I lie here floating in my Zero Room literally a new man. Regenerated. I think. Not a regeneration in the traditional sense. Let me explain...
Oolon, Terry, and Solis were in my sitting room for a now all-too-rare social call (NO Inner Council business this time). The timing couldn't have been accidental that David Abbot's TTC chose that moment to reach out to me. We received a distress call. Not the mechanical one, but the TTC itself called out to me. It – and its pilot – were in danger. David has been missing for some time, so we instantly went into action.
We traveled to a small desert planet after picking up one of Solis' most trusted guards – Captain Burns. There was David's TTC among some ruins, it's main door hanging open for all to enter. Before entering, Lady Todriya and Lord Avedon arrived. Presumably David's TTC distress call was set to send to his House. I'll be sure to address that in the next Mark refit with the TTC's...
We stepped into the console room, to be “greeted” by three Paradigm Daleks. Instead of gunning us down as we fully expected, they simply trundled away. We figured that they wished to preserve us to help lead them to David. Why he is a valuable enough target to pass up shooting the entire Inner Council I certainly intend to investigate. I quickly used the internal scanners to locate David in his Zero chamber, and initiated a lock down procedure once we reached him.
We found him, after dodging a few exploring Daleks. Upon reaching him, we decided upon a plan. David and a small group would return to the console room, after we lead the Daleks to the ballroom. Upon reaching the ballroom and luring the Daleks in, we would flee and David would eject the room, frying the Daleks into oblivion.
All went relatively according to plan. We lured in the Daleks. Lady Todriya took a hit, and then her and Lord Avedon used their Time Rings to escape. At the time, none of us knew if she was ok. Solis got out of the room, while Captain Burns and I held off the Daleks. We turned to run out of the room..... and blackness.
It felt familiar, and yet somehow different. I was without a body, suspended in the main computer of David's TTC. I wasn't sure what had happened, but I knew this was not the TTC I should be in. So I somehow ordered his TTC to land inside the SASTAP Eye of Harmony. A risky move, for sure. Upon materializing, the SASTAP instantly knew what had happened and pulled my consciousness into its own computer Matrix.
What happened next is what is most interesting. I awoke in the zero room... in a new body. I never felt the regeneration. My body was presumably destroyed when David ejected the room. I don't blame him, the signal was given at the correct time, I just didn't get out fast enough. Is this a real Timelord body? Did I regenerate? Or is this just a SASTAP construct – another fail safe system I didn't know about? I do not have answers to these questions as of yet.
I slept. A lot. Nearly a week. I got up from time to time and left the confines of the Zero Room to test this new body. It's a physical specimen, for sure. Tall, agile, strong, young. I can feel the personality change typical of a regeneration. I feel powerful, confident. Gone is the trepidation of being a comparatively young organic Timelord unsure of my role in New Gallifrey.
In the strangeness that is TTC interior time – David, Oolon, Terry, and Solis stepped out of their TTC nearly seven days after my own body... appeared. I was not fully recovered, still resting in the Zero Room. I felt good enough, however, to reassure them that I was ok, and landed my newly regenerated console room in the Panopticon. A fascinating process with the new modified Type 60 telepathic controls. Obviously, this body is very well suited to telepathic control – exactly what I was hoping for.
We stepped out to the arrival of Lord Avedon's TTC. We were very relieved to find Lady Todriya just recovering from a successful regeneration. Her body, much like mine, was nearing the end of its life cycle, so both of us seem better for the incident. Her and I will both need some time to explore our new selves, but we should be fine in a relatively short time.
Captain Burns, however, was not so lucky. With no miracle SASTAP rescue from the ejected TTC room, he is lost. Our first casualty of what appears to be the SL-Space Time War. A good man. Recruited from the SL-Space furry community by Cardinal Dix into his House Guard, he rose to the Castellan's Guard purely for being good at what he did. He was one of the first living beings not from N-Space to step foot inside our newly built Panopticon all those years ago. He will be missed – and may NO Timelord say that he was less of a part of our world because he couldn't regenerate or pilot a TTC.
