The soft green moss glistened in the early morning sun. Wild flowers speckled the rugged hillside opening their petals to greet the day with a wondrous fragrance. Jordan would have found all of this breathtaking if she hadn't been running for her life. The adrenaline that had been driving the thin, blonde humanoid forward had already begun to diminish. An ever-increasing distance was growing between her and the man who had saved her life. Parker's khaki trench coat flowed effortlessly behind him as his long even strides carried him across the landscape.

"Parker! I can't go on!" Jordan cried as she collapsed to her knees exhausted. Her heart felt as if it was going to explode as she tried desperately to catch her breath. Parker came back for her. His reckless bohemian face hadn't even broken a sweat while Jordan's brow was wet with perspiration.

"We can't stop now," Parker urged, "our only hope is to reach the ridge where a transport will be waiting for us."

"How do you know it's there?" Jordan gasped.

"Because I know." Parker grabbed her firmly by the hand and pulled her forward and back into a run just as the menacing silver pursuers came into view.

When they reached the top of the hill, Parker caught sight of the transport vehicle and he gave Jordan's hand a squeeze.

"I told you it would be there, Jordan." His dark eyes met hers and she smiled wearily at him.

Parker turned to the transport and studied it carefully. A cold chill ran down his spine as he realised that the driver inside the transport wasn't moving. He released his grip on Jordan's hand, and she could tell by the expression on his face that something was definitely wrong.

"You wait here," he handed her his laser pistol, "cover me."

"But I don't know how to use this."

"Hasn't your friend, the Master, taught you how to fire a laser pistol?" Jordan shook her head. Parker half-smiled at her. "He's probably worried that you'd use it on him. Look, all you have to do is point and squeeze this trigger," Parker hesitated for a second, "and just make sure you're not aiming at me!"

She frowned at him holding the pistol tightly in her pale hands while Parker cautiously approached the transport. Jordan turned to see the relentless silver giants cresting the hill. She swallowed hard. Jordan wasn't easily frightened but there was something about these soulless robotic beings that chilled her to the bone. She aimed the laser pistol as best she could and fired. The force from the gun knocked her slight frame back a few steps but her aim was accurate enough. She struck the right arm of the leading Cyberman almost blowing it off completely. The injured Cyberlieutenant ripped his dangling limb out of its socket and tossed it to the ground.

Parker threw open the door to the transport. His face paled at the sight, the driver was dead, shot at point blank. He pulled out the body and called for Jordan. Jordan ran toward Parker, but stopped when she saw the driver lying in the road.

"He's dead!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, and so will we be, if we don't get out of here. Get in!"

Jordan jumped over the body and climbed inside the transport. He started the engine and they lurched forward as blasts from the Cybermen's weapons struck the ground around them.

By the time the three Cybermen had reached the road, Parker and Jordan were well ahead of them. "They won't get far," said the one-armed Cyberlieutenant. He held up a tracking device that blinked a strong signal, then spoke into a communicator embedded into his remaining arm. "A transport is needed. Transmitting co-ordinates now."

***

Aiden stood before the Cyberleader. He held his closely shaved head up high and looked the Leader squarely in the face. His blue eyes staring darkly into the blank holes that the Cyberleader had for eyes. He had made a sweet deal with the Cybermen that would make him very rich and now it was all about to go sour. The Cyberleader swung out his powerful arm and hit Aiden firmly on the chest knocking him to the ground.

"You did not deliver all the humanoids to us."

"They were easy targets for you," Aiden growled as he picked his muscular body up, "it's not my fault if your incompetent robot friends let them escape."

"Do not blame the Cyber race for your inadequacy," retorted the Cyberleader. "You failed us, now you will die."

"Wait a minute," he wavered. The Cyberleader approached ominously toward Aiden, who began backing himself up until there was no where to go. Aiden had a strong sense of survival. He would stop at nothing to prevent himself from being killed or harvested. The Leader wrapped his hand around Aiden's neck, and as he tightened his grip, Aiden knew he had only one chance of getting out of this alive, and he took it. "I'll get you what you really want, I'll get you Parker!"

