Unbound-Part 27

Unbound
An "Enterprise" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

RATING: NC-17. SERIES CONCLUSION.
ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Welcomed.
EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com
WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Discovering the truth about their enemy is even more chilling than not knowing."
DISCLAIMER: The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Enterprise' are the property of Paramount. No infringement of copyright is intended.

Part 27 (Conclusion)

"UNBOUND"

* * * * *

Minds bound in a single purpose, Dr Phlox tried again. This time focusing only on the Sub-Commander. He was afraid the more emotional Commander would make contact difficult. He needed pin sharp connection not a broadband swell of emotional feedback that would leak out of the confines of his iron control and alert their enemy. He could sense Lt. Reed and Captain Archer's dry response to his evaluation but neither were able to voice any kind of descent. He pushed out their conjoined energies in a tight beam, cutting through all the layers of defense the Vulcan had built up in her mind. Impressed he sailed through them, knowing the key to approaching the more hidden depths until he reached that inner sanctum. What he found when he got there surprised him so much he almost broke out of the trance.

"Glad ya could make it, doc. We almost gave up on ya."

The Denobulan mentally blinked. *Trip? What are you doing here?*

*It was the logical solution.* Explained the Sub-Commander.

Dr. Phlox sensed a kind of brightening of their auras and knew with sudden certainty that they were well and truly bonded. That knowledge eased his sense of shock and brought him a deep kind of joy. He now understood fully how two minds could occupy the fortress of one formidable consciousness. He felt a swell of pride in his protégée. *This is most unexpected, T'Pol, but very welcome news indeed.*

They sensed his huge v-shaped smile in their minds and he felt their silent laughter caress briefly a mind that had become far too grim of late. He did not dare indulge his pleasure in their bonding and distract himself from the primary purpose with the hundreds of questions he could level at them on that very subject. *Do you know where you are?*

*We are on Zeon, in the Grand Audience Chamber.*

The doctor thought about that for a moment. *Can you get out to the planet surface?*

*Doc, we can't even get outta each other's arms!*

That surprised him. *You can't?*

*We seem to be bound together.* Said T'Pol, her thoughts calm not agitated as he would have expected under the circumstances. Paradoxically, it seemed to be her joining to the Commander that gave her such admirable control.

*There's some kind'a stuff around us. Like a milky white mist if ya know what I mean. We can't move our bodies an' our minds only escaped because T'Pol moved so quick.*

*A wise precaution and necessary. Do you know that they plan to do with you? Why you are here?*

He sensed a reluctance in the Vulcan but Trip had no such reservation. *They want our genetic material, Doc.*

A tendril of fear slid down the connection. If he could have he would have shuddered at the thought knowing only too well how disastrous such a thing would be.

*Doc? What is it you an' T'Pol aren't tellin' me?*

*There will be plenty of time to indulge in speculation once we get you out of there.*

*How are you going to do that?* Asked T'Pol.

Dr. Phlox allowed his mind to fall silent for a moment. Sensing the very same question from Lt. Reed and Captain Archer. It was a very good question.

* * * * *

The Xindi Captain was surprised at the sudden appearance of their visitor. The Chancellor was respectful but suspicious, though he was careful not to antagonise the Maker. "How may we serve you, Excellency?" The Chancellor asked, eyes glittering darkly while keeping his expression carefully neutral.

"We need to talk." Said Kantak.

"We are beyond talking." The mammalian Xindi responded. All fired up with the next stage of the Master's plan for the Humans he was impatient to continue.

The Insectoid Xindi was poised to do whatever was needful to make the Master's plan fact. The Humans were a danger, a menace. Their enemy. Only their complete and utter annihilation gave the Xindi race a chance to survive. He would allow nothing to compromise that outcome. The aquatic Xindi floated to the edge of their tank and watched the Zenari intently. They wanted to know his purpose in coming but would not insult him by asking.

"You have been manipulated."

They knew that but it was a price they would willingly pay. They owed the Makers their allegiance and total obedience if not their existence. Only the Xindi Captain seemed to have reservations. "Speak, Excellency, and enlighten us."

Kantak bowed slightly and all of the Xindi responded in kind. Now hushed, waiting to hear whatever message they were to be given. As Kantak straightened there could be no mistaking his deep aura of sadness. "Ambassador Chot is dead."

Shock raced through his audience. "What happened?" Barked the Chancellor.

"He discovered the Master's true plan."