For myself, I plan to utilize the self assured confidence of this new incarnation. I am the Lord President of the High Council of the Timelords. Today, I died. Today, we lost one of our own. Today, Daleks invaded the home of one of our officers, and attempted to assassinate the entire Inner Council. How or why they did this, I don't know. Frankly, I don't care at this point. They are done. No more Time War. We're doing this the old fashioned way. We are going to exterminate every stinky, lousy Dalek in existence, if we have to do it with a baseball bat one at a time.
Tuesday
Saturday
Part 36 – A Loss
The formal diplomatic contact with Olyesti happened today. Things... did not go as planned. Granted, they usually don't, but today raised a number of concerns. Let me start at the beginning and describe the day.
Oolon and Terry are off on some mission to one of the lesser race's city-states that I'm sure will cause nothing but petty political intrigue... which means the visit to Olyesti was just Solis and I. Actually, this was to be a welcome respite. Solis and I hadn't traveled together in a long time, I was looking forward to her being able to flex some Inner Council muscle while I got to look important.
We arrived in Olyesti without incident. The modifications to the SASTAP navigation systems allowed a smooth materialization inside the three minute time loop barrier. These modifications should be easy to remotely transmit to the New Gallifrey TTC fleet, and make travel to Olyesti routine. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Governor Judy and Controller Ar. I had heard that the three minute cities require a Controller to oversee the temporal loop shell – it was interesting to meet Ar.
The two took us to Lady Judy's private meeting room where we proceeded to talk diplomacy. I noted during our stroll to the Capital building that Olyesti was looking much better since my last visit. The infrastructure was almost entirely repaired, and it was looking rather grand. The interior of the Capital still showed minor battle scarring, but I suspect that was left there for our benefit, as a reminder of what the city had been through.
We emerged from the meeting with a plan to present to the New Gallifrey High Council. Olyesti is to be granted a unique seat on the Council, with Governor Judy being a voting member. Citizens of Olyesti may choose to join New Gallifrey Chapters and Houses. They must declare upon entry into a House who will be representing them on the Council – their Governor or their Cardinal. They will then lose voting rights in the other group.
After the conclusion of official diplomatic business, Controller Ar invited Solis and I to the Olyesti space station. We were escorted by Captain A1, the head of their Guard. Opon arriving at the station, we met Lord Zarrin, who is an able Patrexe in charge of the design and construction of the station. We discussed the possibility of converting the station into a sort of Time Station/Carrier able to transport fleets of conventional weapons through the vortex. This is something I will raise as a possibility with the Council. Assuming the Station is still there...
Next I heard the sound of some sort of Vortex Manipulator. Before I knew it, a Dalek soldier, an orbital special weapons Dalek, and a mobile human battle computer had transported to the flight deck of the station. Immediately, they came for Governor Judy and myself. Captain A1 and Solis stepped directly into the line of fire... and Solis was hit.
Immediately, she dropped like a stone to the floor and began regenerating. At that moment, I wasn't thinking of the fact that we were going to lose the vampire DNA in her system (she was supposed to undergo a controlled regeneration inside the SASTAP), only that another shot during her regeneration would surely kill her.
I turned to the Dalek soldier and unleashed the full fury of physic energy Phaon had taught me to channel. Pure energy directly from the SASTAP's Eye. I felt the life force drain from my body, but drew further strength from seeing the Dalek that had taken Solis tossed against the station's dome like a rag doll. I knew that I didn't have another blast in me, but Zarrin and the guards had cleared enough of a path through the firestorm of Dalek rays to allow me to stagger to my feet and call to the SASTAP to materialize in the line of fire. The antiquated Type 30 shell took the beating admirably as I stumbled into the SASTAP, Ar and Judy dragging a barely standing Solis into the console room. Zarrin and the Guard Captain stayed behind – I hope they are ok.