However tempted, the Leader ignored Aiden's offer. He was more interested in the changes in the humanoid's heart rate and body temperature as he varied the strength of his grip around its neck. The Cyberleader had always been intrigued by the struggle for life, and the more he made the specimen suffer, the more interesting it became. He would not kill Aiden yet, he decided.

"Leader, the Time Lord wishes to speak with you," interrupted a Cyberguard. The Cyberleader turned to face the Master dragging Aiden's body roughly with him. The impeccably groomed Time Lord scowled at the Cyberleader's attempt to intimidate him. It was a stratagem that he was all too familiar with, for the Master had used it successfully several times over himself. The Cyberleader's unyielding cruelty was made clear through the bulging of Aiden's eyes as he struggled to snatch even the smallest breath of air. The Master was hit hard by unfamiliar feelings of morality that raced furiously to the surface. He was confused and angered by it. "Let him go!" He was surprised by the words that came out of his mouth.

"What is this creature to you? Why does it matter if it lives or dies?" The Cyberleader inquired in its flat monotone voice, still not easing his grip on Aiden.

"It doesn't," replied the Master trying to maintain his cool exterior, "I just don't have the desire to stand around and watch you kill this wretched humanoid." The Master cracked his knuckles. "Kill him on your own time, not mine."

The Cyberleader dropped Aiden roughly at the Master's feet. Aiden clutched his throat and gasped for air. "So I will."

A Cyberguard stepped in and dragged Aiden away.

"I have the information that you require," the Master said casually.

"I warn you, Time Lord, if you betray us you will surely die."

"I have no need to betray you," the Master answered almost insulted by the remark. "It makes no difference to me if you harvest every pathetic humanoid on the face of this planet and off of any of the other planets I am providing you co-ordinates for." He picked a small speck of lint off of his long black jacket. "As long as I get what I need to fully restore the TARDIS, you have no need to fear me."

"The Cyber race fears no one. Fear is an emotion of the weak. We have no emotions, therefore we are not weak," the Cyberleader stated.

"Perhaps fear was the wrong choice of words then," the Master said softly. "Let's just say that I know what your weakness is and I have no qualms about sharing that with the inhabitants of this planet."

***

"We're safe for the time being," Parker said, slipping off his trench coat. From the moment they first met they had been running from the Cybermen. Parker was a discerning man. She drew on his strength and felt safe.

"I never got a chance to thank you for saving my life."

Parker shrugged casually sitting next to her. "Glad I was able to."

"Where are we?"

"This used to be the base for the resistance until a couple of days ago when the Cybermen attacked the village. They caught us off guard, and we lost a lot of good people."

"I'm sorry."

Parker stood up trying to shake the memories from his mind. He ran his long fingers through his unruly dark hair. "Not as much as I am."

Jordan chewed on her lower lip as Parker stared vacantly out the window. She could sense the pain he was going through and felt sorry for him.

"Why are you doing this, Parker?" she asked, finally breaking the uneasy silence. "You're not from this planet, this isn't your fight."

Parker turned to her with an unassuming smile. "True, but it has become my fight. Tell me Jordan, what happened between you and the Master? Why did he leave you to survive on your own against the Cybermen?"

***

The Master strode confidently into the sparse control room of the Cyber warship followed by the Cyberleader. He looked around, silently impressed with their ever-increasing level of technology. Assimilation had been profitable to them. The Cyberleader indicated to a neatly stacked pile of electronic equipment.

"You will find everything there that you requested."

The Master groomed his black beard thoughtfully, "Ah good." He took a step toward the equipment only to be blocked by the strong outstretched arm of a Cyberguard. "Not until you give us the data crystal," said the Cyberleader.

"How do I know that everything is there unless I examine it for myself?" sighed the Master, hiding his contempt for the Cyber race.