They looked bewildered. *True* plan? Kantak could not blame them. Was not sure he would survive the revelation he brought with him. The Insectoid Xindi spoke in his unique clicks and burrs: a question. "The Master killed him?"

Kantak shook his head. "No. The revelation did."

The Xindi Captain took a step towards him then stopped. Not wishing to show disrespect but needing to know what he was talking about. "What revelation, Excellency?"

"I carry the residue, the last gift I can give you from him."

Touched by emotion none spoke. Kantak took a moment to steady his energy. "The Ambassador was encoded with the Master's plan."

"This we know." Said the mammalian Xindi respectfully.

"No, my friends, you do not." The sudden hardening of his voice drew their attention. "I will reveal the truth to you that you may better understand the nature of your betrayal."

They exchanged looks. Disturbed and unsettled by his words. None spoke. Kantak spread his arms out and lifted his head. The dark cloak shifted, electric blue light flashed in his robe, the air crackled with dark energy. Sparks flew from his fingers and his aspect grew indistinct as a screen of light appeared between him and the Xindi. Upon that screen unfurled the Ambassador's thoughts. A message left for them all, the blueprint forming in the air between them as the disembodied voice of the now departed Ambassador informed them of a deceit the magnitude of which almost broke them.

The Chancellor wanted to denounce the revelation but could not fashion words. They stuck in his throat, lodged deep by shock. Could it be true? He looked at the Xindi Captain who seemed to be the only one among them able to function. "How do we know this is true, Excellency?" He asked quietly.

"Because the Ambassador died to send this last message to you." He paused. "We are immortal so know that cessation of such life is not an aberration but a permanent gift. We shall not see his like again - not in any universe or time you can possibly imagine. His essence is gone, all but this tiny reliquary that now resides in me."

The aquatic Xindi nearest the glass nodded solemnly. "Then you are in danger."

"As are we all." Kantak responded solemnly.

The mammalian Xindi looked troubled. "What can we do? We have come so far and the bomb is almost ready. The Humans will soon be wiped from history."

"No. We must not take that last step."

"How can we defy the Master?" Said the Chancellor darkly.

"How can we not?"

All heads turned to stare at the Xindi Captain. "I suspected something was not right but even I could not have dreamed of such corruption. We have been used. We have been altered, changed and then discarded. Over and over again. For this one purpose."

"You do not know that." Said the mammalian Xindi.

"The revelation speaks otherwise. Look at the blueprint!"

"We thought the Humans destroyed our homeworld." Said the Insectoid Xindi sharply. "We would have done anything to wipe them out so that we might survive."

"Their Captain was telling the truth." Said the Xindi Captain, his reptilian lips drawing back to show sharp teeth as he bit back the pain of perfect recall. "Even though we tested him and found he did not lie still we did not believe him."

"We released him." Said the Chancellor in mitigation.

"No," Said their Captain. "We sent him back in trade."

A long pained silence followed. It was the thoughtful voice of the Chancellor who broke it. "What do we do now?"

* * * * *

The Master was well pleased. Soon the Expanse would tremble to the sound of his name. All species that entered it would pay tribute to him. Everything would exist to serve him. It would be an exquisite revenge on ancient laws. A vindication of his own place in the universe. The one he would surely carve out for himself. He would keep the Human and the Vulcan in thrall. Allowing them only moments of freedom in their lifetime to create and furnish the material he would need to extend his plan. To create the future he wanted that had been so long denied him. The Xindi had been useful but imperfect. He had been forced to create many versions in order to glean all the properties from their race to best serve his needs. They were the warriors he could not be. He was the God-like Creator who could do no wrong. Now he would create a higher species. One that would be bound to him for Eternity. One among whom he would have no equal.

* * * * *

Captain Archer tried to speak through the trinity but his thoughts remained mute and isolated. Lt. Reed had the same restrictions. Individually they cursed Dr Phlox. Reduced to the sidelines like spectators while their mental energy was pooled to enable the doctor to achieve what could not be accomplished alone.

*What d'ya mean ya can't bring us back?*

*Calm? Doc they're about to cut us open to take out our genetic material! Or rather, cut open T'Pol, an' you're tellin' me there's nothin' ya can do to help us?*

Dr. Phlox felt miserable but refused to accept defeat. He decided he would have to chance direct communication with other members of Enterprise's crew. They had simply run out of options and were now in danger of running out of time as well. Sub-Commander T'Pol knew his mind, understood and did not add to his burden by transmitting those thoughts. Trip on the other hand didn't know that and was frustrated. T'Pol clothed him in her loving calm, her thoughts cradling his more chaotic ones and taking the sting out of his irritation. Oddly enough it freed him to think more clearly though even he could think of no solution to their current predicament. *Be patient* The doctor urged.

