Chapter Text
The Doctor drew Ace’s attention towards the Tardis door. “Let’s see what’s out there!”
Ace scowled, “Oi, drop the act, Professor!”
“Sorry, Ace?”
“Last three trips, you made out like you didn't know where you were, and then it turns out you'd set everything up all in advance. I'm not buying it, not a fourth time.”
“Oh, Ace, you're too cynical…”
“You did have a plan, though, on the last planet.”
“Well, that was one I'd set up the last time I'd visited. I didn't actually recognise the place, not immediately. It had changed so much!”
“And the one before that.”
“I'd completely forgotten about that one. Still can't remember it. I'm not sure it wasn't a future self, to be honest.”
“What about Gauda Prime, then? In that final confrontation, with that Federation corpse-wagon, you said you'd gone there deliberately to pick up the bodies.”
“Ah. Well…”
“Go on, Professor.”
“I was lying.”
“Lying? So you lie!”
“I lie all the time, Ace. You must have noticed that. But not to you.” said the Doctor, before mumbling something else.
“Was that an unless, Professor?”
“Unless it was necessary.”
“And is it necessary now, Doctor?”
“No. I think I know where we are supposed to be. But I want to get your take on it without any interference from me. That's assuming we're even where we're supposed to be.”
“Which, yeah, I get the point. Whatever you've got planned here, is it dangerous?”
“No more so than usual.”
“Fine.”
Ace pressed the Tardis door release button, and they went out into the world.