"It is."

"Forgive me, Leader, but past experience has made me a little distrustful of the word of a Cyberman."

"No more so than we distrust the word of a Time Lord."

The Master smiled slightly at the Cyberleader. "Touché. All right, a show of good faith. I will give you the co-ordinates for one of the planets that appear on the disk," he patted his breast pocket, "in exchange for a close examination of the electronic components."

The Cyberleader waved the Cyberguard back.

"The planet Pakesh. An earth colony, a small but healthy start to your cause," the Master said, as he slid the data crystal into the navigation unit and recalled the co-ordinates for the planet. The Master removed the crystal and returned it safely into his inner pocket. "Relax Leader," the Master urged as he sat down comfortably on the console, "it will take a few minutes for your mother ship to confirm the co-ordinates."

***

"I went out exploring on my own," Jordan explained sheepishly. "He doesn't even know that I'm gone."

"So now comes the question of what will the Master do once he does find out?"

"That's why I've got to get back to the TARDIS."

"Are you worried he'll leave without you?"

"No, Machiavelli wouldn't do that."

"Machiavelli?" Parker raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm surprised that the Master hasn't used his tissue compression eliminator on you for calling him that."

"I had to call him something since I flatly refused to call him Master."

Parker smiled at her defiance then his face suddenly grew dark. "He's an evil man, Jordan. Don't go back to him. You're young and naive. I know what diabolic crimes he is capable of committing and will commit. And it's only a matter of time before he grows weary of your company, and kills you."

Jordan stood up and moved away from Parker. His words frightened her. Could the man she saved on Altagen really be so evil? She shook her head. "He would never do anything to hurt me."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

A creaking of a floorboard outside the room alerted Parker to the fact that they were not alone. He drew his laser pistol and made Jordan take cover behind the crates. The door opened slowly. "Parker? You in here?"

Parker recognised the voice immediately. "Aiden!" The door swung open and Aiden stepped inside. Parker grinned at his friend. "I'd almost given up on you."

"I'd never let you down," Aiden smiled.

Parker gave him a welcoming clap on the back. Jordan stood up and Parker introduced her.

"This is Jordan, I found her running from the Cybermen."

"You're not from Enmax, are you?" Aiden asked suspiciously.

"Jordan and a friend only arrived yesterday," Parker answered.

"Bad timing on her part." Aiden turned to Jordan. "Your friend, he wouldn't be a Time Lord, would he?"

Jordan looked at him surprised. "You know him?"

Aiden hesitated, then nodded, "He's in league with the Cybermen!"

***

The Master was busy examining his cuticles when the confirmation of the existence of the planet Pakesh came through from the mother ship.

"You may examine the equipment, Time Lord," said the Cyberleader.

The Master contained his eagerness as he slowly stood up and smoothed out his jacket before advancing on the stack of electronic components.

***

"How did you get those bruises around your neck?" Jordan stared unwaveringly at Aiden awaiting his answer. She didn't trust him and his arrogance irked her.

"A Cyberman tried to strangle me," he sneered, offering no further explanation. Parker had been curious about the marks around Aiden's neck as well and unlike Jordan was satisfied with his answer.

"These weapons are useless against the Cybermen," Parker growled he set his laser pistol down.

"It's all we've got."

"But they're wiping out the resistance, and in a few days there won't be any of us left to save this planet from them."

"You still think we can?" Aiden asked unconvinced that such a feat was possible.

"Yes I do," Parker answered firmly.

"Machiavelli would know how to defeat the Cybermen," Jordan said softly.

"The Master helps no one but himself," Parker chided.

"Besides, I already told you whose side he's on," added Aiden with contempt. Jordan scowled at him. Parker sensed the tension between them and didn't like it. Aiden picked up Parker's laser pistol and tucked it into his belt. "We better get moving."

Parker slid on his trench coat and Jordan reluctantly followed them out of the room.