Without waiting for their response the Denobulan released his hold on his companions brought himself, Lt. Reed and the Captain out of the deep trance state. He blinked his eyes and took a moment for his multiple retinas to focus. Lt. Reed sat up sluggishly then shot the doctor an injured look. "Why did you do that?"

The doctor was amazingly calm. Not a trace of discomfort or guilt over manipulating him and the Captain. For the time being he had been serving a higher cause. The Captain groaned, stirred, then stretched slowly as he opened his eyes. "What can we do? You heard Trip, we can't leave them there."

"We will have to risk using the transporter, Captain."

The Captain agreed and quickly activated the com. All thought about keeping their conversations from the Master had been relegated to the sidelines. They knew they did not have much time if they were to save their friends and possibly the entire Human Race. Travis answered the com. "Yes, Captain?"

"Travis, get to the transporter room and meet us there."

Without asking any questions Travis handed over his post at the helm to his beta shift counterpart and hurried to the transporter room. He got there just as the Captain, Dr Phlox and Lt. Reed arrived. He wondered why they needed him if Lt Reed was there but was not about to question his Captain's order. He found out soon enough when Dr Phlox explained how he wanted Travis to triangulate their information to secure a lock on their missing crew members. Ensign Mayweather looked doubtful but patched in the co-ordinates, noting that the three officers looked pretty worn out. Captain Archer hovered impatiently at this shoulder as he tried again and again to get a lock. He looked up at their expectant faces. "I'm sorry, sir, I can't get a lock."

Lt. Reed stepped up to the instrument panel to see if he could help when suddenly Travis went pale.

"Travis?"

"Uh sorry, Captain."

"What is it? What's wrong?" Asked the Captain.

"Are you sure about those co-ordinates, sir?"

Lt. Reed and Captain Archer looked at the doctor. The Denobulan nodded firmly. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

Travis looked down at the control panel and cleared his throat carefully, the bottom falling out of his world as he pushed the unwelcome words passed his numb lips. "The Commander and Sub-Commander are no longer there."

* * * * *

The Xindi were silent now. Having heard everything Kantak had to tell them and witnessing the thoughts and memories of the now deceased Ambassador they listened to the Zenari's solution. He expected them to argue, to threaten and grow violent, to tell him to his face that he was crazy but none of these things happened. He stared at them in surprise when they conversed in their various sub-dialects and came to the same conclusion. The Xindi Captain spoke for them all. "The weapon is configured to operate on Human DNA. We do not know how it will affect other species."

"It is not the biological component that is necessary for this task." Said Kantak gravely. "Is the explosive yield sufficient to the task?"

The Xindi looked at each other. They were used to the Zenari telling them what to do not the other way around. Having a Maker ask for their opinion was a new concept but one they absorbed without judgment. "Not in its present form but there is a distillation of Trellium that would greatly amplify the effect."

"Enough to be sufficient?"

The Chancellor nodded. "Yes. It will take all our stockpiled resources but yes, it will do what you require, Excellency."

"Then do it."

It took minutes only to reconfigure the biological warhead to carry the Trellium though it had to be done carefully for it was being used in its' most volatile liquid state. The aquatic Xindi expressed his concern. "Will it not detonate the moment we launch it?"

"I can use my energy to both stablise it until it reaches its' target as well as mask it from detection. Launch it now!"

The Xindi Captain gave the order, Kantak reached out with his energy and the Chancellor suggested they move out of the area that would be caught up in the shockwave. As they did so, the Xindi Captain asked permission to contact the Human starship. Kantak did not open his eyes or break his concentration but nodded. Captain Archer was surprised and shocked to be contacted by the Xindi Captain. "Captain Archer, if you value the lives of yourself and your crew you will remove yourselves from this vicinity."

Captain Archer gritted his teeth. "No way in hell am I leaving any of my crew behind on that planet!"

"Captain, they are not on the planet. Just withdraw and you will understand."

The communication went dead. The Captain stared at Dr. Phlox and Lt. Reed. Travis pursed his lips together and said what the others were thinking out loud. "How did he know that?"

