the work distracts from the silence of my mind without the drums. Otherwise I have to concentrate very hard on my own hearts beating to keep from panicking.

I escape the Time Lock into orbit around Earth. I spare it a scowl as I activate the manipulator.

Nothing happens.

I hit the button again. I hold my breath, briefly pondering how long I can survive in a vacuum and how long I have before I get pulled back into the Time Lock. I pull my laser screwdriver from my hoodie.

Just a loose connection from the transit back into the normal flow of time.

I jump away before the Doctor shoots passed me to the machine far below; sending me with Rassilon and everyone else back into the Time Lock.

I take a reassuring gulp of breath as I appear intact in a deserted corridor of the Shadow Proclamation. The alarm begins to sound immediately so I move quickly to console nearby. A quick hack later and I have calibrated the vortex manipulator. The only remaining part of my plan is to get myself to the one remaining TARDIS in the Universe.

Wait.

I can sense another Time Lord. It feels similar to the Doctor, but it isn't him. A relation? He's actually gone so far as to breed with one of his precious apes?!

I feel a little revolted.

But it doesn't feel like a half-breed, I don't know how he managed that. Gene manipulation I suppose. It is probably in contact with the Doctor anyway, and so the TARDIS...

My cautious mental greeting goes unacknowledged. No adult Time Lord would ignore such a greeting; there are perhaps three of us left. So it's probably a hybrid or a child.

The Doctor I know, and we do know each other very well, would not leave an untrained child alone. He doesn't like to leave any of the things he grows attached to behind.

He might have completely failed at all mental education, of course. Depending how long it has been for him he may have abandoned some of our species' abilities. There is little point, after all, in being able to recognise members of your species from a galaxy away if you are the only one left.

I shiver and mentally shy away from the silence in my mind. Loosing the drums is all the more obvious to me now there is now background hum from the other Time Lords.

I take a deep breath and remember the alarm is sounding and I really should be leaving. I'll adapt my plan; previously I was going to head to Earth and enjoy myself until the Doctor turned up, but with this new element the potential for manipulation is greater and beckons to me; I'll pick them up on the way.

I jump away just a Judoon squad bursts into the corridor, weapons drawn.