The hair on the back of Jordan's thin neck began to prickle when they stepped into the dimly lit loading dock where Parker had left the transport. She reached out towards Parker who instinctively grabbed her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Aiden switched on the lights, and Jordan gasped. Five heavily armed Cybermen surrounded them.

"What the hell?" Parker instinctively reached for his laser pistol but it wasn't there. He turned and saw the coldness in Aiden's eyes.

The one-armed Cyberlieutenant thrust the muzzle of his blaster into Parker's chest. "You will come with us." He then turned and faced Jordan. "And you, will be harvested."

"I'd rather die!" Jordan said defiantly.

"As you wish." The Cyberlieutenant turned his gun to Jordan's head.

"No!" Aiden pushed the Cyber blaster away from Jordan.

"Take them away," ordered the Cyberlieutenant. A Cyberguard grabbed Parker by the arm and dragged him away. Another took Jordan and pushed her forward into a waiting transport. The Cyberlieutenant turned to Aiden.

"You have done well."

Aiden smiled to himself. He was about to be richer than he ever imagined.

***

The Master stepped back completely satisfied with the quality of the electrical components. His TARDIS would be back working one hundred percent in no time, providing of course, he was able to get back with the equipment alive.

"Give us the data crystal, Time Lord," demanded the Cyberleader, obviously tired of waiting.

"Be patient Leader you will get the crystal as promised, once I get the equipment back to my TARDIS," the Master answered readily.

"That is unacceptable." The Cyberleader nodded to a Cyberguard who scooped up the container holding the electrical components while another aimed a blaster at the Master.

"Oh come now, Leader, you don't honestly believe that I would bring the original data crystal with me into the heart of a Cyber warship and expect to get out alive?" The Leader remained silent. "Give me some credit."

"I warned you that if you betrayed us, you would die."

"I am not betraying you!" laughed the Master. "I will give you the co-ordinates to another planet, to prove that I will honour our agreement. After that we will meet and do our exchange on neutral ground."

"That is satisfactory," replied the Cyberleader. The Cyberguard lowered his weapon and the Master returned to the navigation console and slipped in the data crystal entering in another set of co-ordinates. "The planet Altagen, an aggressive and inhospitable race, which I am personally pleased to hand over for harvesting. May you reap well on their souls," he hissed.

***

Parker sat silently in the back of the transport with a Cyber blaster glued to his head. He hated being separated from Jordan, and all he could do was hope she was safe for the time being. Although thankful for it, he was curious to why Aiden had saved her life. As the transport sped across the Enmax landscape Parker devised a plan of action. He would escape once he got to the Cyber warship, he was certain of that. He would then rescue Jordan and the others before the Cybermen had a chance to transport them to the conversion unit on the mother ship. Parker shifted his eyes to where Aiden was sitting smugly in the front seat of the transport. A deep burning hatred pushed its way to the surface and he reconsidered his plan. First, he would kill Aiden.

***

The Master stood with the tips of his fingers pressed together staring at the navigation console. The confirmation of the co-ordinates for the planet Altagen was taking far too long for his liking. He reached into his inside pocket and on the opposite side of the data crystal he felt the reassuring touch of his glitter gun. He had no doubts about his capability of getting out alive, so he relaxed slightly.

The door to the control room slid open and the Cyberlieutenant pushed Parker inside. The Master raised an eyebrow at the one-armed Cyberman and pitied the poor soul whose aim hadn't been accurate enough, then his eyes landed on Parker who was straightening himself up and a brief smile spread across his face. The Cyberleader stepped in front of Parker.

"The resistance is no longer a threat. Your death will make harvesting this planet much easier," the Cyberleader proclaimed.

"Don't count on it, these people will not give up without a fight. Besides," grinned Parker, "I don't die that easily."

The Cyberleader fastened his steel like fingers around Parker's throat, and the Master found himself unintentionally wincing at the sight. The sensors in the Cyberleader's fingertips read something entirely unexpected. He removed his hand from Parker's throat.