Making a snap decision Captain Archer told Travis to get back to the helm and move them as far away as possible. They followed the boomer to the bridge and as they were withdrawing from the area a massive white light filled the bridge then the air around them concussed and the ship shook violently. Hoshi cried out and when the moment had passed took a hand from her ear, alarmed to see it was covered in blood where her ears had bled. The Captain was furious. "Lt. Reed, what was that?"

The Lieutenant had resumed his tactical station and was rapidly checking the readouts, his face going both still and white. The Captain thought his hands were shaking.

"Lieutenant?"

Lt. Reed looked up at him, clearly upset. "It's Zeon, Captain."

"What about it?"

"It's gone, sir. The Xindi have blown it to bits."

Silence fell like a lead blanket. Shocked faces stared in abject horror. Just then the Xindi ship hailed them. "You blew up an entire planet." He said quietly. "What was that? A demonstration of what you intend to do to Earth?"

The Xindi Captain just stared back at him for a moment. "No, Captain. We made a mistake. It was not your people who destroyed our homeworld 400 years from now."

Captain Archer was confused. "I don't understand."

"Neither did we." The Xindi Captain looked mournful, a deep pained sadness to his movements that baffled the Human. "But you *will* understand."

"Yes, but..."

The image on the screen was cut before he could ask any more questions. However the Xindi Captain kept the audio com open just long enough for his final words to echo in Captain Archer's head. "We are returning your crew members to you, Captain. Leave this space before the Expanse recovers and you are trapped forever. Do not come looking for us ever again. You will *not* find us."

Then all communication ceased. Before the Captain could think of anything to say a white diaphanous mist began to fill the bridge. It was thicker in the middle than at the edges. Alarmed, the Captain was glad to see it was starting to dissipate. Still too thick to peer through he clearly heard Lt. Reed's voice. "Bloody hell!"

The mist cleared. And there. In the middle of the bridge wrapped around each other as if their very lives depended on it were his Chief Engineer and Science Officer. The only thing bigger than the shock of seeing their safe return was the fact that both of them were naked.

"Oh my God!" Murmured the stunned Captain. Hoshi put a hand over her mouth, her painful ears forgotten as she took in the expressions on everyone's faces. Dr. Phlox smiled happily, his eyes sparkling brightly with humour and relief. "Ah Commander, Sub-Commander, so happy you could join us!"

Trip blinked in the bright light. Stunned and just coming to his senses. Still hanging on to a more slowly reviving Sub-Commander. Her diminutive stature moulded so perfectly to his own lean form. Reluctant to release her. He realised they had no clothes on and flushed, eyes widening. He tightened his hold on T'Pol protectively and looked at Ensign Sato. "Hoshi? D'ya think ya could get us some clothes?"

The Captain's lips quirked up with humour. Only Trip could end up in a situation like this even when he was literally snatched out of the jaws of death. He was going to enjoy hearing Trip and T'Pol's story almost as much as he was looking forward to teasing his friend. But first. First he needed to make sure they were both all right then he wanted some answers.

* * * * *

The Captain, Commander Tucker, Sub-Commander T'Pol, Lt. Reed, Dr. Phlox, Ensigns Hoshi Sato and Travis Mayweather were all gathered in the Captain's ready room. Hoshi could not resist tilting her head and casting a mischievous sideways glance at the Chief Engineer. "Commander Tucker?"

He looked up at her and gave a little half smile. "Yeah, what is it Hoshi?"

She gave him a sweet smile as they took their places around the table. "Nothing, I just wanted to check it was you. I almost didn't recognise you with your clothes on."

He opened his mouth to protest as he started to flush. A small cool hand on his arm calmed him. He turned his head and looked down at T'Pol, a wealth of understanding exchanged in that one cherished look. He glanced back at Hoshi and gave her a full blown smile. "Good to be back, Hoshi."

Captain Archer cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "I speak for all the crew when I say how happy we are to have Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol back with us. I have *no* idea how I'm going to complete my report to the Admiral."

"Uh, sir? Do we *have* to tell him?" Asked Trip.

A few smirks around the table faded slowly as the Captain resisted the urge to go down the obvious route. "Well, we have to tell him something Commander. For example, how do we explain that we don't think the Xindi are a threat to Earth any more?"

Lt. Reed spoke up quickly. "Perhaps we should hold back on that, sir."

"Why, Lieutenant?"

"It may be a little premature to say the danger is over, Captain. After all we only have their word for it that they were subject to the same kinds of manipulation we were."

"I agree with Lt. Reed, Captain." Asserted T'Pol.