Immediately after dematerializing we drug a still glowing Solis to the SASTAP zero room. She quickly stabilized and seems to be well on the road to recovery in her new, quite vibrant incarnation. I turned to the Governor and Controller and unloaded on them in a fury of anger and accusations. This was a calculated move – my fury distracted them for a moment from the fact that the SASTAP computers were able to utilize the Zero Room to reach inside their minds without them knowing it.
I couldn't probe too deeply, but the Governor harbored genuine feelings of surprise and fear over the attack. Now the Controller... that's another story. His mind is deeply shielded, which is not surprising given the telepathic interface he works with on a daily basis. However, Governor Judy harbors feelings of deep suspicion towards him.
Obviously Olyesti has a leak. Possibly a collaborator. While Solis recovers, I must decide how to inform the Council of events, and still convince them that we need Olyesti, even if their security is in question.
For my part, I fear the events of today have taken the last out of this incarnation. I foresee a controlled regeneration in my very near future.
Oolon and Terry are off on some mission to one of the lesser race's city-states that I'm sure will cause nothing but petty political intrigue... which means the visit to Olyesti was just Solis and I. Actually, this was to be a welcome respite. Solis and I hadn't traveled together in a long time, I was looking forward to her being able to flex some Inner Council muscle while I got to look important.
We arrived in Olyesti without incident. The modifications to the SASTAP navigation systems allowed a smooth materialization inside the three minute time loop barrier. These modifications should be easy to remotely transmit to the New Gallifrey TTC fleet, and make travel to Olyesti routine. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Governor Judy and Controller Ar. I had heard that the three minute cities require a Controller to oversee the temporal loop shell – it was interesting to meet Ar.
The two took us to Lady Judy's private meeting room where we proceeded to talk diplomacy. I noted during our stroll to the Capital building that Olyesti was looking much better since my last visit. The infrastructure was almost entirely repaired, and it was looking rather grand. The interior of the Capital still showed minor battle scarring, but I suspect that was left there for our benefit, as a reminder of what the city had been through.
We emerged from the meeting with a plan to present to the New Gallifrey High Council. Olyesti is to be granted a unique seat on the Council, with Governor Judy being a voting member. Citizens of Olyesti may choose to join New Gallifrey Chapters and Houses. They must declare upon entry into a House who will be representing them on the Council – their Governor or their Cardinal. They will then lose voting rights in the other group.
After the conclusion of official diplomatic business, Controller Ar invited Solis and I to the Olyesti space station. We were escorted by Captain A1, the head of their Guard. Opon arriving at the station, we met Lord Zarrin, who is an able Patrexe in charge of the design and construction of the station. We discussed the possibility of converting the station into a sort of Time Station/Carrier able to transport fleets of conventional weapons through the vortex. This is something I will raise as a possibility with the Council. Assuming the Station is still there...
Next I heard the sound of some sort of Vortex Manipulator. Before I knew it, a Dalek soldier, an orbital special weapons Dalek, and a mobile human battle computer had transported to the flight deck of the station. Immediately, they came for Governor Judy and myself. Captain A1 and Solis stepped directly into the line of fire... and Solis was hit.
Immediately, she dropped like a stone to the floor and began regenerating. At that moment, I wasn't thinking of the fact that we were going to lose the vampire DNA in her system (she was supposed to undergo a controlled regeneration inside the SASTAP), only that another shot during her regeneration would surely kill her.
I turned to the Dalek soldier and unleashed the full fury of physic energy Phaon had taught me to channel. Pure energy directly from the SASTAP's Eye. I felt the life force drain from my body, but drew further strength from seeing the Dalek that had taken Solis tossed against the station's dome like a rag doll. I knew that I didn't have another blast in me, but Zarrin and the guards had cleared enough of a path through the firestorm of Dalek rays to allow me to stagger to my feet and call to the SASTAP to materialize in the line of fire. The antiquated Type 30 shell took the beating admirably as I stumbled into the SASTAP, Ar and Judy dragging a barely standing Solis into the console room. Zarrin and the Guard Captain stayed behind – I hope they are ok.