"You are not from Enmax."

"You don't say!" Parker answered in mock surprise.

"I could have told you that," Aiden said with contempt. The Master snapped his head around. He hadn't noticed Aiden slip in. He sensed Parker's negative reaction towards Aiden and he was intrigued by it. It also meant that he wasn't the only one making a deal with the Cybermen.

"Leader. We have confirmation of the existence of the planet Altagen," announced the Cyberman at the navigation console. "It is acceptable for harvesting."

The Cyberleader turned to the Master. "Let us get the exchange over with." The Master bowed slightly in response to the order.

"Cyberleader, we need to talk," Aiden interrupted. "I have something very important to discuss with you." He glanced over at the Master. The Cyberleader led the way out of the control room followed by a Cyberguard.

The Master came down to greet Parker with a bounce in his step. "Parker!" the Master beamed. "My dearest cousin, it's so wonderful to see you again."

The carefully placed smile on the Master's face was not reciprocated in Parker's.

"I wish I could say the same about you."

"I have been so worried about you," the Master continued, "how did you ever manage to escape from the maniacal dregs of Telus Prime? I meant to come back and help you out, but I got distracted. Empires to crumble, worlds to conquer, that sort of thing."

"It cost me a regeneration, you know," Parker growled.

"Yes, well it happens to the best of us. And now it looks like you're in a spot of trouble again!" The Master frowned slightly.

"What are you doing here?" Parker asked clearly not in the mood for one of the Master's games.

"Oh, just a small exchange of information," he answered airily, "a simple deal with the devil, that's all. Dare I ask the same about you?"

"I was here recuperating from my Telus Prime experience when the Cybermen attacked."

"And you couldn't help but try and be the hero?" The Master grimaced. "When are you going to stop trying to emulate the Doctor? Poking your nose in where it doesn't belong is going to get you killed one of these centuries Parker. You are still calling yourself Parker, aren't you?"

"For the time being. I hear you have a new name," Parker smiled, "Machiavelli."

The Master looked at him sharply. "You've met Jordan then." He narrowed his eyes yet remained calm and collected. "How did you get into my TARDIS?"

Parker laughed, "I didn't. When I found her she was about to be executed by the Cybermen."

"I suppose you expect me to be thankful that you saved her life?" he asked with an edge to his voice.

"No, I know you better than that."

"So where is that wretched child now?" he asked casually through his clenched jaw.

Parker shrugged, "At the moment, I am not too sure. We were separated when we were caught. I assume she is locked away somewhere in the bowels of this warship waiting to be harvested."

The Master's face blanched and for the first time Parker saw something in his rival's eyes that he had never seen before, an actual look of concern for someone other than himself.

***

Jordan wrapped her arms around her knees and sat shivering in the dimly lit holding cell. For the first time since this nightmare had begun Jordan truly felt alone and afraid. Unwanted thoughts of being abandoned by the Master plagued her mind. She tried to knock the thoughts away, but Parker had planted the seeds of doubt, Aiden had watered them, now she found that it was solely up to her whether or not she'd let them grow. She took a deep breath and as she wished Parker was there with her she felt the sting of a solitary tear burn her cheek.

***

The Master thumped his fist into his hand. "I told her to stay in the TARDIS."

"Jordan doesn't seem like the type who does what she is told."

"No she doesn't," the Master answered irritably. "I have half a mind to leave her here just to teach her a bloody lesson." He cracked his knuckles. "I have been looking for a way to rid myself of that annoying girl, and it looks like I've found it."

Parker sighed. "I guess Jordan was wrong about you."

The Master looked at him sideways. "What are you talking about?"

"Well it seems that Jordan is fairly convinced that you won't abandon her here, although I knew you would, and told her so. She also said that you would know how to defeat the Cybermen. Another mistake on her part."