Captain Archer raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I thought you would be one of the first to reassess our views of the Xindi, Sub-Commander?"

"These are unusual circumstances, Captain, and I would remind you that there is positive as well as negative manipulation. The Zenari tutored the Xindi. We cannot expect centuries of such control to be wiped away with one act of seeming compassion."

"Which brings us to what the Xindi told you and Trip when they rescued you from Zeon."

"Ambassador Kantak was able to throw some light on the situation, Captain. It seems the non-corporeal lifeform known as the Master of the Void had manipulated the Zenari who in turn did the same to the Xindi. They had also interfered with other races in this and other dimensions and times but this area is unique."

"We've all experienced examples of the Expanse's *unique* properties." Agreed the Captain.

"It would seem the Master was not a God, a deity, a *higher* lifeform if you will. Ambassador Chot discovered who and what he was and the revelation so shocked and distressed him that he withdrew his life-force and died. Though not before leaving a record in his consciousness for Kantak, his successor. Kantak retrieved the thoughts and memories of the departed Ambassador and as is their custom absorbed that information into his own essence. What he discovered was this. The Master was cast out of another dimension for crimes so heinous they would warrant certain death but he is non-corporeal and immortal. You could not shoot him, hang him, poison him or cut off his head. Traditional methods of execution do not work when there is no physical body involved. Therefore they needed a form of punishment to fit the exotic nature of this evil being. The Delphic Expanse has been referred to by the Zenari and the Xindi as *sacred space*. This was a fabrication by the Master to elevate his place of internment to something that would instill awe in those he wished to impress. The Expanse has such diverse and complicated properties because nothing less would contain him."

Everybody looked stunned. Travis' mouth dropped open. "Are you saying this is a PRISON?"

The Sub-Commander nodded. "Yes. A prison in which the Master was bound for all eternity for crimes so terrible that it involved the annihilation of whole species and the destruction not only of planets but at times entire galaxies."

For a while no one said anything. At last the Captain nodded for T'Pol to continue.

"As far as I can gather from Ambassador Kantak with time having no meaning for the Master he had all eternity to plan his escape. This he intended to do by seeking out a lifeform with the potential to house his non-corporeal essence."

"Excuse me," Interrupted Lt. Reed. "Are you talking about possession?"

The Sub-Commander raised an eyebrow. "A not inaccurate description, Lieutenant, except this lifeform wanted to find a suitable species then grow a body to his specific requirements. He would then occupy that body and use it as a means to extricate himself from this elaborate prison."

"A kind'a Trojan Horse." Said Trip thoughtfully. "What I don't get is how he thought he'd fool anyone? I mean, the Xindi say we're as trapped in here as they are."

Dr. Phlox smiled. "Ah, but you forget something Commander."

Everybody turned to look at the doctor.

"They lie. Just think of when we were on Zeon. Had their claims been truthful none of us would have escaped from that world and returned to Enterprise."

"Pretty elaborate lies, doc." Said Trip.

"Yes, but for a lifeform that cannot die and is doomed to spend eternity in prison the lies were also a form of entertainment. A way to pass time."

"At our expense." Said Travis.

"At *everybody's* expense." Corrected the Captain.

Lt. Reed looked around the table slowly. "What happens now? Do we notify the M.A.C.O.s waiting on the edge of the Expanse to return to Earth?"

The Captain gave his Armoury Officer a wry smile. "No, Lieutenant, we don't. If this is another lie I don't want to be caught out without the extra firepower they can provide. Remember, we're not out here just for ourselves. If this is another sleight of hand I don't want Earth to pay the price of our carelessness."

* * * * *

It had been a truly long, exhausting day and not just because of the endless talking and discussions with the Captain and the others. Trip found physical communication quite a cumbersome affair after being linked mentally with T'Pol. They were at last in the Sub-Commander's quarters. He watched as the woman he loved more than life itself lit the meditation candle. Both were in their sleepwear. They meditated for an hour, hands reaching out to touch each other as they rose slowly out of their bonded trance. His skin tingled wherever she touched him, her skin glowed. Eyes fastened on each other, hearts beating in time, thoughts merging in a beautiful endless sea of consciousness. T'Pol put the candle to one side. Trip moved forward on the cushion and dipped his head to kiss those plush lips, one hand ghosting through her short hair as their tongues began a slow erotic dance, while his other hand slid down her belly.