Immediately after dematerializing we drug a still glowing Solis to the SASTAP zero room. She quickly stabilized and seems to be well on the road to recovery in her new, quite vibrant incarnation. I turned to the Governor and Controller and unloaded on them in a fury of anger and accusations. This was a calculated move – my fury distracted them for a moment from the fact that the SASTAP computers were able to utilize the Zero Room to reach inside their minds without them knowing it.
I couldn't probe too deeply, but the Governor harbored genuine feelings of surprise and fear over the attack. Now the Controller... that's another story. His mind is deeply shielded, which is not surprising given the telepathic interface he works with on a daily basis. However, Governor Judy harbors feelings of deep suspicion towards him.
Obviously Olyesti has a leak. Possibly a collaborator. While Solis recovers, I must decide how to inform the Council of events, and still convince them that we need Olyesti, even if their security is in question.
For my part, I fear the events of today have taken the last out of this incarnation. I foresee a controlled regeneration in my very near future.
Part 35 – Betrayal
Perhaps betrayal is too strong of a word. I mean, strictly speaking, betrayal is accurate. However, if that word was used every time a Prydonian House defied the wishes of the High Council, history would document little else of interest. Solis issued the following...
“The Inner Council of the High Council of Timelords and the office of the Castellan hereby issues a capture and arrest warrant for Sidonie Carlberg, Raven Poe (ninasofia constantine), and Lord Cardinal Sam Brautigan on the charges of treason, violation of a High Council temporal treaty, murder, kidnapping, torture, unethical scientific research, unethical use of said research, theft of a TTC, operating a stolen TTC.”
The Inner Council has been quietly building a case against several members of House Prydonian since Cardinal Angelica's arranged departure. Her leaving was, of course, part of the plan to flush out known problems within her House that unfortunately were brought over from N-Space.
It's the arrogance of the fools that frustrate me. They openly defied the Council by not only building a military force without any consultation with the Council, but by openly defying our treaty with the SL faction Daleks by experimenting on and torturing the Kaled they captured. Now, I have no love lost for the Daleks... but this faction was created by someone here in SL space. Someone likely still here. Honoring this treaty is essential to discovering why we are here. I attempted to explain this to Cardinal Brautigan. Either she failed to understand the message, or has no control over her own Chapter. Frankly, I don't care which it is – she clearly can not fulfill her duties to the High Council.
As for Carlberg and Raven... they are going to be made examples of. I want Brautigan's title. I want the remaining regenerations from those two. This stops here – we will NOT repeat the mistakes of our N-Space brethren on my watch.
Councilor Mornington will resume his role as the trusted impartial member of the Council and serve as Arbitor of the Trial, and host it at Zenobia Time Station. I will, of course, serve as prosecutor. Chancellor Sputnik will serve as defense. Castellan Solis will be handing security, while Usher Franklin coordinates between New Gallifrey, Zenobia, and likely Olyesti. They jury has yet to be selected, that is on the agenda for the next High Council meeting.
“The Inner Council of the High Council of Timelords and the office of the Castellan hereby issues a capture and arrest warrant for Sidonie Carlberg, Raven Poe (ninasofia constantine), and Lord Cardinal Sam Brautigan on the charges of treason, violation of a High Council temporal treaty, murder, kidnapping, torture, unethical scientific research, unethical use of said research, theft of a TTC, operating a stolen TTC.”
The Inner Council has been quietly building a case against several members of House Prydonian since Cardinal Angelica's arranged departure. Her leaving was, of course, part of the plan to flush out known problems within her House that unfortunately were brought over from N-Space.
It's the arrogance of the fools that frustrate me. They openly defied the Council by not only building a military force without any consultation with the Council, but by openly defying our treaty with the SL faction Daleks by experimenting on and torturing the Kaled they captured. Now, I have no love lost for the Daleks... but this faction was created by someone here in SL space. Someone likely still here. Honoring this treaty is essential to discovering why we are here. I attempted to explain this to Cardinal Brautigan. Either she failed to understand the message, or has no control over her own Chapter. Frankly, I don't care which it is – she clearly can not fulfill her duties to the High Council.