The Master growled, he knew the game Parker was playing yet couldn't stop himself from becoming part of it. As much as he hated to admit it Jordan had become important to him, he couldn't leave her here. Besides, he rationalised, if Jordan was going to die it would be by his hands and not by those of a nefarious Cyberman.

The Master leaned in and lowered his voice. "My TARDIS is two kilometres north east of here at the edge of the quarry. Meet me there in one hour." He pressed his small glitter gun into Parker's hand. "It's filled with gold dust," explained the Master. "Gold is lethal to the Cybermen."

Parker stuffed the gun into the pocket of his trench coat while the Master slipped out of the control room.

***

"Look, I'm giving you more than what you asked for and I just want to be compensated for it." Aiden crossed his arms and stood arrogantly in front of the Cyberleader.

"You delivered us Parker in exchange for your life. Is that not compensation enough?" inquired the Cyberleader.

"I'm not talking about Parker. Guarantee me that you will give me what I've asked for and I'll tell you what your bonus prize is." Aiden licked his lips. His mind focused on what he would get out of the Cyberleader. The Cyberleader nodded and Aiden broke into a smile. "The woman that was brought in with Parker is the Master's companion." The Cyberleader didn't react at all and Aiden sighed heavily wondering how such a race ever expected to rule the universe. "Don't you see? You can use her to get more than just a name of a planet to harvest."

"A Time Lord who would sacrifice thousands of lives to gain mere electronic components would not value the life of one female."

"I wouldn't count on it," Aiden crooned.

"We won't." The Leader turned to the Cyberguard. "Take this humanoid away and put him in the same cell as the female."

"What?" Confusion and anger rampaged through Aiden's mind. "We had a deal!"

"The Cyber race has no need for deals. You have outlived your usefulness and now you will become useful to us in other ways. You will be harvested."

"No!" A sudden surge of panic raced through every fibre of Aiden's body. The Cyberguard clamped his hand down on Aiden's shoulder causing him to buckle slightly under the weight.

"Leader." A voice of a Cyberman came through on the intercom system. "Parker has escaped."

"I hope he kills you all!" Aiden shouted as the guard dragged him away.

***

"You never were punctual, were you Parker?" The Master quipped as Parker stepped inside the TARDIS.

"It would've helped if you had told me what you had your TARDIS camouflaged as."

"Oh dear," the Master said with mock horror, "didn't I tell you?" He held out his hand and Parker reluctantly dropped the small glitter gun into it. "It came in useful then?"

"Once I figured out how to use the damn thing," grumbled Parker.

"I am forgetful!" The Master blinked innocently at him.

Parker glanced around and noticed a large soft chair breaking the cold sparseness of the console room. "It looks like you've been doing some redecorating since I was here last." Parker threw himself down into the chair.

"That's Jordan's chair," the Master said with disdain.

"She's got taste," Parker commented then looked sharply at the Master. "Well in some things." The Master gave him a menacing glare, which Parker ignored. "Tell me, how did you end up with her? You're the last Time Lord I would have ever expected to have a travelling companion. Or are you trying to emulate the Doctor?"

"She saved my life," the Master answered, matter of fact.

"Really?" Parker was surprised at the thought. "So in exchange you're letting her travel the universe throughout time and space with you?"

"Not exactly."

"Well then what exactly?"

"When I realised that by her saving my life, she was condemning herself, I had no choice but to take her with me."

"I didn't think that benevolence was in your vocabulary."

"Normally it isn't." The Master ran his fingers through his dark hair, "But this latest - regeneration -"

"Regeneration?" Parker scoffed. "You've used up all your regeneration's."

"Body assumption then!" the Master answered hotly. He wasn't sure which he hated more, the look of disgust on Parker's face or the fact he felt he had to justify his actions. "I do what I have to do to survive."

"It's murder."

"You're no stranger to murder, Parker," he hissed. "You've killed to survive, I have done no less."

Parker dropped his head slightly, he knew the Master was right. "So what went wrong?"