The smile against his lips could not be imagined. His heart soared as she undressed him. Hers relaxed into complete joy when he gently disrobed her. Their warm flesh cradled against each other as they slowly made love. *Do you know how much I love ya, T'Pol?*

*We have six point four hours for you to tell me, Ashayam.*

He chuckled gently in her mind, his hand dipping between her legs and finding her moist and ready for him, her hips arching so she could rub herself against his hand. His fingers slid between the warm folds and sought out the complex bundle of nerves that liquefied her spine and made her tremble inside with want and need. Their kiss deepened. She hummed in his mind, such joy and deep content that between them words were not necessary.

* * * * *

Lt. Reed was thoughtful as he watched the stars go by. He did not turn his head as Dr Phlox joined him on the observation deck. "Unable to sleep, Lieutenant?"

"I couldn't help thinking. We didn't wipe out the Xindi homeworld so who did?"

The doctor's eyes glittered but not with pleasure. There was a gravity there as his natural good humour was twisted into something akin to physical pain. "That was the entity known as the Master. Though I do not imagine he performed the task himself."

"What do you mean?"

The Doctor pulled a face and straightened his back before responding. "This being likes to manipulate other species into doing his dirty work for him. Look how he used the Xindi. Deliberately destroying their homeworld in the future in order to manipulate them in the present."

"But why us? The Xindi had never even heard of us before. How did this entity know about Humans?"

"It knew about Vulcans too."

A horrible thought suddenly occurred to the Lieutenant. "Everybody keeps on saying the Zenari lie. So do the Xindi and so obviously does this non-corporeal lifeform."

"Your point, Lieutenant?"

"What if the Expanse was meant to be a prison but the Master has found a way in and out? What if he only pretends to be imprisoned?"

"Why would you think that?"

"It would explain how he knows about species he would otherwise never have met."

"You forget about time travel."

Lt. Reed nodded and accepted the diversion like an olive branch. "Yes, of course. Time travel."

Long after the Lieutenant had left him the doctor stood gazing out of the stars. The burden of his knowledge even heavier than it had been before. They had escaped this time but so had the enemy. Even with Zeon blasted to smithereens they had no way of knowing if the Master had been injured or destroyed. And if he did have a trap door, an exit and entry no one knew about, who could say what that would mean for the future? But he had no proof. No way of knowing. The doctor sighed softly and knew his place would remain among the Humans for as long as Enterprise needed him. After all. The fate of the Human Race and thus them all might one day depend on it.

* * * * *

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Ooooh... sending shiver's down my spine with that last sentence. You did great with this Ali D! I love this story! It's really great! I hope you do more stories in the future... you certainly have a talent!

Yay!!! Awesome. Though I did want to see how things'd turn out, and in that way I'm glad it's finished, I'd also like to know what happened after this. Thanks for the story Ali.

Brilliant, Ali! I loved this piece! I do hope you have another story up that talented sleeve of yours! Thank you! :-)

Fine bit of writing, Alison!

Oh I must re-read and make sure that I've missed nothing. You answered a few but left many more questions unanswered!

I really love the TnT you created.

*snicker* Hoshi -- didn't recognize Trip with clothes on ;-)

Ah, thank you! That was a wonderful end to a perfect story!

Terrific story, Alison. You had me guessing right up to the end and that was a scary ending, with the implicaiton that the Master is still out there, somewhere in time and space. It's been great to read a story that has a complex plot and takes off in entirely its own direction, while staying true to the characters used. Looking forward to the next one, although I'll definitely be reading this one again from the beginning to be sure I followed all the twists and turns.

Wow! that's a great story. Hope more to come. thanks!

Fantastic story. Well written and well thought out.

Oh my goodness, what a story. Could not stop til I got to the end! You had everything in here -- lots and lots of TnT, complex plot twists, truly scary villains and angst galore. I'm so glad this was a finished story or I think I would have screamed at this point because I got hooked in early! Thanks for a magnificent read.

sorry I don't agree with the above.......WAY too long and convoluted and wordy for my taste.
I liked some of the threads but I found it repetitive.

I have not yet read this. However, while compiling the parts into a continuous, cohesive composition (aka a Word file), I found that the Part 14 link at the end of Part 13 needs fixing. It currently points to itself, and you are returned to the beginning of Part 13. (Like the old indexing practical joke: One entry says "Closed Loop - see Loop, Closed", while the other entry says - you got it - "Loop, Closed - see Closed Loop".)

I've fixed the link between chapters 13 and 14 and added links back to the Menu page for "Unbound."