ZERO HOUR

	Far into the future, beyond the lifetimes of countless stars, planets, and galaxies, one world, Gallifrey, remains intact, orbiting a massive, dying red giant. The empty space surrounding this apparently makeshift star system is littered with the rocky corpses of older worlds, and a few fragments of advanced starships from an age and civilization long passed. Gallifrey itself, however, appears to soon have to suffer the same fate, as the surface on most of the southern region of the planet is burst open, fragmented, revealing the planet’s molten inner layer, coupled with intense volcanic activity that rattles the world to the core. To the north, some cities remain, clinging to the charred skin of this once, beautiful, ancient homeworld to the Time Lords. One of these cities, known as the Capitol, sits comfortably between the vast mountain ranges of Solstice and Solitude, looking down upon the remainder of what civilization is left of this long endangered race.

	Bax, an Imperial Guard, stands proudly and astute on the edge of an observation tower platform in the Citadel, the massive domed complex that is the centerpiece to the Capitol. He awaits orders from his superior, Castellan Taslin. Inside, behind him, lies the Council Chamber, where, historically, members of the High Council convene to conduct the mundane business of bureaucracy, a staple invention of the Time Lords. Even behind the thick, engraved metal doors, he hears Taslin arguing with several members of the High Council, and General Kone included. Bax couldn’t understand anything they were saying, until a member of the High Council screamed above the others:

“The Doctor is a criminal, you idiots!”

	Almost everyone on Gallifrey, Time Lords and natives, was familiar with the renegade “The Doctor”. Bax had never met the man, but based on what he had heard about him from people like Taslin, he sounded extremely unpleasant and dangerous. However, many regard him as a hero, specifically the native Gallifreyans. Thinking about this, Bax expresses his pity for the poor, uneducated plebeians that cannot, or have not ascended to become Time Lords. The only person any of them have to look up to is some idiot thief that somehow became Lord President. Twice!

	His thoughts are interrupted by the chamber doors being thrown open by Taslin. He turns quickly, maintaining his military bearing.

	“Let’s go,” Taslin says sharply. “I’ve had enough of these idiots for today!” Taslin storms angrily around the circular hallway to the grav-lifts, Bax keeping pace behind her.