[063: Video | Private to Bob]

[shortsightedlove]

I've finished with the file; it was an... interesting read. I assume you will want it back?

Comments

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

Why don't you come and we'll talk about it?

[shortsightedlove]

[Why do you always insist on meeting in person :c] If I must.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

It'll be easier for me, but 'must' is too strong a word. I'd like for you to come and talk.

[shortsightedlove]

Fine. I'll be there soon. [That warden is far too reasonable.]

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

[Bob gets the usual preparations done for his arrival.]

[shortsightedlove]

[Rassilon knocks on his door a few minutes later.]

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

[Bob opens the door and lets him in. Only when the door closes does he speak.] Interesting, you said?

[shortsightedlove]

Yes. What else did you expect?

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

It's not my expectations at interest. [Your tea.]

[shortsightedlove]

[He takes a sip.] It was an... accurate description of my life. And what it said about the reasons I am here was not... all expected.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

So we've been on the wrong track? What should we be focusing on?

[shortsightedlove]

Oh, that's not it. I simply thought that it was mainly because of the Final Sanction; I didn't really expect much else being there. But they are things I have been told to do something about before.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

Like what?

[shortsightedlove]

...My temper, my attitude towards aliens.... [Being a tyrant -- which he isn't! Really! Stupid file.]

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

[Bob makes a sound while nodding. Oh, yes, those are problems all right.] Anything else?

[shortsightedlove]

...No. [I'm not telling you about the tyrant thing :c]

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

Come on, Rassilon. I'm nothing but honest with you. I don't think it's too much to expect you return the favour.

[shortsightedlove]

...I'm not lying to you. It's nonsense. [And therefore of no interest.]

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

Then you shouldn't be worried about telling me.

[shortsightedlove]

Apparently I was too... forceful while ruling. But it was a war. Being merciful towards traitors during a war is hardly wise.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

My father served in what was called the Great War. Passchendaele, in the trenches. Have you ever heard of the Drum Head Trials?

[shortsightedlove]

No. Why?

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

It was a brutal war. Armaments were at a point never before seen, people were trapped in muddy holes. No food, no heat, no medical supplies, bombs going off around them constantly, afraid of lighting a cigarette, mustard gas robbing them of their sight. All of them children. My father was no more than fifteen years of age, having lied to get there.

Duty. It gripped them with a fervour. They had no idea what they were in for. Unless you were an officer, safely away from The Front.

Under those conditions, you would feel that it would be a perfectly natural reaction for some of those children to flee.

[He shook his head.]

The officers disagreed. They would upend a drum on the battlefield, sit at it and dispense summary justice, quick decisions were made and the punishment was severe. No chance of appeal. You came before a Drumhead, you were doomed and no mistake.

[He takes a moment to drink some tea.] You'll often hear me talk about my mother, a strong, determined woman who has my respect. But my father, oh, he was no less respectable than she, but there was... something, irretrievably broken about him.

[shortsightedlove]

[He frowns and takes a sip himself, a bit uncomfortable.] I'm not talking about murdering frightened children. [That's wrong. Would he do that? ...No, surely not. Hush, he's not in denial at all.] I'm talking about actual traitors, those who would rather see Gallifrey burn than try to save it.

[bob_fraser_rcmp]

No, but they believed that they were fully, completely in the right. That these boys were cowards, which was the worst crime imaginable in their eyes. There was no time for a fair trial and emotions were high.