As for Carlberg and Raven... they are going to be made examples of. I want Brautigan's title. I want the remaining regenerations from those two. This stops here – we will NOT repeat the mistakes of our N-Space brethren on my watch.
Councilor Mornington will resume his role as the trusted impartial member of the Council and serve as Arbitor of the Trial, and host it at Zenobia Time Station. I will, of course, serve as prosecutor. Chancellor Sputnik will serve as defense. Castellan Solis will be handing security, while Usher Franklin coordinates between New Gallifrey, Zenobia, and likely Olyesti. They jury has yet to be selected, that is on the agenda for the next High Council meeting.
Monday
Part 34 - An Ending
It struck me a while ago that Oolon had perhaps a significantly more brilliant idea before his last regeneration than even he realized. By tinkering with the nano-virus integration systems in his Type 50 TTC, he was able to alter his regenerative process and effectively design himself a more advanced brain.
Because of the inherent limitations to the Timelord nano-virus system, there is, however, only so much he could accomplish here. After the arrival of Olyesti, I was able to update our own Matrix with the plans of more advanced TTC's designed after the Inner Council's arrival here in SL-Space, including the all-telepathic interface Type 60. I immediately installed it as my secondary control, and already I can see the potential benefits.
I have discovered the systems buried deep in the SASTAP computer that created my original Timelord body as a safety mechanism. The telepathic utilization of the SASTAP systems at the level I have undertaken recently has taken its toll on this incarnation – this body is nearly ready to regenerate. Before I do, I believe I can design a new body with the specific purpose of telepathic interface with the SASTAP systems without causing the serious physical side effects I have been experiencing.
Rassilon's vision of the SASTAP's function was for the primary pilot to be telepathically interfaced with an Artron based exterior shell that could materialize as a sort of super-body. I believe it is possible to take that one step farther. If the exterior of the SASTAP materializes as the nano-virus network in my own body, instead of the body itself, the same outcome can be accomplished, while not being tied to the interior of the TTC forever unable to leave.
See, the main downfall of the Timelord nano-virus regenerative system is energy. During a regeneration, the only energy source they have is the break down of the dying body. Many of the nano-viruses do not survive the energy conversion process, so a typical Timelord only has enough to successfully regenerate 12 times.
SASTAP created nano-viruses would have access to virtually unlimited TTC power for regenerative purposes. Since the exterior system also offers complete telepathic control, they would also be able to regenerate on command. This would effectively make a Timelord body in this state a shape shifter.
This process is obviously a complex one, and must be done in two stages. Upon my next regeneration, I must interface with the exterior and internal architectural systems telepathically, and design two things. First, I must design a physical body that can handle the telepathic rigors of controlling the SASTAP systems remotely. Then I must design a telepathic console interface based on the Type 60 design specifically to connect with the new body.
This will make my next incarnation an interim point. Upon that body regenerating, I can complete the process. Even this interim stage will almost certainly allow me to land and control a partially organic exterior form with huge advantages over my current limited abilities.
Because of the inherent limitations to the Timelord nano-virus system, there is, however, only so much he could accomplish here. After the arrival of Olyesti, I was able to update our own Matrix with the plans of more advanced TTC's designed after the Inner Council's arrival here in SL-Space, including the all-telepathic interface Type 60. I immediately installed it as my secondary control, and already I can see the potential benefits.
I have discovered the systems buried deep in the SASTAP computer that created my original Timelord body as a safety mechanism. The telepathic utilization of the SASTAP systems at the level I have undertaken recently has taken its toll on this incarnation – this body is nearly ready to regenerate. Before I do, I believe I can design a new body with the specific purpose of telepathic interface with the SASTAP systems without causing the serious physical side effects I have been experiencing.