The Master sighed. "It's hard to explain, I've changed, I've become less -"

"Evil?" Parker chirped.

"For a lack of a better word, yes."

"So you're telling me that you've developed a sense of morality?"

"It would appear so."

Parker laughed. The Master was angry with Parker but his reaction was no less than what he expected. He picked up a full sized glitter gun and tossed it to Parker.

"We've wasted enough time."

***

Jordan remained motionless. She didn't trust herself for her dislike for Aiden was so intense that being in the same cell with him was pure torture. Much to her relief he hadn't said a word to her in the whole time they had been together. His arrogance was gone and the desperate look in his eyes made her feel uneasy. Footsteps and the sound of a Cyberguard hitting the floor of the warship broke the silence. Aiden sprang to life and Jordan scrambled to her feet. As two figures came into view a smile spread across her face. She knew she was safe. The Master aimed his sonic screwdriver towards the lock on the cell door. Within seconds the lock clicked and as Parker and the Master stepped into the holding cell Aiden grabbed Jordan. She felt the strength in his arms and knew it wouldn't take much for him to snap her neck.

"Let her go!" the Master thundered, annoyed that Aiden caught him off guard.

"Not until I get out of here." There was tension in Aiden's voice and a faint sheen of sweat covered his face.

"Come on, Aiden," Parker said soothingly, "let Jordan go, and we can all get out together."

"No. I'll let her go only when I'm somewhere safe."

"I can arrange that," promised Parker as he slipped his hand around his laser pistol.

"Aiden," the Master focused on him, his voice sounding calmer yet very much in control. "I saved your life, don't make me regret that decision."

"You saved his life?" Parker asked incredulously. "What a mistake that was!"

In one fluid motion Parker drew his weapon and shot Aiden squarely in the head. Jordan leapt forward and found comfort in the Masters embrace. The Master felt awkward yet at the same time he treasured this new experience. Parker frowned at Aiden's lifeless body and wished things had been different. He turned to Jordan who was still being comforted by the Master and for the first time he envied the Master.

"I've got to rescue the others," Parker said as Jordan separated herself from the Master.

"You won't have much time, they'll try and lift off once they realise their ship has been infiltrated," the Master replied. "I'll go to the control room and slow them down."

Parker nodded. The Master was right, yet past experience told him that it was unwise to fully put his trust in him. He knew he needed something to guarantee the Master's continued support.

"Come with me, Jordan," Parker said slyly. "I'll need your help."

"Alright," Jordan whispered.

The Master bristled, twice now Parker had manipulated him and he didn't like it. He would have to teach Parker a lesson.

***

The instant he stepped into the control room the Master knew he had made a mistake. Waiting to greet him was the Cyberleader and an ever present Cyberguard with a weapon levelled at him. Without taking his eyes off the Cyberleader the Master surveyed the control room catching sight of his coveted electronic components. The Master knew that the stiff moving Cybermen were no match for his wit or speed. He kept his glitter gun aimed at the Leaders chest.

"You are predicable Time Lord," the Cyberleader said breaking the silence.

The Master was irritated by his comment. The last thing he ever considered himself as being was predictable. He sighed heavily and shrugged at the Cyberleader. "It comes with age, I suppose."

"We know you helped Parker escape."

"Really? My you are somewhat intelligent after all!" The Master edged towards the electronic components.

"We also know that you have just aided Parker in freeing the female." The Leader also moved towards the components. "I have dispatched my guards. Your friends won't get out alive."

"Do you really think I care what happens to them?" the Master laughed. "It was only a diversion so I could get in here and collect what is mine."

"But it is not yours. Not until you give us the data crystal."

The Master slowly reached into his inner pocket and pulled out the crystal and held it up for the Cyberleader to see.

"Catch!" the Master shouted, playfully tossing it across to the Cyberleader. As the Leader caught the crystal, the Master fired his glitter gun at the Cyberguard. The guard collapsed ungracefully to the floor with cooling foam venting from his chest. The Leader stood holding the crystal and the Master pointed the glitter gun at him.