Rassilon's vision of the SASTAP's function was for the primary pilot to be telepathically interfaced with an Artron based exterior shell that could materialize as a sort of super-body. I believe it is possible to take that one step farther. If the exterior of the SASTAP materializes as the nano-virus network in my own body, instead of the body itself, the same outcome can be accomplished, while not being tied to the interior of the TTC forever unable to leave.
See, the main downfall of the Timelord nano-virus regenerative system is energy. During a regeneration, the only energy source they have is the break down of the dying body. Many of the nano-viruses do not survive the energy conversion process, so a typical Timelord only has enough to successfully regenerate 12 times.
SASTAP created nano-viruses would have access to virtually unlimited TTC power for regenerative purposes. Since the exterior system also offers complete telepathic control, they would also be able to regenerate on command. This would effectively make a Timelord body in this state a shape shifter.
This process is obviously a complex one, and must be done in two stages. Upon my next regeneration, I must interface with the exterior and internal architectural systems telepathically, and design two things. First, I must design a physical body that can handle the telepathic rigors of controlling the SASTAP systems remotely. Then I must design a telepathic console interface based on the Type 60 design specifically to connect with the new body.
This will make my next incarnation an interim point. Upon that body regenerating, I can complete the process. Even this interim stage will almost certainly allow me to land and control a partially organic exterior form with huge advantages over my current limited abilities.
Sunday
Part 33 - Olyesti
It seems providence shines on us after all. Olyesti, one of three minute cities, has arrived in SL Space. In one of my random exploration sessions, I picked up some strange temporal readings. After doing some tinkering to achieve a successful materialization, I discovered a city of Timelord architecture in temporal suspension.
I could only stay a limited time (the exterior shell was in danger with the temporal disparity), but I was there long enough to confirm that a battered Olyesti plus nearly all of its original inhabitants had arrived here. I was able to open a semi-stable communication channel before needing to leave.
After speaking with several of the city's ruling Council, we are in the midst of two important projects. First, I believe I have made sufficient adjustments to the SASTAP to be able to land in Olyesti's time stream undamaged. I will take the New Gallifrey Inner Council there as a test run to initial formal diplomatic contact and discuss integration of Olyesti into the High Council.
We are currently exploring several options, including a unique Olyesti seat on the Council. No decision has been made, and will not be for some time. For now, we are all happy that so many new Timelords have been discovered alive and reasonably well.
Of course, this timely arrival once again begs the questions – who is sending us here, and why? Is it really an N-Space attack as originally thought, or are we being sent here to prepare for a greater, far more positive purpose?
I could only stay a limited time (the exterior shell was in danger with the temporal disparity), but I was there long enough to confirm that a battered Olyesti plus nearly all of its original inhabitants had arrived here. I was able to open a semi-stable communication channel before needing to leave.
After speaking with several of the city's ruling Council, we are in the midst of two important projects. First, I believe I have made sufficient adjustments to the SASTAP to be able to land in Olyesti's time stream undamaged. I will take the New Gallifrey Inner Council there as a test run to initial formal diplomatic contact and discuss integration of Olyesti into the High Council.
We are currently exploring several options, including a unique Olyesti seat on the Council. No decision has been made, and will not be for some time. For now, we are all happy that so many new Timelords have been discovered alive and reasonably well.
Of course, this timely arrival once again begs the questions – who is sending us here, and why? Is it really an N-Space attack as originally thought, or are we being sent here to prepare for a greater, far more positive purpose?
Monday
Part 32 - Distractions
When computers sleep, it's blackness. Nothingness. When a TARDIS computer “sleeps,” she wanders the vortex and looks at all of time and space. However, I'm neither now. I am a Timelord, and I came to realize a century or so ago that I have a responsibility.
You see, Timelords aspired past our station in life. We began with a lowly organic lifespan with weak bodies, small minds, and a stunted society. By sheer force of will, we became the most powerful single civilization in the universe. I think many Timelords, even if they are loathe to admit it, look at the universe with a certain wonder – well aware of the fact that we really have no business being able to experience what our technology allows us to.