"You have what you want, now I will take what I want." The Master reached out for the electronic components and a burst of laser fire seared passed him. The close proximity of the blast burned his hand making him drop his glitter gun. The electronic pieces burst into flames. The Master spun around his eyes flashing with rage to find himself face to face with the one-armed Cyberlieutenant.

"Kill him," ordered the Leader.

Before the Cyberlieutenant could fire his weapon a laser blast struck him sending him staggering back, the Master dove to the ground securing his glitter gun and fired, destroying the Cyberlieutenant. With lightening speed the Master spun around and shot the Cyberleader in the chest. The Leader cried out as the gold dust filled his respiratory system. He toppled over crushing the data crystal under the weight of his body. The Master turned to see who saved his life. Jordan grinned at him.

"I am getting into the habit of saving your life, aren't I?"

***

A brilliant bonfire lit up the evening sky. Echoing through the valley was a cacophony of music, laughter and endless chatter. The inhabitants of Enmax were relishing their freedom, something that they would never take for granted again. The Master stood alone amidst the revelry. He had lost sight of Jordan and assumed she was with Parker. He rubbed his hands together, now would be the perfect time to make his escape, he thought. But before he could move, Jordan was at his side her hand gently resting on his arm.

"I knew Parker was wrong about you."

The Master dusted off his jacket, "And why is that?"

Jordan shrugged then smiled gently at him. "Thank you for rescuing me."

"I wouldn't have had to if you had listened to me in the first place and stayed put in the TARDIS," the Master scolded.

"I am not staying put anywhere," Jordan answered defiantly. "I go where you go."

"You almost got yourself killed."

"Yeah, well... so did you," she retorted. The Master sighed, he knew it was a useless battle. Jordan glanced over at the smouldering remnants of the Cyber warship.

"Will they come back?" she asked.

The Master shook his head. "The people of Enmax know their weakness, so it wouldn't be logical. And if anything, the Cybermen are logical beings. They will find a different planet to harvest."

"No thanks to you." Parker's icy comment came from behind and it ruffled the Master.

"If you're so concerned, Parker, you can always hop into your TARDIS and nip over and save another planet from their evil clutches." The Master's voice dripped with contempt.

"I might just do that," Parker replied lightly.

"You've got a TARDIS?" Jordan was surprised. "You mean you're a Time Lord too?"

"Yes. We're from the same house on Gallifrey."

"Is that your home planet, Gallifrey?" Parker nodded. Jordan turned to the Master. "Will you take me there someday?"

Parker snickered, and the Master glowered at him. "He's not welcome on Gallifrey, anymore."

"Last I heard neither were you," the Master shot back.

Parker spread open his arms. "All has been forgiven. I wouldn't let it bother you though, you'll always be welcome here on Enmax. It's also a shame you didn't get what you came for." Parker said insincerely.

"Who says I didn't?" the Master smiled triumphantly. "It's time we were leaving, Jordan."

Jordan nodded and turned to face Parker. She took hold of his hands.

"Thank you Parker, for everything." Jordan leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek. Parker felt the stirrings of emotions. Instantly he knew he couldn't let her go.

"Come with me," he asked still holding her hands.

Jordan was surprised by his offer, she looked to the Master for guidance but he refused to meet her eye, he didn't want her to go with Parker, but he certainly wasn't about to ask her not to. Jordan let go of Parker's hand. She had made her decision.

"I'm sorry, I can't. He needs me."

"I need no one!" the Master declared arrogantly annoyed at the thought, and afraid of the possibility.

"Perhaps you're right," Parker grinned at Jordan. "Take care of yourself, Jordan." Parker poked his finger at the Master. "Next time you won't be so lucky."

"Neither will you," the Master snarled under his breath. He smiled slightly as Parker disappeared into the crowd. He grabbed Jordan by the hand.

"Come on, Jordan. The universe awaits."