So I found a hobby. An excuse to travel the universe and explore. Upon becoming organic, the flood of emotion every time I examined a past memory was crippling. Phaon assisted me greatly with mental control exercises, but I still found it very challenging. Humans from Earth seemed to struggle with this same issue, and one of the most consistent tools I found throughout Terran history for turning emotion into a positive, driving force is music.
So I took a few decades to train myself in the play of the most common human instruments. The SASTAP cloister room is now bursting with various instruments in temporal suspension from throughout history that have an especially emotional attachment. Here is what I have so far, with the list growing as I continue to explore music performance as a method of self-exploration.
1) An electronic keyboard taken from 2010 Earth used by composer Eric Whitacre to compose the choral piece Sleep.
2) A record player from taken from the 2371 home of human Captain Benjamin Sisko.
3) The harpsichord played by L.V. Beethoven in 1787 for a performance in which W.A. Mozart was in the audience.
4) The music stand used by L.V. Beethoven to conduct the first performance of his ninth symphony.
5) A grand piano from the home of Franz Liszt used to compose his second rhapsody for violin and piano.
6) The third violin created by Andrea Amati in 1558, taken from 1693 Earth.
7) A keytar purchased in 1984 by an unknown child, taken from an Earth colony vessel before it's crash landing on the planet Frontios in the year 176,338.
8) Six cellos (which has emerged as my favorite instrument).
1. A Stradivarius made in 1680 for King James II, taken in 1697.
2. The 1711 Duport Stradivarius, taken in 2267.
3. One of the first mass produced cellos from a 1938 US factory.
4. A handmade German cello made in 2003 that I used in a local orchestra for 5 years.
5. A cello rescued from the planet Malcassairo eight months before the last life in the universe went extinct, construction date unknown.
6. One cello built by myself, in the shop and tutelage of Nicolo Amati in 1654.
You see, Timelords aspired past our station in life. We began with a lowly organic lifespan with weak bodies, small minds, and a stunted society. By sheer force of will, we became the most powerful single civilization in the universe. I think many Timelords, even if they are loathe to admit it, look at the universe with a certain wonder – well aware of the fact that we really have no business being able to experience what our technology allows us to.
So I found a hobby. An excuse to travel the universe and explore. Upon becoming organic, the flood of emotion every time I examined a past memory was crippling. Phaon assisted me greatly with mental control exercises, but I still found it very challenging. Humans from Earth seemed to struggle with this same issue, and one of the most consistent tools I found throughout Terran history for turning emotion into a positive, driving force is music.
So I took a few decades to train myself in the play of the most common human instruments. The SASTAP cloister room is now bursting with various instruments in temporal suspension from throughout history that have an especially emotional attachment. Here is what I have so far, with the list growing as I continue to explore music performance as a method of self-exploration.
1) An electronic keyboard taken from 2010 Earth used by composer Eric Whitacre to compose the choral piece Sleep.
2) A record player from taken from the 2371 home of human Captain Benjamin Sisko.
3) The harpsichord played by L.V. Beethoven in 1787 for a performance in which W.A. Mozart was in the audience.
4) The music stand used by L.V. Beethoven to conduct the first performance of his ninth symphony.
5) A grand piano from the home of Franz Liszt used to compose his second rhapsody for violin and piano.
6) The third violin created by Andrea Amati in 1558, taken from 1693 Earth.
7) A keytar purchased in 1984 by an unknown child, taken from an Earth colony vessel before it's crash landing on the planet Frontios in the year 176,338.
8) Six cellos (which has emerged as my favorite instrument).
1. A Stradivarius made in 1680 for King James II, taken in 1697.
2. The 1711 Duport Stradivarius, taken in 2267.
3. One of the first mass produced cellos from a 1938 US factory.
4. A handmade German cello made in 2003 that I used in a local orchestra for 5 years.
5. A cello rescued from the planet Malcassairo eight months before the last life in the universe went extinct, construction date unknown.
6. One cello built by myself, in the shop and tutelage of Nicolo Amati in 1654.
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